What Do Lizards Eat? A Complete Species-by-Species Feeding Guide

By the Talis-us Reptile Team | Reviewed by a Licensed Veterinarian Last reviewed: July 2026 · Updated regularly

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TLDR

• Lizards fall into four dietary categories: herbivores, insectivores, omnivores, and carnivores. The right diet depends entirely on the species.

• Most pet lizards need live insects as part or all of their diet — and those insects must be gut-loaded with nutrients before each feeding.

• Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation is critical for nearly every pet lizard species; deficiency leads to metabolic bone disease.

• Never feed lizards wild-caught insects, avocados, fireflies, citrus fruits, onions, or garlic.

• Juvenile lizards require more frequent feedings and higher protein ratios than adults.

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Table of Contents

• The Four Lizard Dietary Types

• What Do Lizards Eat by Species?

• Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Lizards

• Foods That Are Toxic to Lizards

• Gut-Loading and Dusting: Why It Matters

• Feeding Schedules by Age

• Frequently Asked Questions

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The Four Lizard Dietary Types

The single most important step before feeding any lizard is identifying its dietary category. Feeding an iguana crickets or a leopard gecko leafy greens is not just unhelpful — it can cause serious nutritional harm.

According to Dr. Sean Perry, DVM, reviewed by Dr. Lauren Jones, VMD (PetMD), lizards fall into four categories:

Dietary Type	What They Eat	Common Pet Species
Herbivores	Plants, leaves, flowers, some fruit	Green iguana, spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx)
Insectivores	Live insects exclusively	Leopard gecko, green anole, many smaller gecko species
Omnivores	Both plant matter and live insects/protein	Bearded dragon, blue-tongue skink, crested gecko, water dragon
Carnivores	Larger prey — insects, rodents, other animals	Monitor lizards, Gila monsters, tegus

PetMD notes that only about 2% of lizards are strictly herbivorous, and most popular pet species fall into the omnivore category. That said, dietary needs shift with age: some species that are strict insectivores as juveniles shift to more omnivorous diets as adults.

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What Do Lizards Eat by Species?

Bearded Dragons (Omnivores)

Bearded dragons are one of the most commonly kept pet lizards, and they have well-studied dietary needs that change significantly from juvenile to adult.

According to the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, adult bearded dragons should be fed the following ratio:

Food Category	Proportion of Diet	Examples
Dark leafy greens	50%	Collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens
Grated/chopped vegetables	20%	Squash, sweet potato, zucchini, carrot, bean sprouts
Animal protein (insects)	25%	Crickets, roaches, superworms, black soldier fly larvae
Fruits	5% maximum	Papaya, mango, melon, apple, blueberries (treats only)

Juvenile bearded dragons under 4 months require a near-inverted ratio: insects account for the majority of the diet, with greens offered at every meal to begin establishing the association. The NC State CVM guide notes that juveniles under one month should be fed 2–3 times daily, while adults can be fed every day or every other day.

Critical note: Never feed a bearded dragon an insect whose length exceeds the width of the dragon's head. Oversized prey can cause impaction.

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Leopard Geckos (Insectivores)

Leopard geckos are strict insectivores. No vegetables, no fruits — just insects.

Per ReptiFiles' leopard gecko feeding guide, a reliable rule for portion sizing is: offer 2 appropriately-sized bugs per 1 inch of your gecko's total length, or however much the gecko can eat in 15 minutes.

According to All Creatures Animal Clinic, the supplement schedule for leopard geckos is:

• Dust insects with calcium/vitamin D3 powder 4–5 times per week

• Dust with a multivitamin once per week (must contain pre-formed Vitamin A, not beta-carotene)

Important safety note from ReptiFiles: Do not leave feeder crickets in the enclosure unattended. Crickets will bite sleeping geckos, sometimes causing injury. Always remove uneaten feeders after each session.

Good feeder insects for leopard geckos:

• Crickets (staple)

• Mealworms

• Hornworms

• Calci-worms (black soldier fly larvae)

• Waxworms and superworms (occasional treats only — high in fat)

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Green Iguanas (Herbivores)

Green iguanas are strict herbivores — and specifically folivores, meaning leaves form the foundation of their diet. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, authored by Gregory Rich DVM, Laurie Hess DVM, and Rick Axelson DVM, iguanas are hindgut fermenters with specialized gut microbes that process high-fiber plant matter. Their gastrointestinal systems are not equipped to handle animal protein.

VCA recommends a diet focused on dark, leafy greens. Fruits should be very limited. The Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic adds that herbivorous reptile salads should be supplemented with calcium and vitamins daily for juveniles and every other week for adults.

Foods to avoid in herbivorous lizards' diets: dog food, cat food, any animal protein, and iceberg lettuce (nutritionally empty). Spinach, cabbage, and broccoli can be offered occasionally but not as staples, as they can interfere with calcium absorption.

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Blue-Tongue Skinks (Omnivores)

Blue-tongue skinks have one of the most varied diets of any commonly kept pet lizard. ReptiFiles' blue-tongue skink food guide notes that in the wild, skinks consume hundreds of different foods over a lifetime — variety is the key to success with this species.

As omnivores, blue-tongue skinks eat both plant matter and animal protein. Babies and juveniles are fed daily; adults can shift to every other day. Portion size is roughly the same volume as the skink's head. Their diet spans insects, wet dog food with named protein sources, leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruits.

These lizards are long-lived, reaching 15–20 years in captivity, so consistent, varied nutrition pays dividends over the long term.

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Crested Geckos (Omnivores)

Crested geckos are omnivores that thrive on a combination of fruit-based foods and live insects. According to GotFeeders' crested gecko nutrition guide, a complete commercial powder called "Complete Gecko Diet" (CGD) — mixed with water and offered 3–4 times per week — provides the nutritional backbone for captive crested geckos. Products with dried insects added to the CGD formula are preferred. Live insects like crickets can be offered as supplemental enrichment.

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Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Lizards

For herbivorous and omnivorous species, the following plant foods are generally safe, per PetMD's lizard diet guide (Dr. Sean Perry, DVM):

Safe vegetables and greens:

• Collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens

• Yellow squash, zucchini, sweet potato

• Kale, bok choy, escarole

• Romaine lettuce (not iceberg)

• Carrot, broccoli (in moderation)

Safe fruits (treat-only, limited portions):

• Strawberries, blueberries, grapes

• Apple, mango, papaya, melon

• Peaches, figs, apricots

Wash all produce before serving to remove pesticide residue, and cut pieces to no larger than half the width of the lizard's head to prevent choking.

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Foods That Are Toxic to Lizards

The following foods should never be given to any pet lizard, per PetMD:

Food	Reason to Avoid
Fireflies / lightning bugs	Extremely toxic; even one firefly can kill a small lizard
Avocados	Contains persin, which is toxic to reptiles
Citrus fruits	High acid content disrupts digestion
Ladybugs	Contain toxic alkaloids
Onions and garlic	Cause oxidative damage to red blood cells
Wild-caught insects	May carry pesticides, herbicides, and parasites
Dumb cane (dieffenbachia)	Common houseplant; causes oral burning and swelling
Iceberg lettuce	No nutritional value; can cause diarrhea

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Gut-Loading and Dusting: Why It Matters

Feeder insects on their own are nutritionally incomplete. Crickets and mealworms raised on basic feed have poor calcium-to-phosphorus ratios. Two techniques correct this.

Gut-loading: Feed insects a high-nutrient diet 24–72 hours before offering them to your lizard. The lizard then absorbs those nutrients when it eats the insect. As NC State CVM's guide explains, gut-loading is the most effective way to ensure adequate calcium delivery. Commercial gut-load diets are widely available at pet stores.

Dusting: Coat insects with a powdered calcium or vitamin supplement by gently shaking them in a bag before feeding. PetMD notes that dusting is a supplement to gut-loading, not a replacement for it.

Over-supplementation is as harmful as under-supplementation. A specific schedule — calibrated to your species — is the safest approach. Work with a reptile veterinarian to confirm the right frequency for your lizard.

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Feeding Schedules by Age

Life Stage	Feeding Frequency	Protein-to-Plant Ratio	Example (Bearded Dragon)
Hatchling (0–1 month)	2–3x daily	~70% protein / 30% greens	Pinhead crickets, mashed squash
Juvenile (1–4 months)	2x daily	~60% protein / 40% greens	Crickets, small roaches, greens salad
Sub-adult (4 months – 1 year)	1x daily	~50% protein / 50% greens	Crickets, superworms, salad
Adult (1+ year)	Every 1–2 days	~25% protein / 75% plant matter	Insects 2–3x/week, daily greens

Source: NC State College of Veterinary Medicine Bearded Dragon Feeding Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do all lizards eat insects?

No. Green iguanas, spiny-tailed lizards, and a small number of other lizard species are strict herbivores that should never eat insects. Always confirm your species' dietary type before feeding.

Can I feed my lizard fruits every day?

For most species, no. Fruits are high in sugar and should be treated as occasional additions — no more than 5–10% of the total diet, and only for species that can safely process plant matter. Never give fruits to strict insectivores like leopard geckos.

What happens if I don't supplement calcium?

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is the most common preventable illness in captive lizards, caused by calcium deficiency often combined with inadequate UVB lighting. Symptoms include limb deformities, tremors, jaw softening, and lethargy. It is treatable early but can be fatal if ignored.

Can lizards drink tap water?

Most lizards can drink treated tap water. However, many do not drink from standing dishes; they prefer to lick water droplets. Lightly misting the enclosure walls 1–2 times daily replicates this natural behavior. Always use a shallow, escape-proof dish if you provide a bowl.

How do I know if my lizard is eating enough?

Weight monitoring is the most reliable indicator. Weigh your lizard weekly on a kitchen scale and track the numbers. A healthy lizard should maintain stable weight during the adult phase. Persistent refusal to eat for more than 1–2 days in adults — or any refusal in hatchlings — warrants a vet visit.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Consult an exotic animal veterinarian for personalized dietary guidance for your lizard. The Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) maintains a directory of qualified reptile vets at arav.org.

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