There are nearly 6,000 species of lizards. Reptiles differ in habitat, appearance and food preferences. Some lizards are predators, others are herbivores, the third category eats both plant and animal food. Basically, a reptile's diet is influenced by its size. The larger the lizard, the more obvious that it feeds exclusively on living brothers.
Plant foods in the diet of a common lizard
Herbivorous lizards eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and berries. Reptiles that live near vegetable gardens, fruit and vegetable plantations willingly feast on carrots, cabbage, lettuce, apples and even strawberries.
Some species of lizards consider pollen and plant nectar as their favorite food. However, if at the time of examining the flower they come across a small fly or larva, then it will be a good addition to dinner. There are very few lizards that eat only plant foods in nature. There are only a few varieties of such reptiles.
Lizards with two tails are sometimes found. This trait is not a genetic disorder. When a reptile's tail is damaged, a new one begins to grow at the gap.
Food for predatory lizards
Carnivorous lizards mainly feed on animal food. However, in the absence of suitable food, they do not refuse vegetation. Small lizards eat worms, many species of insects, and hunt small vertebrates. Larger reptiles attack smaller birds and eat their eggs. There are lizards that hunt not only amphibians, snakes and small mammals, but also hunt their smaller counterparts and even fish.
The largest lizards, such as monitor lizards, can eat carrion. Moreover, the appearance of a dead animal does not matter to them. It can be a reptile, mammal, or bird.
It is widely believed that the most predatory lizards are monitor lizards. However, there is a variety of these reptiles, which is absolutely indifferent to hunting animals, and feeds exclusively on ants.
Lizards at home
The diet of lizards kept at home should be treated with great responsibility. Vegetables and fruits are common food for herbivorous reptiles. When choosing a grass, you should give preference to clean plants grown away from the carriageways and not treated with fertilizers or chemicals. Contaminated food will seriously harm the reptile's health.
If a domestic lizard is a predator, then its main diet should be mice, rats, insects and their larvae, worms, snails and fish. It is recommended to give boiled meat very rarely, only as an exception, if there is no other feed.
Lizards need vitamins for normal development. Special food is prepared for reptiles with the addition of fortified powder mixtures. It is recommended to give boiled rice to herbivorous lizards, and insects and larvae are sprinkled with vitamin "seasonings" for predators.
It is worth noting that many rodents that are commercially available for feeding to lizards are given special vitamin injections. That is why such food not only satisfies the hunger of the reptile, but also enriches the body with the necessary amount of nutrients.
