What Reptiles Eat Just Veggies?

What Reptiles Eat Just Veggies?. Many species of reptile are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both plants and animals. Other types are solely herbivores, meaning they will not eat meat. They survive solely on vegetable matter, fruits, salad greens, seaweeds and algae.

Green Iguana

Iguanas can be found in many tropical climates and come in a number of different species. Most feed solely on plants and fruits, including figs, Barbados cherries and sweet acacia. This vegetarian diet makes iguanas difficult to take care for in captivity. The bulk of a pet iguana's diet should consist of leafy greens such as collards and escarole, as well as squash, green beans and sweet peppers. They can also handle fruits like strawberries, raspberries and melon pieces in moderation.

Chuckwalla

The chuckwalla is found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the United States. A stout species, it can grow up to 18 inches in length and prefers a sandy, rocky habitat. The lizard spends the first few hours of every day basking in the desert sun before going in search of food. It is a strict vegetarian, eating flowers, fruits, and leaves in the wild from plants such as the prickly pear cactus. In captivity it eats a varied diet of leafy salad greens and shredded root vegetables such as carrots.

Land Tortoise

Most land tortoises are strict vegetarians. They prefer a combination of green grasses, legumes, herbaceous plants and close-to-the-ground berries such as blackberries and strawberries. Captive tortoises can be fed on a variety of soft fruits and leafy greens such as lettuce and turnip tops. Some species will also consume small amounts of animal protein such as insects, but most have difficulty digesting non-vegetarian foods.

Mali Uromastyx

The Mali Uromastyx lizards are desert dwellers found in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The lizards survive their desert habitat by being able to get most of the water they need from a primarily vegetarian diet. Their wild diet consists of the flowers, fruits and the buds of desert plants. In captivity it is fed leafy greens such as kale and endive along with carrots, beans and broccoli. They can also be fed alfalfa, bird seeds and lentils, as well as the occasional cricket.

References

• Anapsid.org: Plants Consumed by Wild Iguanas
• Greening Society: Feeding Iguanas