Tree lizards are small, agile, and arboreal reptiles that inhabit diverse environments, spending much of their time climbing. Their natural habitat, ranging from rocky terrain to forested areas, dictates a highly specialized diet that is complex to replicate in captivity. Understanding the specific nutritional requirements of these insectivorous reptiles is necessary for ensuring their long-term health. A successful diet must account for the nutrient density, variety, and hunting behaviors found in the wild.
Primary Wild Food Sources
In their natural habitats, tree lizards are invertivores, meaning their diet consists almost entirely of invertebrates. They primarily consume a wide array of insects and other arthropods found within their territories, including spiders, small beetles, various flies, and ant larvae. They hunt using a “sit-and-wait” predatory style, waiting motionless from an elevated position to ambush unsuspecting prey. While their diet is predominantly animal matter, some species may occasionally ingest trace amounts of plant material or fruit, but they are not considered true omnivores.
Replicating the Diet in Captivity
Translating the wild diet to a captive setting requires a focus on variety and proper nutrient preparation. Acceptable commercial feeder insects form the bulk of the captive diet and commonly include crickets, dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae. Waxworms and mealworms can be offered sparingly as treats due to their higher fat content, which should not exceed 5% of the total diet.
All feeder insects must be “gut-loaded” 24 to 48 hours prior to feeding. This process involves feeding the insects dark leafy greens and commercial formulas to elevate their nutritional profile, ensuring the lizard receives beneficial nutrients from the insect’s gut contents. Juvenile tree lizards require daily feedings of appropriately sized prey, while adults can be fed every other day. Prey items should never be wider than the space between the lizard’s eyes, as feeding oversized insects risks impaction and choking.
Essential Nutrient Supplements
Captive-raised insects often lack the diverse nutritional content of their wild counterparts, particularly calcium and certain vitamins. Nutritional supplementation is necessary to prevent metabolic bone disease (MBD) and is provided as calcium powder and a multivitamin blend. Calcium powder without Vitamin D3 should be dusted onto feeder insects at almost every feeding for growing lizards and several times a week for adults. Calcium with D3 is necessary for lizards that do not receive adequate ultraviolet B (UVB) light exposure, as D3 is required for calcium absorption.
D3 can be toxic in excess, so this supplement is administered less frequently, typically once or twice a month, depending on the enclosure’s lighting setup. A dedicated multivitamin supplement, containing Vitamin A and other micronutrients, should be used once a week. Dusting is accomplished by placing the insects in a container with the powder and gently shaking until they are lightly coated. For hydration, arboreal species often prefer drinking water droplets, so misting the enclosure daily is usually more effective than relying on a standing water dish.
Toxic and Unsafe Food Items
Certain items pose a direct threat to a tree lizard’s health and must be avoided. The most commonly cited danger is the firefly, which contains a potent defensive toxin called lucibufagin that is cardiotoxic and can be fatal even in small amounts. Wild-caught insects should never be offered, as they may carry parasites or have been exposed to harmful pesticides. Human foods are also unsafe; items like dairy, processed foods, and high-acid fruits such as citrus can cause severe gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, do not feed insects that are too large or have particularly hard exoskeletons, as these can be difficult to digest and may lead to impaction.