Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My pair of argentinians are about five years old. They are totally healthy, woke up later this year from hibernating, but they are still fat and healthy. They are shedding. Outside now, as they are in the spring through fall in a big pen in the backyard where they have a doghouse where they sleep in and under.

My question is what to do about the fact that they have gradually, starting last year, quit eating fruit. They just want mice, chicken and turkey. I try mixing fruit in with the meat but they try to pick the meat out and just eat it. Has anyone else had this happen? Any comments or suggestions? They used to eat fruit by itself but won't anymore.

Lucy
-----
Lucy
www.smalldragons.com

just give them only fruit everyday until they eat it.

I have black and white argentines, and blues, and there is a big difference between individuals about eating fruit. I have one argentine female who has never in her entire life to my knowledge eaten a peice of fruit.

the blues like fruit occasionally, seems like certain times of the year it tastes good to them. They like mandarin orange segments from the can, persimmons, grapes, peaches, sweet fruit.

two of my black and whites were rescued from being loose, and were quite skinny when I got them. They pigged out on fruit for the first two months I had them, eating everything they could get. Now that they are fattened up, they don't want fruit anymore.

I recommend offering fruit as a routine, but continue to feed mice as usual. I would not withhold their favorite foods just because they won't eat fruit. My experience is that these lizards generally know what they're doing.

Maybe you can try to feed less meat and more fruit? If they're hungry enough I'd imagine they'd eat anything. Maybe also try fruit before feeding them their meal to get them used to it, while their hungry rather than having meat as an alternative. Another tactic, coat it in egg. They tend to like egg, and would probably eat fruit if egg was mixed over it.

Also, maybe try different fruits and veggies. I am at the point where I mix about 3 or 4 different fruits and veggies every night including spinach, oranges, strawberries, bananas, carrats, grapes, potatoes, pineapple, melons, peas, etc.

Good luck.

Mikal