CARING FOR YOUR LIZARD
Feeding
Lizards have a wide variety of food preferences, as might be expected in a group of animals that differ considerably in their habit preferences, size and form. To provide a suitable diet for reptiles, take the following points into account:
Obtain or replicate the food that the animal feeds on in the wild
Present food items of a suitable size and presentation
Ensure foods such as insects and snails have not been in contact with any insecticides
Most smaller species are insectivorous so a wide variety of insects, preferably live, should be offered. The insect diet can also be supplemented with Wombaroo reptile supplement. eg Feed crickets on 80% cricket food and 20% calcium carbonate (which should be added 2-3 days before feeding to your lizard)
Some omnivorous lizards may also eat clover, dandelion, mulberry leaves, milk thistle, watercress, chopped fruits and vegetables (such as banana, apple, pawpaw, pear, lettuce and tomato), as well as snails, slugs and mealworms. Small amounts of moistened dog kibble and canned dog food may also be given.
Feeding frequency is approximately every two to three days. Lizards are active animals with a metabolic rate that is higher than snakes and they therefore require regular, small meals - in warm weather every two days, in colder weather every three days
Digestion in reptiles depends largely on the temperature at which the animal is housed. The temperature must be maintained at optimum levels after feeding. A sudden drop in temperature after feeding may lead to regurgitation or decomposition of the food in the stomach.
Housing
Before feeding reptiles it is essential that the animal is housed correctly and the ambient temperature is suitable for the species.
PREFERRED BODY TEMPERATURE
Common Bluetongue Lizard: 28-32C
Shingleback Lizard: 33C
Bearded Dragon: 35-39C
These temperatures are best achieved through the use of 60 watt blue light globes or infrared spotlights in, or over, one end of the enclosure, which is ideally constructed of wood and perspex. Glass aquariums are often used but heat is constantly lost though the walls so maintenance of a suitable temperature can be difficult to achieve.
Provision of branches or rocks placed under the heat source allow the lizard to sit at varying distances from it and a hollow log or upturned flower pot provide a cool retreat.
Ultraviolet light, either through exposure to unfiltered, natural sunlight, or an artificial UV light source, is also necessary to prevent Vitamin D deficiencies and skin and bone disorders