Green iguanas, scientifically known as Iguana iguana, are a popular reptilian pet due to their docile nature and striking appearance. However, it’s essential to understand their natural diet to ensure that they remain healthy in captivity. In this article, we’ll discuss what green iguanas eat in the wild, and how you can replicate their diet in captivity.
Natural Diet of Green Iguanas:
Green iguanas are primarily herbivores and consume a wide range of plant material, including leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems. Their diet in the wild includes over 100 plant species, and they primarily consume plants with high water content. Young iguanas will also consume insects and small vertebrates such as snails, crabs, and lizards, but their diet changes as they grow.
Green iguanas obtain their essential nutrients from a variety of plant material. They require a high intake of calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone growth, as well as vitamin D3 for proper calcium absorption. Their diet in the wild typically includes calcium-rich plants like figs, mulberry leaves, and hibiscus flowers. They also consume plant material that is high in vitamin A, such as papayas, mangos, and squash.
In addition to calcium and vitamin A, green iguanas also require a variety of other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B complex, and beta-carotene. They obtain these nutrients from a diverse diet of fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens like kale, collards, and mustard greens, as well as fruits like strawberries, apples, and grapes.
Feeding Green Iguanas in Captivity:
To maintain your green iguana’s health in captivity, it’s crucial to replicate their natural diet as much as possible. Their diet should primarily consist of a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including dark leafy greens, carrots, squash, and bell peppers. You should also offer them calcium supplements, such as cuttlebone or calcium powder, to ensure that they receive enough of this essential nutrient.
It’s also essential to avoid feeding your green iguana foods that are toxic to them. Foods that are high in oxalates, such as spinach and rhubarb, can inhibit calcium absorption and lead to metabolic bone disease. Additionally, feeding your iguana foods that are high in fat, such as avocados and cheese, can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Green iguanas are herbivores and consume a wide range of plant material in the wild, including leaves, flowers, fruits, and stems. Their diet is rich in calcium, vitamin A, and other essential vitamins and minerals. To maintain your green iguana’s health in captivity, it’s crucial to replicate their natural diet as much as possible and avoid feeding them foods that are toxic to their health.
A balanced diet that includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as calcium supplements, will help ensure that your green iguana remains healthy and happy for years to come.
