Lizards are amazing cold-blooded creatures belonging to the class of reptiles. Most of these small reptiles are predators, but they do not pose any danger to humans. It is for this reason that lizards are often kept at home. What these reptiles eat in nature and how to feed a domestic lizard, we will tell in today's article.

Nutrition of lizards in nature

As mentioned above, most lizards are predators. Under natural conditions, small and medium-sized reptiles feed on invertebrate creatures: worms, insects, molluscs. Larger individuals prefer to hunt fish and vertebrates: snakes, small birds and mammals, frogs, small lizards. Also, their diet may include eggs of reptiles and birds.

On a note: monitor lizards are the largest representatives of lizards, they also attack large mammals: wild boars, deer, sometimes buffaloes.

Some "wild" lizards are herbivores. Such reptiles eat the flowers of plants, their fruits and leaves, various roots, as well as young shoots. Herbivorous lizards feed on pollen and flower nectar.

Feeding lizards at home

• Non-predatory individuals should be given fruits, berries, herbs, plant leaves, vegetables, etc.
• Predatory lizards are fed with insects and their larvae, mice and rats, fish, worms, snails, arthropods, etc.
• All domestic reptiles need to enrich their food with mineral and vitamin substances, which are sold in pet stores.

Note: it is unlikely that your lizard will eat food that does not move at all, so offer your pet live or semi-dead insects.

And further: when feeding a lizard, be sure to take into account the specifics of its wakefulness. No need to wake up your night lizard during the day in order for her to eat.

What not to feed lizards

Some owners are so hospitable that they prefer to pamper their reptile pets with various delicacies. If you are one of these people, then be sure to read that in no case should you give a lizard.

1. Products treated with chemicals. I'll feed my gecko unwashed strawberries, and the gecko took it and died a day later. If you do not want such consequences, then be sure to wash all vegetables, fruits, herbs and berries intended for the pet.
2. Lizards should not be fed food from the human table. It is unlikely that your pet will appreciate French meat or sprat in tomato sauce.
3. Do not give lizards insects that were caught in the apartment, because. they may be poisoned. Also, experts do not recommend offering worm bugs collected in the fields to reptiles. they may contain pesticides. For food for lizards, it is better to go to a pet store or forests and meadows located far from roads.
4. Herbivorous lizards should also not be fed grass and flowers collected in a chemically and pesticide-treated field, as well as along highways. In a pinch, you can grow the right plants right in your house on the windowsill, and not worry about their environmental friendliness.

Fact! Lizards are very voracious, they consume as much food per day as a large bird eats.