50% of their diet, fruits?!

[SnakeCharmr728]

I was told on another forum that at least 50% of their diet should be fruits and that too much meats will cause liver disease???! Ive never heard this so can anyone confirm if this is true or not and give reasonings?

 

[Pyr0kinesis]

I'm pretty sure fatty liver is mostly caused by obesity rather than food they intake but i could be wrong.

 

[TeguBlake]

If never known anyone to actually feed the 50/50 fruits

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

True to a degree since they're not carnivores but a number of things can cause liver disease not just diet. You can feed a fifty fifty diet but with out proper exercise and husbandry it can still end up with liver disease.
Although I don't agree with feeding a 50/50, diet it should vary more. Since they are opportunistic omnivorous scavengers they eat what's available and what's available changes from one season to the next as well as day to day. Of course exercise goes along with that, captive reptiles don't need to and some hardly ever get the chance to scavenge. Their food is brought to them so they lead a very sedentary life compared to wild ones.

I'm sure there are a lot of things they eat in the wild that we don't know about or even have access to, But the same goes for some of the things we offer.

 

[tommylee22]

Hmmm I feed insects and animals Biggin really isn't interested in fruits or veggies.. I should try some more I guess.

 

[DavidRosi]

My Colombian is on 50/50, or thereabouts... Mix of meat, fruit and veg.

 

[dragonmetalhead]

From what I have read, both on this forum and from other sources, it would seem tegus can thrive on a variety of diets in captivity. I do believe that a varied diet results in happier and healthier animals, reptile or otherwise. If I recall, you've had your super big tegu for quite a few years and since he appears to be doing extremely well on your food regimen, I wouldn't worry and keep on doing what you're doing. I can't get Kodo to eat fruit, even if I coat it in egg yolk.

 

[_Eric_]

Hmmm I feed insects and animals Biggin really isn't interested in fruits or veggies.. I should try some more I guess.

Fabio has been eating nothing but rats for over a year now and hes healthy.Ive tried to get him to eat fruit and vegetables but he wont touch them.