Re: Protein from live insects not a good idea!

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Posted by Mr. D on July 10, 2001 at 17:34:24:

In Reply to: Protein from live insects not a good idea! posted by James H. (Benny's Dad) on July 10, 2001 at 17:07:08:

I'd also be interested in what you are currently feeding her as well enclosure, light, and heat. Despite the fact that she may eat mealworms, everyone is correct in that iguanas are simply not designed to handle anything as far as animal protein. Kidneys, liver and thyroid can suffer irrepairable damage due to prolonged protein ingestion. Similairly, oversupplimentation can cause problems as well.
So far, everything that we've experienced supports James' statement that if you are feeding a good variety of the correct foods, combined with the correct heat, UV, and humidity there really should be little to no need for any kind of supplimentation.
This is where I disagree - somewhat. While the diet that James uses, in and of itself, is nutritionally correct as is Ms. Kaplan's diet, neither one lend themselves to any variety. Imagine that you love PB&J sandwiches and that, nutritionally, they were all that you would need to survive. Could you really live on nothing but PB&J for therest of your life ?
Iguanas tend to get bored, believe it or not, especially with their food. If given nothing but the same things day in and day out there is a decent chance that they will become bored and find no stimulation in their food. Around here we make fresh salads daily from a constantly rotating variety of veggies and occassional fruits. Every one of our igs that goes in for bloodwork invariably come back with slightly high Ca levels - completely and totally naturally without supplimentation.

The Iguana Spot

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I agree! variety of all the right foods is the way to go!.....more Tif 07/10/01 (0)

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: I'd also be interested in what you are currently feeding her as well enclosure, light, and heat. Despite the fact that she may eat mealworms, everyone is correct in that iguanas are simply not designed to handle anything as far as animal protein. Kidneys, liver and thyroid can suffer irrepairable damage due to prolonged protein ingestion. Similairly, oversupplimentation can cause problems as well. : So far, everything that we've experienced supports James' statement that if you are feeding a good variety of the correct foods, combined with the correct heat, UV, and humidity there really should be little to no need for any kind of supplimentation. : This is where I disagree - somewhat. While the diet that James uses, in and of itself, is nutritionally correct as is Ms. Kaplan's diet, neither one lend themselves to any variety. Imagine that you love PB&J sandwiches and that, nutritionally, they were all that you would need to survive. Could you really live on nothing but PB&J for therest of your life ? : Iguanas tend to get bored, believe it or not, especially with their food. If given nothing but the same things day in and day out there is a decent chance that they will become bored and find no stimulation in their food. Around here we make fresh salads daily from a constantly rotating variety of veggies and occassional fruits. Every one of our igs that goes in for bloodwork invariably come back with slightly high Ca levels - completely and totally naturally without supplimentation.

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