Reptile & Amphibian Forums

just looking for some advice (either first hand, or just a good website or something) on how to vary my mali's diet. Since her previous owner only gave her iceburg lettuce with no supplements for the two years he had her, I figured it would be best to give her a stable diet for a while, of mainly greens (almost entirely dandelion greens). Now I want to give her something to eat that is good for her, and that she can enjoy. I am wondering if there's anywhere I can look that will give me specific advice? Here's the main things I am looking to achieve with her new and improved diet:

-healthy...very important to me and my lizards. Pretty self explanitory.

-good tasting...I want her to be able to enjoy eating...though it appears as though she already does.

-Not very fattening...if anything, she needs to lose a little weight.

-variety...I'd prefer not giving her the same thing everyday. I was thinking having a basic diet that she would be given everyday, but then certain "snacks" to give her once a week or so. She's an adult, so I'm not sure I want to go the insect route, but if she would enjoy them, maybe a superworm or two each week or two? Not sure. The general consensus I've seen is that adults don't need insects, and too much will cause health problems.

So if you have any suggestions or know of any good websites, let me know please

thanks

The deerfernfarms website has a good care sheet as well as a photo guide of edible flowers.

I use part spring mix as a base, as it has a large variety of different greens and then each time I shop, I purchase a different type of the dark leafy greens to add, rounding out the diet but keeping a variety. Now that the weather is warm here, I also add dandelion heads, hibiscus and nasturtiums. The uros like color, so they are very attracted to the flowers. With the greens, I also add either zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potatoe, frozen, thawed mixed veggies and on occasion, red pepper. I sprinkle calcium, vitamins, minerals and bee pollen over the top and mix it well. Mine are doing well, growing and gaining weight steadily. Good luck!

Pam

What a pretty pic, awesome color !
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Eve

Thanks, Eve! His personality matches his color. He is the sweetest boy in the world. Loves to be held and never runs away.

Pam

The two above posts are good advice. To add, just your trip to the grocery store can turn up good variety. Along with dandelions greens, you can often find, collard greens, turnup greens, mustard greens (mine like these), kale - fed in moderation, bok choy, and nappa cabbage - not green or red cabbage. I don't do the spring mix as many times there are leaves from greens that are nto recommended for uros.
Superworms - I heard that you want to stay away from those, but rather mealworms are safer. The "giant" mealworms are my uros favorite treats. Rocky goes so nuts for him, he'll run to my hand if he thinks I have one (see him here or here if that doesn't work)
I've bought a plant from a nursery that I bought where I got the name from a "safe list," but I don't remember the name. They all love it and it produces load of flowers from about 2 weeks ago until late fall. Can post picture if you want, they're pretty common around here in people's landscaped yards.
Hope that helps.
Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII

>> Can post picture if you want, they're pretty common around here in people's landscaped yards.
>>Hope that helps.
>>Jim

I would like to see a picture! My guys love flowers and variety is nice!
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Uromastyx Maliensis (Tank and Turtle)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras (Frank and Jesse)
0.0.2 Dwarf Sucking Oto (Tootsie and Dum-Dum)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Here ya go. While the sun is on the plant, almost every bud is open and bright. If you get the name of the plant, let me know. I'll need to get more for the new house.
Thanks

-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII

Nice picture! I am not a flower person either, but it looks like some type of daisy or black eyed susans. If someone out there knows for sure I would be interested too. Thanks Jim!

Pam

Very pretty - look tasty! No idea what they are, though.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Uromastyx Maliensis (Tank and Turtle)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras (Frank and Jesse)
0.0.2 Dwarf Sucking Oto (Tootsie and Dum-Dum)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

To get a size comparison, here's Rocky going to town (some of you may have seen this) for the flower. He loves 'em!

WMV format video
>>Here ya go. While the sun is on the plant, almost every bud is open and bright. If you get the name of the plant, let me know. I'll need to get more for the new house.
>>Thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>-Jim
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>>2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII
>>

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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII