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Pink mice But they' re not insects! True, but insect-eating lizards oflen them and they do have a relatively high nutritional valueo Pink mice is a term for newborn (hairless) mice. These can obtained from rodent breeders and through stores specializi in reptiles. Mice are also easily bred in small numbers; a la containing a group of one male with up to five females could provide at least fifty pink mice a month (more than the averagt hobbyist would need). In any case, one-to-two-day old mica are eaten by many species of medium-to-Iarge insect-eating lizards. In fact, as far as most of these lizard are concerned, iJ it moves and it' s not too big, then it' s probably fair game. Pink mice should be used as an occasional meal, not as a staplediet, for insect-eating lizards. Mice are nutritious, but when only one or two days old they are also calcium deficient for lizards (unless they are offered very soon after removal fram the mother). Prior to feeding to lizards, the rumps of the mica should be dipped in calcium carbonate. Do not dip live mice head first or coat them with any vitamin mix as you would crickets. Calcium in the respiratory passages of a pink mouse causes distress and suffering while a rump dipped in caIcium does not. Pick or fuzzy mice may be too rich for many insecteating lizards, and may cause fatty degeneration of the liveril they are fed as a primary diet. |
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Pink mice Many large insect-eating lizards can be given newbom to fuzzy mice as part of a varied diet. Some of the larger geckos, skinks, plated lizards, girdle-tailed lizards; agaminae (including bearded dragons and green water dragons), basilisks, European giant legless lizards, galliwasps, dwarf monitors, etc., will accept larger mice. Once again, you may have to experimento As a mle, with species that are primarily insect-eating, it is not a good idea to convert them to a primarily unweaned-mouse diet; it may be too rich (high protein and high fat) for long-term good health. Weight gain and softer stools will often be noticed on a diet containing too high a percentage of unweaned mice. The author recommends that mice make up no more than 10to-25% of the diet of insect-eating lizards. Freshness of supplements It is better to purchase smaller amounts of a fresh supply than a large amount of vitamin/ mineral supplement that might last you a long time. A large container of vitamin/ mineral supplement opened frequently (or with contents exposed to the air or high temperatures) will deteriorate over time until you are no longer able to assess the effectiveness of the vitamins. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin D3, are prone to rapid deterioration. It is best to read labels for expiration dates, buy smaller volumes, keep supplements in a cool place, and keep containers sealed tightly between uses. Meats Generally, many lizards that are frequent tongue flickers will feed on non-moving food. Fine strips of lean beef (e.g., flank steak) or beef heart and cooked chicken will be taken by these species, but these foods should be supplemented with a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement. For lizards that will eat them, these foods can make up one component of a varied diet. Until research demonstrates differently, they should not make up more than one-fourth of the animal' s diet. ,
Gralns/Seeds (1 X/week) Baby cereal flakes Groundrodentchow Ground oatmeal
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