게코도마뱀 Reptiles can be classified as herbivores, omnivores or carnivores based on their diets. Reptile owners should aim to provide appropriate and balanced diets using natural foods and commercial diets to achieve total nutrition.
Insects contain high levels of phosphorous and must be gut loaded or coated with a calcium supplement prior to feeding (dusting). Ideally, different insect options should be offered.
Herbivorous
Reptiles are fascinating pets to own, but they are also a bit more complex in terms of the level of care needed to keep them healthy. This includes creating a terrarium that mimics their natural environment, keeping the temperature at a proper level and feeding them an appropriate diet. Failure to meet these specialized requirements often results in illness.
For example, a green iguana will need to be fed an herbivorous diet while a bearded dragon may need to eat a mix of vegetables and commercial “kibble” products. Likewise, tortoises will require a high fiber food whereas iguanas will do well with a low starch recipe which contains live probiotics to help support their digestive system.
The main requirement of all herbivorous reptiles is dietary fibre which can be supplied from various sources including whole grains and legumes such as alfalfa, dandelion leaves, carrots, parsley and turnips. The fibre helps to bulk up the diet encouraging gut motility and provides a source of fermentation for intestinal microflora resulting in short chain fatty acids for energy. Carnivorous reptiles do not have a requirement for dietary fibre as it will dilute the energy concentration of their diets.
Insects are a good source of protein for both herbivorous and carnivorous reptiles. For insects to be a 게코도마뱀 nutritionally complete reptile diet they must be thoroughly soaked in water prior to feeding to ensure they are digestible. This process also adds a lot of the vital water-soluble vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, B and E that are not found in the body.
Omnivorous
Reptiles that eat both plants and animals are described as omnivorous. Examples include the green iguanas of Central America and South America, the chuckwalla lizards of the Southwestern United States and Mexico, and the spiny-tailed agamids of North Africa and southwestern Asia. Land tortoises also are omnivorous and enjoy a diet of leaves, grasses, flowers and cactus.
These reptiles are best fed a combination of fresh greens, vegetables and fruits. A commercial kibble may be added to the diet as well. Some omnivorous reptiles are sensitive to excess protein and can develop kidney damage. For this reason it is best to offer protein foods only 1 or 2 times per week. A tablespoon of a protein food contains about the same number of calories as 1/2 cup of leafy greens.
Insects are an important part of the omnivorous reptile diet. They can be fed whole or ground. When feeding whole prey it is important to make sure the prey items are thawed and dead to prevent injury to your pet reptile and for animal welfare reasons.
Many popular reptiles are insectivores. They can be fed crickets, worms or mealworms that have been gutloaded with high nutritive value feed additives. It is important to use only high quality feeder insects that have been pre-fattened in this case.
Vertebrate
Carnivorous reptiles (lizards, snakes, crocodiles, alligators) consume any living animal they can catch, hunt or forage for. Typical foods include insects (crickets, grasshoppers, flies, ants) and their offspring, small rodents and mammals, birds, lizards and amphibians. The quality of these prey items is important. Reptiles are genetically programmed to be attracted to live ambulatory prey that moves and their feeding instincts are not satisfied by dead prey. Commercial reptile foods can provide a variety of minerals, vitamins and trace nutrients that are lacking in most live insect prey. However, this food should only comprise 20% to 40% of the diet. When frozen mice or rats are used to feed carnivorous reptiles, they must be stored properly in thick plastic bags and thawed using methods that minimize water loss during thawing. Vitamin A deficiency (hypovitaminosis A) is a common problem in captive reptiles that have fed exclusively from commercial diets. Symptoms include oedema of the periorbital area and mucous membranes, decreased reproductive function and renal damage (Wallach & Hoff 1982).
It is important to remember that reptiles gain their energy from proteins and fats rather than carbohydrates. This means that the amount of meat-based protein required to meet a reptile’s energy needs is greater than that of vegetable matter containing the same number of calories. This explains why many pet reptiles become overweight, a condition commonly seen in terrapins, tortoises and young red-eared terrapins.
Insects
Many reptiles rely on insects as a natural part of their diet in the wild. Feeder insects are a critical component of a balanced captive diet, offering high-quality protein, vitamins and minerals. Reptiles require a diverse diet to thrive in captivity and meeting their nutritional needs is essential for growth, maintaining healthy immune systems, and preventing health issues.
Feeder insects need to be properly gut-loaded and dusted to maximize nutrition. A nutrient-rich diet like HabiStat Cricket Diet Eco Pack Food can be used to help gut-load insects for up to 48 hours. This process increases the overall dietary quality of feeder insects and extends their lifespan.
Reptiles are able to digest and absorb nutrients much more efficiently than mammals, so it is important for them to feed on fresh, wholesome foods. In addition to feeding them a nutritious diet, make sure to provide plenty of water and offer your reptile a place to hide to prevent stress and boredom.
Reptiles have a unique body covering known as rough scales or bony plates. These scales are composed of keratin, the same substance that makes up your hair and nails. The scales are waterproof, helping the reptile survive and thrive in drier ecosystems. Reptiles shed their skin regularly, most frequently during adolescence, but also at other times throughout life. Shedding is not only a natural behavior, but it serves to regulate the temperature of the body and prevent disease.