Diet for a Desert Iguana
The desert iguana is native to hot, dry climates such as the southwestern United States. They are herbivores for the most part, their diet consisting of mostly plant material such as flowers, buds, leafy greens, and soft fruit. However, desert iguanas have been known to eat animal material occasionally such as small insects and even carrion.
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Flowers
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Desert Iguanas in captivity are often fed flowers such as roses, hibiscus, and dandelions. Flower petals and buds are an important part of the desert iguana's diet. In its natural habitat, the desert iguana's main source of food is the flowers from the creosote bush. In captivity, desert iguanas are commonly fed flowers such as roses, hibiscus, and dandelions.
Greens
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Desert Iguanas can be fed leafy greens such as parsley, collard greens, and escarole. Leafy greens are also an important part of the desert iguana's diet. They tend to like greens such as parsley, collard greens, mustard greens, escarole, and certain grasses. In captivity, the iguana's keepers make sure that the greens do not contain any pesticide residue.
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Vegetables
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Desert iguanas can also eat vegetables such as carrots and celery. In captivity, desert iguanas can be fed vegetables such as carrots, celery, and cabbage. These vegetables are often cut into small pieces or shredded to make feeding easier on the iguana.
Fruit
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Desert iguanas like soft fruits such as bananas and oranges. Desert iguanas can also be fed certain soft fruits, though these do not make up a large part of their diet. These fruits include bananas, grapes, oranges, and tangerines.
Vitamins
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Vitamins and dietary supplements are often given to desert iguanas in captivity in order to keep them healthy. Often, desert iguanas raised in captivity are given multivitamins and dietary supplements in order to keep their immune system strong and their skin healthy. These supplements can be purchased at any exotic pet supply store.
Insects
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Crickets and mealworms are often fed to desert iguanas in captivity. Though not known to be a regular part of their natural diet, desert iguanas in captivity are often fed small insects such as crickets and mealworms. These insects provide protein and can be an important part of the iguana's diet.
Carrion
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Desert iguanas in their natural habitat have been observed eating carrion. Though rare, desert iguanas in their natural habitat have been observed eating the flesh of dead animals.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit iguana image by aldaer from Fotolia.com roses rose, rose.. image by Christophe Hamerlik from Fotolia.com parsley image by Dmitriy Beliy from Fotolia.com celery image by cherie from Fotolia.com banana image by Edvin selimovic from Fotolia.com vitamins image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com cricket image by Gail Oswald from Fotolia.com iguana 3 image by Olga Chernetskaya from Fotolia.com
