\nTable 3. Estimated daily maintenance caloric requirements (1XSMR) in reptiles based on <\/strong>32 (BW0.75<\/sup>)*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n| Body weight (grams)<\/th>\n | Daily caloric requirements (kcal\/day)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 5<\/td>\n | 0.60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 10<\/td>\n | 1.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 25<\/td>\n | 2.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 50<\/td>\n | 3.38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 75<\/td>\n | 4.59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 100<\/td>\n | 5.69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 150<\/td>\n | 7.71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 200<\/td>\n | 9.57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 300<\/td>\n | 12.97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 400<\/td>\n | 16.10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 500<\/td>\n | 19.03<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 600<\/td>\n | 21.82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 700<\/td>\n | 24.49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 800<\/td>\n | 27.07<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 900<\/td>\n | 29.57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 1000<\/td>\n | 32.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 2000<\/td>\n | 53.82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 3000<\/td>\n | 72.94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 4000<\/td>\n | 90.51<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 5000<\/td>\n | 107.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 10,000<\/td>\n | 179.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 15,000<\/td>\n | 243.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 20,000<\/td>\n | 302.64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 25,000<\/td>\n | 357.77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| 30,000<\/td>\n | 410.20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| * BW stands for body weight in kilograms; based on values at\u00a0 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F) (Donoghue 2006)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/li>\nFor the first 2-4 days, feed debilitated patients 40%-75% of daily energy requirements to avoid digestive and metabolic upset. Overfeeding a starved critically ill patient can lead to life-threatening decreases in potassium and phosphorus.\u00a0 Rapid administration of calories, particularly carbohydrates, predisposes patients to this \u201crefeeding syndrome\u201d. Gradually increase calories fed to 100% of calculated energy requirements.<\/li>\nWhen feeding, also keep mechanical limitations in mind. The stomach capacity of most adult lizards ranges from 2%-5% body weight. Therefore the stomach of a 100 gram lizard should theoretically be able to hold somewhere between 2-5 ml of formula.<\/li>\nMonitor patients for stool production<\/li>\nGradually taper off assisted feeding whenever possible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n <\/p>\n Self-feeding lizards<\/h2>\nTo stimulate voluntary feeding of the hospitalized lizard, house the patient in an environment appropriate for the species with a basking light and an appropriate temperature gradient.<\/p>\n Offer hospitalized carnivorous lizards <\/strong>warm meat baby food or warm, pre-killed whole prey. Feeding rates vary with species, age, size, and condition. Depending on these factors, those eating vertebrate prey are fed from 3-times weekly to once monthly. Reptiles eating invertebrate prey may be fed several times daily to about twice weekly.<\/p>\nAlthough short-term feeding of frozen foods is economical and convenient, offer herbivorous lizards<\/strong> fresh produce whenever possible. Wash all fruits and vegetables, and then chop into bite-size portions. Allow salad mixtures to reach room temperature for 30-60 minutes before feeding. Flat plates are preferable to bowls for many species, however the lizard can easily walk through its meal so take care to minimize or prevent fecal contamination.<\/p>\n\n- The bulk of the green iguana (Iguana iguana<\/em>) diet should consist of raw, chopped, dark, leafy greens (i.e. mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, escarole, endive, water cress). Mix leafy greens with other vegetables such as legumes, carrot tops, okra, bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, mild peppers, and pumpkin.<\/li>\n
- Small amounts of brightly colored produce such as strawberry, tomato, melon, banana (with peel), yellow squash, and sweet potato can attract attention and stimulate the appetite.<\/li>\n
- Well-washed, chemical-free leaves and blossoms such as clover, dandelion, grape leaves, Hibiscus, kudzu, Nasturtium, Pothos, and rose are consumed by green iguanas and Uromastyx\u00a0<\/em>spp.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The bearded dragon is a popular omnivorous lizard<\/strong>. The diet of the adult bearded dragon should include:<\/p>\n\n- Crickets and other insects<\/li>\n
- Dark, leafy greens such as collard greens, kale, romaine, dandelion, turnip greens, mustard greens, beet greens, bok choy, Swiss chard, spinach, chicory, and escarole.<\/li>\n
- Mix greens with other vegetables such as squash, zucchini, sweet potato, broccoli, peas, carrot, beans, okra, bean sprouts, or frozen mixed vegetables<\/li>\n
- Flower blossoms like hibiscus make great treats.<\/li>\n
- Commercial diets are sold for bearded dragons. The completeness, balance, efficacy and safety of these products have not been confirmed by independent evaluations or trials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Insect eaters <\/strong>are often fed mealworms purchased at the local pet store or grown in a mealworm \u201cfarm\u201d. Earthworms may be obtained from a local bait shop.<\/p>\nAs a general rule, invertebrate prey should be no longer than the width of the lizard\u2019s head or preferably insect prey should be 75% of head width.<\/p>\n Invertebrates are typically fed alive because their movement stimulates feeding behavior. Allow insect prey to roam freely through the habitat or place them in a bowl or cup. Place insects intended for chameleons directly in front of the animal or within a smooth-sided bowl suspended in the branches. Be sure to count the number of insects before placing them in the cage so the amount eaten may be determined. Never place more insects in the cage than may be eaten at one time. Feed adult lizards once daily; feed juveniles two to three times a day. Insect prey should be removed if uneaten after 6-8 hours as they can nibble on lizard toes, eyes, or other body parts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Food items to avoid<\/h2>\nAvoid feeding in large quantities:<\/p>\n | |
![\"iguana](\"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/wp-content\/uploads\/Iguana-eating-greens-closeup-Resa-McLellan-PennVet-2016-width-600-400x267.png\")