Reptiles are diverse in their diets, from the meat-gobbling crocodile to the lettuce-loving tortoise. A thorough dietary history allows the veterinarian to identify potential nutritional problems early.
Herbivorous reptiles should be fed a high quality cubed or pelleted hay such as alfalfa legume ration (high in fiber) and fresh grass hay, ideally from an untreated lawn. Fresh vegetables and fruit should also be fed, in varying amounts.
Herbivorous
Despite the fact that some reptiles are apex predators and must consume animal meat to survive, many types of reptiles can also make use of plant-based food in their diets. The dietary requirements of different species vary according to climatic and environmental factors, evolutionary history and habitats. Nevertheless, herbivorous reptiles can live well on a balanced diet consisting of vegetables and fruits.
Herbivorous reptiles can be fed a high quality commercial reptile pellet diet, which should make 크레스티드게코 up 25%-50% of their total daily intake. These products should be augmented with fresh greens and fruit, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is important to choose a greens mix with low levels of oxalate, to prevent the development of kidney stones in herbivorous reptiles.
It is recommended to avoid feeding herbivorous reptiles too much animal-based foods, such as mouse and insect prey, which is not suited to their digestive system and can lead to indigestion. The energy density of animal-based foods is lower than that of plant-based food. For example, eight times as much vegetable matter is required to provide the same amount of energy as one mouse or insect. In addition, the high fibre content of such foods can overwhelm the gut capacity of some herbivorous reptiles.
Herbivorous reptiles can also be fed a high quality grass hay or so-called herbs-hay, which should be made up of 1%-50% of the total diet. This should be rich in vitamins and minerals, especially those containing vitamin A (to limit the likelihood of squamous metaplasia) and vitamin D (for healthy bon 크레스티드게코 e formation).
Omnivorous
The omnivorous reptile diet is one that includes both plant and animal protein sources. This type of diet is ideal for lizards like the bearded dragon and green iguana as well as tortoises such as the uromastyx lizard. It is important that this diet contains both vegetable and animal proteins to provide the reptile with the complete nutrition it requires.
Animal proteins can come from earthworms, crickets, flies, worms and fish as well as commercial dog foods or turtle pellets. In general, these proteins should not account for more than 20% of the reptile’s diet. High protein diets can result in skeletal abnormalities such as the pyramiding of the shell seen in chelonian reptiles.
In the wild, omnivorous reptiles will use their senses to find food. They will use their eyes to look for it, touch the ground to feel for a meal underneath them, smell it and listen to the sounds of it approaching. Some lizards will even stick their tongues out to catch scent particles that have wafted into the air from the movement of the prey.
Herbivorous reptiles need a diet that is high in fiber and low in starch. They should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens and fruits daily. Avoid feeding a herbivore cat or dog food as it is too high in protein and can cause mineral imbalances.
Carnivorous
A reptile that eats meat or protein for the majority of its diet is considered carnivorous. These include snakes, alligators, caimans, crocodiles and a variety of marine crustaceans. A shark is the most well-known carnivorous animal, but dolphins are also carnivores.
Carnivores require high intakes of protein and fat. They need a nutrient-rich diet that contains all of the essential amino acids. They also require high amounts of calcium and phosphorous. The digestive tracts of most reptiles are designed to efficiently use dietary fat and protein for fuel. This is in contrast to herbivores who need a diet that includes a significant amount of soluble carbohydrates and fermentable fiber.
Insects, the food of many insectivorous reptiles, are high in both protein and soluble carbohydrates. Ideally, the insects should be gut loaded or dusted to ensure that the reptile receives quality protein. It is also important to feed these reptiles a variety of foods in order to provide them with a diverse range of nutrients.
A carnivorous diet is not recommended for people who have heart disease, diabetes or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The diet may also be dangerous for people who do not have a gallbladder, those with kidney disease or those taking medications. A qualified health coach can help you determine if the diet is right for you.
Insectivorous
Reptiles follow different diets depending on their type (herbivores, omnivores or carnivores). Regardless of the diet followed, it is very important for reptiles to be kept in a proper captive environment that meets all their environmental needs.
Insectivorous reptiles, like Leopard Geckos and young Chinese Water Dragons, are primarily insect eaters and require a varied diet. In the wild, these animals eat insects, frogs, amphibians, fish, mammals and other reptiles. They are able to hunt and forage using sight, touch, taste, smell and the ability to sense vibrations or the sound of their prey.
Captive insectivores should be fed gut loaded or dusted insects, such as crickets, mealworms and the occasional wax worm. Wingless fruit flies are also an excellent source of nutrition for insectivores. Crickets and mealworms have good nutritional profiles, but do not provide the necessary dietary balance of fats and proteins for insectivores. They can be supplemented with a variety of commercially produced insects, such as earthworms, maggots and waxworms or with the occasional frozen newborn pinkie mouse to add a source of meat.
A few reptiles are able to store fat in their tail and can get away with consuming high-fat insect options such as waxworms or superworms without hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). However, most of the time these types of food are not necessary for the health and well being of your pet.