Wild animals need specialized diets that mimic their natural food and supplementation they would receive in their native habitats. Providing the variety of foods they need to thrive can be tricky but there are some great resources to help make captive care nutrition easy and fun!
There are thousands of reptile species worldwide and more reptile species are kept as pets than any other taxa. For as many types of reptiles that are kept, there are as many natural history strategies that these species demonstrate in their wild habitat.
Nutrition in Reptiles. ByJoeke Nijboer, PhD, Nijboer Consultancy; Anouk Fens, MSc, Apenheul Primate Park (NL).a Nutrient concentrations are recommended minimums for carnivorous reptiles and averages for omnivorous reptiles. b Nutrient levels expressed on a dry-matter basis.
Pros and Cons of Feeding Live Prey to Snakes. Although reptiles are equipped to successfully obtain their meals from the wild, it is a mistake to equate this ability with the need to feed upon live prey in captivity.
Care of captive reptiles must address good nutrition at several levels; the daily satisfaction and health of the reptile as well as the long-term contributions to growth, maturation, defense against disease and reproductive health-the hallmark of good nutrition.
