Lizards eat a very wide range of foods depending on their species. Some eat only insects like crickets and mealworms. Others eat plants, fruits, and vegetables. And a few larger species eat small mammals or other lizards. Knowing what a specific lizard eats means first knowing what kind of lizard it is.
What Do Most Pet Lizards Eat?
The majority of pet lizards are insectivores. This means they eat insects as their main food source. Crickets are the most common feeder insect. They are easy to buy and provide good nutrition if fed well themselves.
Other common feeder insects include mealworms, dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae. Each insect has a different nutritional profile. Some are high in fat. Others are higher in protein. A good diet rotates between two or three types of insects.
Gut-loading is important. This means feeding the insects nutritious food before offering them to the lizard. Insects fed on fresh vegetables and commercial gut-load diets pass more vitamins to the lizard. Dusting insects with calcium powder is also standard practice for most insectivorous lizards kept indoors.
Do Any Lizards Eat Plants and Vegetables?
Yes. Many lizards are omnivores or herbivores. Green iguanas are strict herbivores as adults. They eat leafy greens, vegetables, and some fruits. They should never be fed insects or animal protein.
Bearded dragons are omnivores. Young bearded dragons eat mostly insects. As they grow older, their diet shifts to more plant matter. Adult bearded dragons do well on a mix of leafy greens like collard greens and mustard greens, along with vegetables like squash and bell peppers.
Common plant foods for herbivorous lizards include:
- Dark leafy greens such as collard greens, dandelion greens, and turnip greens
- Squash and zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Berries in small amounts
- Papaya and mango
Fruits should be a small part of the diet. They are high in sugar. Too much fruit can lead to obesity and digestive problems in lizards.
What Do Wild Lizards Eat?
Wild lizards eat whatever their environment provides. This varies hugely by region and species. In the southwestern United States, desert lizards like the western fence lizard eat ants, beetles, and spiders. They also eat small caterpillars when available.
Some studies suggest that wild lizards adjust their diet seasonally. During spring, insects are more abundant and lizards eat more protein. In drier months, some species eat more plant material if insects are scarce. This flexibility helps them survive when food is limited.
Larger wild lizards have different diets. Monitor lizards eat insects, birds, eggs, and small mammals. Komodo dragons eat large prey like deer and water buffalo. These are extreme examples. Most pet lizards are much smaller and have simpler needs.
One non-obvious point: wild lizards often eat things that pet owners should not offer. Wild lizards eat slugs, snails, and wild-caught insects that may carry parasites. Feeding wild-caught insects to a pet lizard is risky. They can introduce diseases or pesticide exposure.
What Foods Are Dangerous for Lizards?
Some foods are toxic to lizards and should never be offered. Fireflies are deadly. They contain a chemical called lucibufagin that can kill a lizard within hours. Even one firefly can be fatal. This is well established in veterinary literature.
Avocado is also dangerous for many lizards. It contains persin, which can cause heart and respiratory problems. Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid and can cause kidney damage. Onions and garlic can cause blood cell damage.
Insects caught outdoors carry risks. Wild insects may have been exposed to pesticides. They can also carry internal parasites. Commercial feeder insects are bred specifically to be safe and nutritious. They are the better choice.
Current research suggests that feeding too many high-fat insects like waxworms or superworms can cause fatty liver disease in lizards. These should be treats, not staples. A good rule is to keep fatty insects to less than 10 percent of the total diet.
How Often Should You Feed a Lizard?
Feeding frequency depends on the lizard’s age, species, and size. Young growing lizards need to eat more often than adults. A juvenile bearded dragon may eat insects twice a day. An adult may eat insects every other day plus fresh vegetables daily.
Herbivorous lizards like green iguanas need fresh food every day. They graze throughout the day. Food should be removed after a few hours to prevent spoilage. Uneaten insects should also be removed to prevent them from biting the lizard.
Nocturnal lizards like leopard geckos eat at night. They are fed insects in the evening. They do not need plant matter. Their digestive system is designed for insects only.
The table below shows general feeding guidelines for common pet lizards:
| Lizard Species | Primary Diet | Feeding Frequency (Adults) |
|---|---|---|
| Bearded Dragon | Insects and plants | Insects every other day, greens daily |
| Leopard Gecko | Insects only | Every 2-3 days |
| Crested Gecko | Fruit and insects | Commercial diet every other day |
| Green Iguana | Plants only | Daily fresh greens and vegetables |
| Blue-Tongue Skink | Insects and plants | Every 2-3 days |
What Do Baby Lizards Eat Differently?
Baby lizards have higher protein needs than adults. They grow quickly and need more insects to support that growth. A baby bearded dragon may eat 20 to 50 small crickets per day. An adult may eat only 10 to 15.
The size of food matters. Insects should be no larger than the space between the lizard’s eyes. If the insect is too big, it can cause impaction or choking. Baby lizards also need more frequent calcium supplementation because their bones are developing rapidly.
Some species eat different things as babies than as adults. Baby green iguanas eat more insects than adult iguanas do. As they grow, they gradually shift to a plant-only diet. This is normal and should be supported by offering both options.
As of 2026, current research suggests that baby lizards benefit from smaller, more frequent meals. Feeding three times a day for very young lizards is common in captivity. This mimics the frequent feeding opportunities they would have in the wild.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Lizard Diets?
A common myth is that all lizards eat lettuce. Iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value. It is mostly water. Feeding iceberg lettuce to a herbivorous lizard can fill its stomach without providing any real nutrition. Dark leafy greens are much better.
Another myth is that lizards can eat dog or cat food. This is not true. Dog and cat food has too much protein and fat for most lizards. It also contains ingredients that lizards cannot digest properly. It can cause kidney damage over time.
Some people believe that mealworms can be a staple food. Mealworms are high in fat and low in calcium. Feeding too many can cause obesity and metabolic bone disease. They should be used as an occasional treat, not a main food source.
There is also a widespread claim that lizards need fruit daily. Most lizards do not need fruit at all. Fruit is high in sugar and low in calcium. It should be a very small part of an omnivorous lizard’s diet. Herbivorous lizards do better with vegetables and greens than with fruit.
What is widely claimed though strong evidence is limited is that vitamin supplements can replace a poor diet. Supplements help correct specific deficiencies. They do not make up for a diet that is fundamentally wrong for the species. A proper diet comes first. Supplements are secondary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lizards eat fruits every day?
No. Most lizards do not need fruit daily. Fruit is high in sugar and should be a small treat, not a daily food.
What is the best insect to feed a pet lizard?
Crickets and dubia roaches are good staples. They have a good balance of protein and calcium when gut-loaded properly.
Is it safe to feed wild-caught insects to a lizard?
No. Wild insects can carry parasites and pesticides. Commercial feeder insects are safer and more nutritious.
Do all lizards need calcium supplements?
Most pet lizards benefit from calcium supplementation. Lizards kept indoors without UVB lighting need it most.
