Reptiles are of varied species which range to about 9,500 in number. They come in different shapes and sizes and are also becoming popular pets these days. Thus, one needs to see if their pet takes in the correct amount of foods and supplements to keep them healthy.
Diet for Different kinds of Reptiles
Every species of reptiles has a slightly different diet. Let’s learn about some of them.
- What Do Snakes Eat?
Snakes are either carnivores or omnivores. Meat is a vital part of their diet whereas fruits and vegetables are the least. Snakes mostly eat:
- Insects of all shapes and sizes
- Rodents
- Other reptiles
- Birds
- Larger mammals
- Eggs though they aren’t very common
- What Do Lizards Eat?
Lizards are quite varied reptiles. The smaller ones are mostly insectivores. However, the larger ones are herbivores and omnivores. There are big lizards too which eat mammals, but they aren’t really tamed as pets. Insectivorous lizards are a way better choice to be kept as pets if you aren’t much interested to kill rats and stuff for them. Lizards usually eat:
- A variety of worms, spiders, flies, beetles and insects.
- Small animals such as baby birds, baby mice and smaller lizards.
- Eggs
- Fruits and vegetables
- Larger prey, depending on their size.
- What Do Turtles And Tortoise Eat?
Among all the reptiles, the turtles and the tortoises are the ones which are mostly kept as pets. These slow-moving animals generally eat things that cannot move or run away, such as:
- Lettuce, leafy greens and beet greens
- Variety of fruits, which include apples, mangoes and melons.
- Variety of veggies
- Flowers
- Some aquatic turtles also eat fishes and insects
Common examples of pet turtles are herbivorous Russian tortoise and the omnivorous Red Eared Slider. You will generally find these plant eating reptiles as pets in most of the houses.
Do Your Reptiles Need Supplements?
Understanding a reptile’s needs is definitely not easy especially if you are not used to pet them, but with proper studies and observations you can make out if they lack nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to several diseases, weak bones and shorten their lifespan.
One great nutritional supplement is a pellet. Pellets are usually given to mostly herbivorous or omnivorous reptiles to keep them healthy.
Some people also give their reptiles supplements by sprinkling supplement powder on crickets and rats or veggies. One can even add supplements to water if needed.
There are many other supplements which can be given to the reptiles but first, the reptile owner should have complete information about the reptile and then choose the suitable supplement.