I have read in -credible- books and articles that iguanas are herbivores, but when I placed a small quail chick infront of her, she (my iguana) didn't even bob her head at it she sneaked up to it and viciously snapped at it and swallowed the quail chick whole. I tried to pull it out, but I didn't want to harm my iguana. She did this on her own! And I had a good mix of collards, veggies and fruits next to her. And yes it's been months since that incident, and she's healthy. Explain?
2007-01-25 08:08:24 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Oh, but iguanas are strict vegetarians!
Iguanas are NOT strict vegetarians as some people will try to make you believe. Why do you think we need to supplement with calcium/vitamin D, no one dusts their salads in the wild, they get their calcium and protien in other ways. Like eating hatchling birds. You're not harming your iguana, but remember to keep live prey to a minimum, they can get too much calcium and protien in their diet as well.
2007-01-25 09:46:15 · answer #1 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, they are vegetarian, I've seen human vegetarians in B.K.
Iguanas will eat crickets, eggs, critters, ice cream, pie, KFC extra crispy. So, I had to learn to keep my food away from the ig. Just because it tastes good, doesn't mean it's good for us, same goes for all animals. Ever seen the stuff that comes out of a sharks stomach? License plates and whatnot? Same for igs.
Protein binds Calcium so it is used in digestion instead of going fo r the bones. So it's not a good thing, but somewhere the ig thought the chick tasted good, or somehow instinct told the ig to get rid of the bird. Birds eat reptile babies? Who knows for sure. But yes, they will eat 'junk food' per se. And I am sorry about your quail chick.
2007-01-26 12:13:26 · answer #2 · answered by moabmusher 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes lizards will eat small mammals or birds to get extra protein. I have a leopard gecko (still too small to eat anything bigger than mealworms) and I have read that breeding females will eat baby mice to help provide energy to form eggs. Just for curiosity's sake- where did you get a quail chick?
2007-01-25 08:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Iguanas will eat live prey. When I received mine from the rescue the vet instructed my to feed him pinky mice & eggs (with the shell mixed in) since he had metabolic bone disease from lack of calcium. When in his outdoor enclosure in warm weather, he will dig for earthworms. Funny to watch him slurp them like spaghetti!
How old is your female? Is she spayed? Has she ever laid eggs? She may be craving calcium for egg development. Iguanas are like chicken, they will lay eggs without the presence of a male. If she starts acting weird, digging in her cage, tired, etc. she may be egg bound. If so, she a vet asap.
Now you know to keep live smaller animals away from her.
2007-01-25 09:31:02 · answer #4 · answered by Sekkie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Herbivores such as your iguana often supplement when possible with a little live prey.in their natuaral habitat they eat eveything from fruit,veg and meat.[mice,bird chicks and they are egg stealers [from birdnests]too.
2007-01-25 08:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by evon stark 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I don't care for then, some folks like eatin' quail. Your Iguana must be one of them.
2007-01-25 08:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by Cracker 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I in all danger might pick Alligator yet i'm cringing on the thought...everybody i've got talked to that has eaten snake says that's notably good, yet i've got in no way seen snake on any eating place menus and that i've got seen Alligator on one. i think of it grow to be down in east Texas if I remember staggering. I had the steak and eggs somewhat. lol.
2016-09-27 23:46:06 · answer #7 · answered by lichtenberger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yum! Reply!
2007-01-25 08:13:29 · answer #8 · answered by Issac Slade 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋