Why Live Food is Important for Lizards
Have you ever watched a lizard dart out, tongue flicking, to snatch a scurrying insect? This primal display underscores a fundamental aspect of their well-being: the need for live food. While commercially available diets can supplement a lizard’s needs, nothing truly replicates the nutritional and behavioral benefits of offering them living prey. This comprehensive guide will delve into the world of live food for lizards, covering everything from the advantages to the types, proper selection, housing, and nutritional enhancement techniques. Understanding these facets will empower you to provide the best possible diet for your scaly companion.
Providing live food for lizards isn’t merely about convenience; it’s about fulfilling their inherent biological needs. This type of feeding goes beyond simply providing sustenance; it provides a natural outlet for their instincts and contributes significantly to their overall health.
A Natural Behavior
Lizards are, by nature, hunters. The act of stalking, chasing, and capturing live food triggers their natural instincts and provides crucial mental stimulation. A lizard confined to a terrarium can easily become bored or lethargic without opportunities to engage in these natural behaviors. Offering live insects encourages activity, reduces stress, and contributes to a more enriched life for your pet. The act of predation is an important part of a lizard’s life cycle. It keeps them active, challenges them, and prevents the boredom that can lead to other behavioral problems.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional content of live food far surpasses that of dried or processed alternatives. Live insects contain higher levels of essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, and moisture, all of which are crucial for maintaining a healthy metabolism, growth, and overall vitality in lizards. What’s even more important is the ability to enhance that nutritional value through a process called gut loading.
Enhanced Digestion
The exoskeletons of live insects, composed primarily of chitin, play an important role in a lizard’s digestive process. Chitin acts as a natural fiber, stimulating gut motility and aiding in the breakdown of other nutrients. This promotes efficient digestion and prevents common issues like impaction, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Common Types of Live Food for Lizards
Choosing the appropriate live food for your lizard depends on the species, size, and individual preferences of your pet. The following are some of the most commonly available and nutritionally beneficial options.
Crickets
Crickets are a staple live food option for many lizard owners due to their widespread availability and relatively low cost. They are a decent source of protein and are readily accepted by many lizard species. However, their nutritional value can vary greatly depending on their diet. It is crucial to gut load crickets properly before feeding them to your lizard. While crickets can be a good option, some keepers find them noisy and potentially smelly.
Mealworms and Superworms
Mealworms and superworms are larval forms of beetles and are popular due to their ease of care and high fat content. They are relatively easy to keep and breed. However, they also have a high chitin content, which can be difficult for some lizards to digest. Due to their high fat content, mealworms and superworms should be offered as treats or supplements to the main diet.
Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches are quickly gaining popularity as a live food option due to their high protein content and ease of breeding. They are also less smelly and quieter than crickets. Dubia roaches are a highly nutritious option and are readily consumed by many lizard species. One thing to keep in mind is that they prefer warm environments and may be illegal in some states or regions due to concerns about them becoming an invasive species.
Waxworms and Butterworms
Waxworms and butterworms are larval forms of moths and are exceptionally high in fat. They are very palatable to lizards and are often used to entice picky eaters or to help underweight lizards gain weight. However, their high fat content means they should only be offered as an occasional treat. Overfeeding waxworms or butterworms can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae
Black soldier fly larvae, or BSFL, are a highly nutritious live food option. They are naturally high in calcium and have a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, which is essential for preventing metabolic bone disease in lizards. While BSFL can be more expensive than other live food options, their nutritional benefits make them a worthwhile choice.
Other Options
There are other live food options to consider, including hornworms, silkworms, and earthworms. Hornworms are large, soft-bodied caterpillars that are high in moisture and low in fat. Silkworms are also soft-bodied and are a good source of protein and essential amino acids. Earthworms can be a good source of protein and other nutrients, but they should be sourced from a reputable breeder to avoid potential parasite contamination.
Selecting the Right Live Food
Once you have determined the appropriate type of live food for your lizard, you need to ensure that you are selecting healthy and appropriately sized insects.
Size
The size of the live food is a crucial consideration. A general rule of thumb is to avoid feeding your lizard anything larger than the space between their eyes. Feeding insects that are too large can lead to choking, impaction, and other digestive issues. Always select live food that is appropriately sized for your lizard’s age and species.
Health and Appearance
When selecting live food, always look for active, healthy-looking insects. Avoid insects that are lethargic, discolored, or show signs of disease. Healthy insects will be active and will move around readily. Discolored insects may be sick or may have been exposed to harmful chemicals.
Source
It is always best to purchase live food from reputable breeders or pet stores. These sources are more likely to provide healthy and properly cared for insects. Avoid wild-caught insects, as they can carry parasites and diseases that can be harmful to your lizard.
Gut Loading and Dusting
To maximize the nutritional value of live food, it is essential to gut load the insects before feeding them to your lizard. It is also important to dust the insects with appropriate supplements.
What is Gut Loading?
Gut loading is the process of feeding live insects a nutritious diet before offering them to your lizard. This allows the insects to absorb essential nutrients, which are then passed on to your lizard when they consume the insects.
Gut Loading Foods
There are many different foods that can be used for gut loading, including fruits, vegetables, and grains. Some popular options include leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, apples, and commercial gut loading diets.
Dusting with Supplements
Dusting live food with calcium and vitamin D supplements is essential for preventing metabolic bone disease in lizards. Calcium is crucial for bone health, and vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium. When dusting, use a light coating to avoid making the insects unpalatable. Dust insects immediately before feeding them to your lizard. The frequency of dusting will depend on your lizard’s age and species.
Housing and Caring for Live Food
Properly housing and caring for live food is essential for ensuring that they remain healthy and nutritious.
Crickets
Crickets should be housed in a well-ventilated container with plenty of hiding spots. Provide them with a source of food and water. Cricket food and water gels are readily available at most pet stores.
Mealworms and Superworms
Mealworms and superworms can be stored in a container with wheat bran or oatmeal as bedding. Provide them with a source of food, such as carrots or potatoes. Clean the container regularly to prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria.
Dubia Roaches
Dubia roaches thrive in warm, humid environments. Provide them with a heat source and plenty of hiding spots. They can be fed a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and grains.
General Tips
Maintain proper temperature and humidity levels in the live food enclosure. Regularly clean the enclosure to prevent the buildup of disease-causing organisms.
Potential Problems and Solutions
Despite your best efforts, you may encounter some problems when keeping live food.
Insect Escapes
Prevent insect escapes by using tight-fitting lids and escape-proof containers. If insects do escape, try using traps or vacuuming them up.
Mites and Pests
Mites and other pests can sometimes infest live food enclosures. If you notice mites or other pests, clean the enclosure thoroughly and consider using a mite-specific treatment.
Nutritional Deficiencies
If your lizard is showing signs of nutritional deficiencies, such as lethargy, bone deformities, or loss of appetite, adjust your gut loading and supplementation strategies. Consult with a veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper for guidance.
Conclusion
Providing live food for lizards is an essential aspect of responsible reptile ownership. By understanding the benefits of live food, selecting appropriate insects, and properly caring for them, you can ensure that your lizard receives the nutrition and enrichment they need to thrive. Remember, choosing the right live food, properly gut loading, and ensuring appropriate supplementation are key to maintaining the health and happiness of your lizard. Consult with a veterinarian or experienced reptile keeper to tailor your feeding strategies to the specific needs of your lizard species. Give your scaly friend the gift of a healthy and enriched life with the right live food for lizards!
