Is there a type of reptile that doesn't eat insects/rodents?

Question

I want to get my boyfriend a reptile of some sort for our anniversary. He loves reptiles, but doesn't want a snake because they eat mice/rats (and we love rodents). I thought about getting him a different type of reptile, but as far as I know, they all eat crickets or other insects. I'd rather not give him a pet that needs insects all the time. I'd much rather have a pet that eats fruits and vegetables, or some kind of packaged food (like pellets or flakes). Do you know of any reptile like this?

Answer 1

Iguanas can get quite large and are not really a starter reptile.
Another suggestion is a uromastyx. The only eat greens.

Answer 2

Iguanas, uromastyx and tortoises (technically cheloans, not reptiles) are all vegetarians. While bearded dragons can eat vegetables, their diet still needs to have a good amount of insects.

Iguanas, uromastyx, bearded dragons, etc, should NEVER be fed pellet food. These animals produce very little saliva and don't have enough for softening up the pellets (unless you soak them in water first). It can cause as little damage as scratching their throat, or as much damage as tearing the lining of the stomach.

If you don't have a ton of room, I'd go with a Russian tortoise or uromastyx. Both are very long lived (50+ years), so be sure he's prepared to retire with his anniversary present. :)

Before you make the final decision, sit down with a care book and read all about the animal to be sure you know exactly what they need. And if considering an iguana, buy a copy of Iguanas for Dummies. It's the bible on iguana care!

Answer 3

Choosing a reptile based on diet is a good first step. The next is to choose one that meets your skill level.

Tortoises (but not box turtles) are almost totally vegetarians, and the small amount of protein they need can be easily supplied by mashing a hard-boiled egg with the shell, etc. Tortoises, however, tend to be expensive and take a large pen. Start up costs can be really expensive quick.

Good starter tortoises: Greek (or Mediterranian spur-thighed) or Hermann's are good starters. Russians are easy to find and inexpensive, but oddly tricky. AVOID Sulcatas and Leopards- they get fricking huge!

Iguanas are also herbivores, but again take a lot of space and have expensive set-up needs for good health.

Few reptiles do well on pellet or flake foods. Most turtles, for example, will do poorly if pellets make up more than about 25% of their diet.

Answer 4

I am posting this to correct misinformation that you have been given about Iguanas. Lettace is not a suitable food for for any kind of lizard.

I recommend you find similar information for any other type of lizard you are considering. This URL is a good place to start. http://www.anapsid.org/mainlizards.html


Diet:
Iguanas are herbavors. They do not eat animal protien of any kind. Their primary diet should consist of Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Turnip Greens, Escarole, parsnip, winter squash, alfalfa, strawberries, figs and a calcium suppliment. The greens should make up the majority of the the diet. The Iguana should be feed early every morning. They will spend the rest of the day digesting the food. Water should be provided, preferably in a dish too small for the iguana to immerse themself in.

Housing:
Where x is the length of the iguana, housing should be x tall, x deep and 1.5 x long. Iguanas are arborial and need to have something to climb on.

Heat:
Iguanas need a basking area, normally at the top of the climbing area, that has a temperature of 95F. The lower areas of the cages should be cooler as a lizard regulates his body temperature by moving to warmer or cooler areas. the lowest temperature, night time, should not be less than 75F.

Light:
Iguanas live in equitorial areas. They should have 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. They also suffer from calcium deficiancies and require high quality UVB lights (such as reptisun 10) to prevent this. Vitiamin D drop are not a suitable replacement due to problems with dosing. Daily trips outside, in a suitable enclosure, are desirable when temperature permits.

Handling:
Iguanas must be handled daily to socializing them. As they can inflict injury with their tails, teeth, and claws the purchase of protective gear for the forearms is often considered (my son uses a leather jacket and gloves). This behavior is instinctual on the Iguana's part, they are not domesticated animals. The daily handling is to show them that you are a friend rather than a threat. Never punish an iguana, but at the same time do not let them win.

Health:
Iguanas require reptile vets. Regular vets do not have the training needed to understand what is happening in an Iguana, or any other reptile. You can find a list of reptile vets in the US at http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html....

Please be sure to visit anapsid.org. It is the website of Melissa Kaplin, author of Iguanas for Dummies.

Source(s):

http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/index.html...
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/iguan...
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/babyi...

Answer 5

Iguanas are vegetarians. But since iguanas are not beginner reptiles, I would think twice about that. But if the proper research is done and the proper environment is made for it. the it can be the best pet you ever owned. Good luck.

Owner of a 4 year old, 6 foot long, male green iguana.

Answer 6

please make sure your boyfriend wants this pet! will it fit with your lifestyles- do you go on vacations- who will feed it-- do you have a suitable place for it to live--

twice i have had different boyfriends give me iguanas as pets because i "love" reptiles-- and then a couple years later when the guy was gone i still had the iguana to take care of- when i went away to college i had a hard time finding a new home for my first iguana because he was now 4 feet long (and my mom sure wasn't going to feed him for me!). I have had my second iguana for 6 years now (a birthday gift) and enjoy her but -geesh- i wish people would stop thinking that a pet is a great present for me!

Answer 7

I have a Russian Tortoise - Flash.
He's about 4-5inches long and I think he's adorable.

He eats fresh dark greens every morning with some type of squash, fruit or carrots. He needs sunlight or at least a lamp that imitates sunlight for his body to process his calcium properly. I sprinkle a Tortoise vitamin dust on his food once every few days.
He gets his water from his food and likes to soak (wading depth) in luke warm water once/week. He sleeps under his heat lamp when it's cold and under his hay when it's warm. (the hay is from a petstore - make sure it's the kind that is safe to eat)

Caution: Russian tortoises have a tendancy to chew on their environment, so you don't want to put anything in there that could hurt him or her. Also, they are escape artists and need an area that is impossible to climb out of or dig through.

He is a guy because he has a longer tail with a little nob and the end of it. Males tails are long enough to drag on the group so they hold them up to one side of their hind area. Femals just let their tails rest since they're too short to drag anyways.

I love my little guy - he takes monitoring and food each day, but not much clean up and no grooming. I like to watch him eat his favorite food - carrots.

Answer 8

I'm so glad to see that there are more than a few people on this forum who understand that Iguanas are not starter reptiles, easy to care for, or eat lettuce!

Get him one that's easy to care for. He may not be prepared to care for another pet.

Answer 9

There are many species of reptiles and amphibians that do not require live food. Iguanas, Bearded Dragons, Water Dragons, will all thrive off of a diet consisting of different fruits and vegetables, and for many of these you can buy pellet foods. Pellet foods are also sold for turtles, frogs, and salamanders.

Answer 10

Uromastyx are great first reptiles and they eat vegetables (romaine, carrots, bokchoy). They are easy to take care of and yo can get them at most any pet store. Also iguanas (they make terrible pets) eat veggies.