Fungi and fungal toxins

It is very important that all food fed to insects be fresh and changed regularly. The enclosures insects are housed in should be kept clean. There is some evidence that insects that have consumed moldy food can harbor fungi and fungus-derived toxins which could prove harrnful or fatal to lizards. In the case of some fungal toxins (e.g., aflatoxins), the effects may be cumulative, so keep food insects in a meticulous manner. Offer fresh food. Make sure it is not moldy.

Other Foods Plant matter

Several species of insect-eating lizards will also feed on plant rnatter. Well known examples are sorne of the larger agamines (such as bearded dragons and water dragons), basilisks, several species of skinks, plated lizards, several species of swifts, several species of teiids (such as ameivas), etc. Several gecko species will also feed on baby foods or nectars.

The best way to find information as to whether a species also consumes plant matter is to consult the available literature. Another way is to experimento Offer a dish with a variety of finely chopped vegetables or fruits and observe which ones the animal seems to prefer. Good choices are:

• Leafy greens such as kale, romaine lettuce, mustard and
• collard greens
• Finely chopped mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen and thawed)
• Grated squash
• Grated carrots
• Finely chopped green beans
• Peas
• Banana (small amounts) Chopped apple
• Peach

• For day geckos (Phelsuma), prehensile-tailed geckos (Rhacodactylus), Madagascar velvet geckos (Homopholis) and others, banana or peach baby food with a little calcium carbonate mixed in will be readily accepted. Y ou can try this with other geckos or lizards and observe their responses.