Although reptiles are not a common pet those who do have these exotic pets do want to make sure that they are well taken care of. Part of taking care of a reptile is knowing its dietary needs. Some of the most common pet reptiles are frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, and turtles/ tortoises.
Most frogs eat insects, but the bigger ones can eat pinkie mice. The size of your pet frog will determine their dietary schedule. A small frog will need to eat daily, a medium frog will need to eat about three or four times a week, and a large frog will need to eat about once or twice a week. If your frog is one that is on a cricket diet then it might be better to raise the crickets at home.
Salamanders eat insects, slugs, small fish, and even worms. They should be fed daily, but some might only eat about three times weekly. Be sure to remove food that they do not consume from their environment.
Photo by OakleyOriginals.
Since not all lizards are carnivorous it is important to know what kind of lizard you have. If you have an anole or chameleon then you should be feeding them insects about every other day. Another common lizard pet is the iguana which is an herbivore. Iguanas should be fed plants or pelleted reptile food every other day or so depending on their size.
Snakes are largely carnivores, but there are still different options available to feed them. You can either feed them live prey, pre-killed prey, or frozen prey. The size or type of prey depends on the snake. A good rule of thumb is to not get a prey that is larger than the circumference of their body. Snakes should be fed once every one to two weeks.
Tortoises are both omnivores and herbivores. If you have an omnivorous then they should eat insects, snails, and slugs. An herbivore tortoise eats plants. Turtles and tortoises should be fed at least once daily.
As always be sure to consult your veterinarian regarding your reptile’s dietary needs. They may be able to recommend supplements that will keep your reptile happy and healthy.