Re: Amount of greens to feed?

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Posted by BabyHerp on August 09, 2001 at 12:07:21:

In Reply to: Amount of greens to feed? posted by Alilia on August 08, 2001 at 22:59:30:

Speaking from experience....I know how frustrating and confusing info on iguana diets can be. An iguana diet should be as individualized as possible based on the health status and age of the iguana. We can only try and duplicate nutrition iguanas seek out in the wild.Immature iguanas seek out hi calcium, higher plant protein for growth, when older switch to a hi calcium, hi fiber diet. Every single plant food has phytochemicals in them, making them harmful if fed exclusively or as a staple. Hi oxalates foods (rhubarb, spinach etc.), Hi phytates (cereal grains) and hi goitrogenic foods (cabbage)can be fed, but are so high in these phytochemicals that to feed regularly will definately cause metabolic problems with your iguana, so we strike them off our list as an appropriate food for our iguanas. Its a balancing act.Iguanas by nature, in the wild, are folivorous frugivores (leaf and fruit eaters) Remember we're trying to duplicate what they get in the wild. Since alot dark LEAFy greens are also a good source of calcium,to feed a larger percent of their diet this is GOOD! Don't get hung up on quantity, percentages etc. Its basically an obscure tool to get a point across. Everyone has their own opinions on what constitutes the ULTIMATE iguana diet. What's your's? Variety, moderation, and lots of hydration!

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: Speaking from experience....I know how frustrating and confusing info on iguana diets can be. An iguana diet should be as individualized as possible based on the health status and age of the iguana. We can only try and duplicate nutrition iguanas seek out in the wild.Immature iguanas seek out hi calcium, higher plant protein for growth, when older switch to a hi calcium, hi fiber diet. Every single plant food has phytochemicals in them, making them harmful if fed exclusively or as a staple. Hi oxalates foods (rhubarb, spinach etc.), Hi phytates (cereal grains) and hi goitrogenic foods (cabbage)can be fed, but are so high in these phytochemicals that to feed regularly will definately cause metabolic problems with your iguana, so we strike them off our list as an appropriate food for our iguanas. Its a balancing act.Iguanas by nature, in the wild, are folivorous frugivores (leaf and fruit eaters) Remember we're trying to duplicate what they get in the wild. Since alot dark LEAFy greens are also a good source of calcium,to feed a larger percent of their diet this is GOOD! Don't get hung up on quantity, percentages etc. Its basically an obscure tool to get a point across. Everyone has their own opinions on what constitutes the ULTIMATE iguana diet. What's your's? Variety, moderation, and lots of hydration!

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