Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was given an iquana a short time ago that was in very bad shape. I have snakes, so the guy thought I could take care of him. It was totally gray, several toes had dried out and falling off.

I did a quick internet search for ig diet. Got him some veggies and meal worms. The guy said it was the first time he had ever seen it eat. It absolutely loves meal worms.

Then I read that they shouldn't have protiens like meal worms. I have him on the proper diet now, mustard greens, acorn and butternut squash, dandilion greens, alfalfa, occasional grapes, strawberries, pears, etc. He still eats very good. He did fatten up and get nice and green with the meal worms, and still looks and acts good.

My question is, are meal worms bad in limited amounts. He did hold weight better with them and would gobble them up instead of anything else if offered. I feel like he is deprived of his favorite, lol.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

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1.2 Ghost Corns, Beetlejuice, Casper and Spooky
1.1 Charcoal het pewter, Smokey and Flame
1.1 Hypo het lavender, Rosy and Rocko (RIP Rosy)
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Gypsy

Honestly I cant say one or two here or there are going to cause problems. I have however dealt with WAY too much renal failure in animals fed animal protein over the years to say it is a good idea. Their bodies are designed to process vegetation, not animals. Therefore including animal protein in their diet could very well have a significant negative health effect. More often than not the result is renal failure and that is SOOOO Not pretty.

So can you? Yes, you can feed anything.

Would I suggest it, nope.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Thanks for your reply. Daisy has been doing fine without the meal worms for a few months, but boy when she had them she gobble them up and look for more. Oh well, her favorite greens are mustard greens and every once in a while the produce stand will break up a pint of strawberries for me and I have a yard full of hibiscus for a treat. I guess Daisy will have to make due.

Thanks again for the reply, no more meal worms for daisy. I'm not one to ask for advise and then ignore it.
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1.2 Ghost Corns, Beetlejuice, Casper and Spooky
1.1 Charcoal het pewter, Smokey and Flame
1.1 Hypo het lavender, Rosy and Rocko (RIP Rosy)
1.0 Anery, Goku
0.1 Amel, Sunny
2.0 Tabby Cats, Daddycat and his son Brat
0.1 Australian Shepherd, Angel (RIP Angel)
0.1 Blizzard Corn
0.1 Snow Corn
1 Ball Python
1 WC Yellow Rat
2 WC Normal Corns
1.1 Dumerils Boas
0.1 Redtail Boa
1.0 Dwarf Reticulated Pyton

Gypsy