Dietary Habits

All reptiles and amphibians follow one of three basic diets:

Carnivorous -- The "meat eaters" diet, consisting almost exclusively of animal matter.

Herbivorous -- The "plant eaters" diet, consisting almost exclusively of vegetation.

Omnivorous -- A mixed diet, in which both animal and plant matter are well-represented. However, this division is not always clear-cut or firmly fixed. Certain species change their eating habits as they grow. For example, many larval frogs and toads eat algae and other plant life, but when they become adults, they eat animal matter.

All terrarium pets (carnivores, herbivores or omnivores), should be fed a wide variety of foods. This varied diet will ensure that that the animal receives a well-balanced mix of vitamins and nutrients. It will also keep terrarium pets more interested in their food.

Frozen foods
Among the newer feeding options for reptiles are frozen foods, many of which are designed to be a convenient alternative to live foods. For example, there are packages of frozen rodents that can be stored in the freezer and easily thawed. There are also fish-based frozen foods for garter snakes, and frozen vegetarian diets for herbivores.

Fruits & Vegetables

Most herbivorous and omnivorous reptiles can be fed common fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, shredded cabbage, peppers, tomato, cucumbers and grated carrot. Although many reptiles like iceberg lettuce, it is inadvisable to feed this to pets, since it has almost no nutritional value and can indirectly contribute to vitamin deficiencies. Romaine lettuce is a healthy alternative to iceberg.

All vegetables should be washed thoroughly before being given to reptiles. Experimentation is the best way to determine the types of fresh produce that a particular reptile likes. Remove all uneaten fruits and vegetables from a terrarium at least twice a day, since they can contribute to bacterial growth when they decay.

Live Foods
Reptiles enjoy eating a variety of live foods and insects including crickets, mealworms, and earthworms, as well as mice and other small rodents. Sprinkling a powdered nutritional supplement from PSP onto mealworms will increase their nutritional value.

Many water snakes and turtles do well when fed live feeder fish. These fish should be fed to herptiles by placing them in the water of semiaquatic terrariums.

Packaged Foods
There are a variety of commercially-packaged foods available that have been formulated for specific herptiles, including iguanas, monitor lizards, turtles and snakes.

Available at PSP, these products come in both canned and dry pellet forms. Many consist of meat, vegetable matter, or a combination of both, depending on whether the animal is a carnivore, herbivore or omnivore.

Some packaged foods come in bright colors and shapes designed to appeal to the herptile and stimulate its appetite. Packaged foods offer pet owners convenience and a nutritionally balanced diet for their herptiles.

Feeding Schedule
Small reptile species and juveniles of larger species should be fed more frequently than large adult reptiles. Herbivores and most small insect-eating reptiles should be fed daily, while many larger carnivorous lizards can be fed only two or three large meals per week.