If you’re considering getting a pet reptile (or amphibian) for the first time, you likely have many questions about owning and caring for them. And of all the questions you may be asking yourself, one of the first that you want to get answered is what kind of diet your new pet will need.
Due to the extra time and care that is required for keeping live feeders alive, many people tend to ask what reptiles don’t eat live food. If you’re one of these people, then you’re in luck. Keep reading below to find 5 reptiles and amphibians that can live on a vegetation and commercial food diet.
Reptiles And Amphibians That Don’t Eat Live Food
If you’re looking for a new pet that doesn’t require live feedings, then we recommend the following species:
Green Iguanas
Green iguanas are one of the most popular reptiles kept as pets. They are relatively easy to care for and make great first-time reptile pets. When it comes to their diet, green iguanas are mostly herbivores. In the wild, they eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and leaves. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of commercial iguana food, vegetables, and fruit.
Some of the green iguana’s essential foods includes:
- Collard greens
- Alfalfa
- Kale
- Dandelion greens
- Mustard greens
- Clover
- Dark green lettuces
Around 85 percent of your iguana’s diet should consist of dark green plant matter. The other percentage can come from starch-rich fruits and vegetables, such as peaches, tomatoes, and bananas.
Chuckwallas
Chuckwallas are a type of lizard that is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of plants and vegetables. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of leaves, fruits, and flowers.
This type of lizard can grow up to 30 inches long, and can live more than 25 years if taken care of properly. They are also unique because they obtain the water they need from the food they eat, so it’s always imperative to keep them well-fed and to provide a variety of foods, including dandelion greens, collard greens, and vegetables rich with calcium.
Dryland Tortoise
Dryland tortoises are a type of turtle that is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of plants and vegetables. These tortoises have to eat almost constantly to fuel themselves.
When keeping a dryland tortoise as a pet, make sure the majority of their diet consists of green vegetables. However, dryland tortoises also enjoy many types of fruits, including berries, melon, oranges, and kiwis.
Aim for a 90% – 10% ratio for vegetables and fruits respectively.
Blue-Tongued Skink
Blue-tongued skinks are a type of lizard that is native to Australia. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of fruit, vegetables, and insects. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of commercial pet food, vegetables, and fruit.
Blue-tongued skinks can also eat frozen insects. They are omnivorous lizards who also enjoy ground turkey, fruit, and eggs. These unique-looking lizards are one of the most common to be found as pets. They can live up to 20 years with good care, and are one of the most beautiful species of lizards you can own.
Aquatic Turtles
Aquatic turtles are a type of turtle that is native to freshwater habitats around the world. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of plants and animals. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of pellets, vegetables, and live food, though it is not a necessity for them to have live food.
Aquatic turtles are omnivores, so their diet should consist of both plant and animal matter. However, the majority of their diet (around 80 percent) should be made up of plants. Some good vegetables for aquatic turtles include:
- Turnip greens
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Spinach
There are many different types of aquatic turtles that make great pets, such as red-eared sliders, painted turtles, and box turtles. When cared for properly, they can live 20 to 40 years.
Why Your Pet’s Diet Matters
The diet of your reptile or amphibian pet should be one of your main priorities when caring for them. A proper diet will help them to stay healthy and to live a long life. It’s important to research what kind of foods are appropriate for your specific pet, and to provide a variety of foods to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
A lack of proper nutrition can lead to health problems, so it’s always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to feeding your reptile or amphibian friend. Find a way to create a routine for yourself so that they have regular feedings at the same time each day.
When in doubt, never be afraid to research what you don’t know. Feel free to refer to our pet care guide to find accurate feeding information for your reptile or amphibian pet.
Conclusion: What Reptiles Don’t Eat Live Food?
To recap, there are many reptiles and amphibians that don’t eat live food or that don’t need live food in their diet in order to thrive. Some of the most common that are kept as pets include:
- Green iguanas
- Chuckwallas
- Dryland tortoise
- Blue-tongued skins
- Aquatic turtles
