Lizard

There are different aspects to consider when determining what exactly is the best feeder insect for your pet lizard. When analyzing the nutritional values of feeder insects, it is ideal to pinpoint the percentages of specific component in the contents, as well as the percentage of grams in volume or weight. What may be best for one type of lizard may not be so beneficial to another, based on many factors including insect fat content, age of lizard, species, and the like.

For example, bearded dragons and iguanas are not able to metabolize most fats effectively; a trait unique to their system. These lizards might store the fats in their system, later causing fatty liver diseases. A chameleon or monitor lizard, on the other hand, can better process the fats.

Fat Content and Digestive Functions

When looking at the type of fats of a feeder insect, you also have to look at how your reptile processes the fats and the percentage of calories from the fats it consumes, versus the percentage of fats from proteins. Even if the food is supposed to be good for your pet lizard, if you feed it more than it actually needs, then it can be detrimental to your lizard’s health. The key is to balance the nutrients and composition of food that you feed your pet lizard to achieve a healthy diet.

Lizard species have differences in their digestive systems and size matters less compared to how far along the lizard’s digestive system is developed. For example, a baby bearded dragon might be the same size as an adult gecko but its digestive system would still be in the developmental stage.

Silkworms

It is important to note the type of fats or proteins that can be obtained from a particular type of insect.  Currently, the most common feeder insects are silkworms. They have the lowest percentage of calories from fats and the highest percentage of calories from protein. In comparison, waxworms have four times the percentage of calories from fats compared to silkworms. Silkworms are the best feeder insects to give baby bearded dragons because of their nutrients which the lizards need. They are also the best insects to give recovering, sick, injured, and senior lizards because of their serapeptase enzyme. Silkworms have natural beneficial effects to improve lizards’ health, and they have anti-inflammatory and pain reliever properties.

Crickets and Mealworms

Two-week old crickets have higher calorie content from proteins compared to older crickets. It is important to feed younger lizards two week old crickets.

Adult mealworms have higher percentages of protein than younger mealworms. It is generally not advisable to feed young bearded dragons mealworms because the calories are higher and full of fats.

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