Lizards are primarily carnivores but can also be omnivorous and their diet is determined mainly by their body size and structure. Some lizards are small and eat worms and insects, while some lizards like the Komodo dragon are huge and devour animals as large as a deer.
Lizards are ambush predators that sit and wait for their prey to come, whereas some lizards lure their prey by mimicking the movement of their prey. Here we will be discussing what lizards eat and avoid in our home and the wild.
1. Insects
Lizards love insects. Insects are a big part of lizards' diet, especially the smaller ones. Insects provide them with essential vitamins, protein, and other nutrients.
At our home, lizards usually eat mosquitoes, spiders, cockroaches, house flies, fruit flies, and other insects. A prime example is the common house gecko, one of the very common lizards that eat all the insects and spiders that can fit in its mouth.
So what does lizard eat? Although the majority of lizards are insectivores or carnivores, some omnivores lizards feed on both the plant-based diet as well as animal products. Some species feed on fruits that are common at our home and in our garden. Fruits provide them with Vitamin C and also keep them hydrated.
They enjoy bananas, berries, mangoes, strawberries, apples, figs, etc. Some lizards unknowingly help in seed dispersal by consuming fruits and then dispersing seeds in their droppings. Thus contributing to plant regeneration and contributing in ecological diversity in our surroundings.
3. Vegetables
Several garden lizards are herbivores and omnivores and prefer eating green leaves and vegetables. It's the only way the herbivore lizards obtain their calories and keep them safe from dehydration. Some omnivores feed on leafy greens and vegetables when other food sources become scarce.
Lizards like Uromastyx are herbivores and primarily feed on leafy greens and fresh vegetables from your fields and garden. This provides them with fibers and antioxidants as well.
4. Ants
Some lizards eat ants including the ant larvae because ants are very abundant, and accessible. They also provide lizards with good nutrition as ants have protein, fats, and amino acids which are necessary for these lizards. Lizards that live in dry environments often get water from ants, which then helps them from getting dehydrated.
Lizards like Texas Horned Lizards have a special diet that includes ants. Some lizards also eat invasive ant species like fire ants, which release venoms that could seriously injure small animals.
5. Worms
Worms are a part of both carnivores' and omnivores' lizards' diets. As worms are abundant in and around human settlements, these lizards love eating them.
Worms are commonly found in moist and detritus soil and are rich in protein, vitamins, and calcium, which are essential for lizards' growth. In addition, worms are easy to digest and small lizards prefer to devour them.
If you wonder what does the lizard eat, lizard like Leopard Gecko usually consume mealworms and earthworms along with other insects in our garden.
6. Snails and Slugs
Snails and slugs are some of what animals do lizards eat. They have become pests, munching on green leaves and vegetables in the garden. Luckily, some lizards devour these snails and slugs as a part of their feeding habit. Additionally, snails and slugs are slow moving which makes them easy prey.
Lizards like Southern Alligator Lizards eat snails and slugs, which help in making our garden pest-free. Lizards can break the shells of snails with their strong jaws and feed on the soft body tissues of snails. However, if lizards feed on shells, it can cause health implications.
7. Seeds
If you wonder, what does a lizard eat, not all herbivore lizards eat seeds, some are known to feed on seeds of a few plants, particularly sunflower and grass seeds. Lizards with strong jaws often feed on seeds of different plants.
Seeds are rich in carbohydrates and fat, carbohydrates, and a good source of calories for lizards. Even though seeds are not the only source of diet, lizards like Sinks and Chuckwalla get energy from different plant materials including fallen seeds diversifying their food sources.
8. Flowers
Some lizards choose to feed on the sugar and nectar of different flowers, along with their regular diet, which provides them with nutrients and also keeps them hydrated. This shows their unique ability to extract nutrients and energy for their growth and survival.
Many species of Anoles, which are omnivores feed on the nectars of flowers. Additionally, some Geckos are also known to visit nectars of many flowers. This diversity in their food sources keeps them well-fed during hard times, like in the dry season.
9. Human Food
Although it is not common for lizards to feed on human foods, some lizards are known to scavenge the food remains like fruits, bread, etc. in some urban and peri-urban environments, whereas some lizards depend on livestock feed when food resources become scarce.
What Do Lizards Eat in the Wild
As we discussed above, lizards have a wide variety of diets, from insects to fruits. Just like around human settlements, they depend on fruits, leafy greens, and insects, and also feed on animals like mice, deer, etc. Some of the food that lizards eat in the wild is discussed in the section below.
10. Mice
Some bigger lizards hunt and prey on mice along with other animals. Because of their powerful jaws and sharp teeth, they can tear up mice easily and feed on them. Mice provide them with the necessary animal-based proteins.
Lizards like monitor lizards have a robust and muscular body that can easily overpower mice and can easily kill them. Additionally, these big lizards have a good digestive system that can digest the fatty tissues and proteins of mice.
11. Frogs and Tadpoles
Some big lizards that live near the wetlands feed on various amphibians including frogs and tadpoles as they are abundant and not that difficult to catch. This provides them with protein, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.
Lizards like water dragons, collared lizards, etc feed on frogs and tadpoles as they are abundant and easier to hunt.
Some lizards, especially those that are aquatic or semi-aquatic feed on aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, including fish. Fish provides them with fats, proteins, and different other essential nutrients necessary for their growth and survival.
Lizards like water monitors can move through water very quickly and have developed amazing hunting techniques in water. They use this skill to hunt fish and other aquatic animals as well.
13. Birds and Eggs
Small lizards do not feed on birds. However, some big lizards that live on the tree have developed a particular diet where they feed on the eggs of birds, juvenile birds, and adult ones as well, from where they get protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
Big lizards have strong jaws and have no problems eating meat or breaking eggshells. Lizards such as Nile monitor lizards are known to feed on the eggs of different birds, nestlings, and adult ones.
14. Scorpion
Lizards that live in arid climates or deserts have developed a unique taste for scorpions. These desert lizards even have immunity against the venom of scorpions.
Lizards such as Western Banded Geckos dine on the scorpions and do not mind their venom. This unique behavior is due to the scarcity of food in the desert and the lizards eat even the scorpion to survive.
15. Grasshoppers and Locusts
The majority of lizards, especially the smaller ones, feed on grasshoppers and locusts. Grasshoppers and locusts are abundant in the warm season, the period of peak activity of lizards. This coincidence provides ample food sources for lizards. These insects are easy to prey on and are also rich in protein, fats, and minerals.
Leopard Geckos primarily feed on insects like grasshoppers and locusts, which provide them with protein, calcium, and phosphorous. These nutrients are essential for their growth and development.
As dragonflies and damselflies are abundant near waterbodies, lizards living near them usually catch them for food. Like grasshoppers and locusts, they are abundant in the warm season. additionally, they are easier to catch and are a very good source of fats and protein for the lizards.
Dragonflies and damselflies are relatively larger and can provide them with enough food for some time. Several lizards including anoles hunt dragonflies and damselflies every day which helps to balance the population of these insects in the wild.
17. Butterflies and Moths
Lizards frequently hunt butterflies and moths for food. Like many insects, they are abundant and quite easy to hunt. Besides this, they have a good nutritional value, providing lizards with protein and other minerals.
Lizards may hunt these insects in every stage of their lifecycle, i.e., eggs, larvae, pupa, and adults. However, some of them might have toxins and give an unpleasant taste. So, lizards tend to avoid those with toxins. Brown anoles are well-known predators of butterflies and moths and regularly feed on them.
Larger reptiles often prey on snakes, and other reptiles, including smaller lizards. They are also known to be cannibalistic feeding on lizards of their kind, which provides them with food and energy and reduces mating competition.
Lizards like monitor lizards can kill snakes, while collared lizards eat different lizards for food. Likewise, Microlophus lizards are known to feed on other members of the same species, whereas some Iguanas feed on hatchlings and juvenile Iguanas.
19. Large Mammals
Some big lizards can kill large prey like water buffalos or deer in the wild. Having larger prey means they do not have to hunt frequently.
Hunting larger prey requires a robust body and strength. Lizards like Komodo dragons are known to hunt and devour deer, water buffaloes, pigs, etc. by overcoming with their powerful body and strong jaws.
20. Algae and Moss
Lizards that are found in humid tropical regions feed on algae and moss that are found on rocks, trees, and other surfaces. Some lizards even eat the moss that are grown in the water. Algae and moss provide reptiles with necessary vitamins, calcium, and magnesium, and are a source of hydration.
Some Iguanas, green Anoles, etc eat a variety of plant matter such as algae and moss in the wild. This is often seen when the food source has become scarce.
21. Termites
Termites are another great source of food and energy for small lizards. Termites have high energy content relative to their body size and are loaded with essential vitamins like Vitamin D and calcium as well. These ensure the growth and development of lizards.
Lizards like Geckos and Skinks feed on a wide variety of insects including termites. As termites live in a colony, they are abundant and are easy prey, and are convenient food sources for many species of lizards.
22. Crickets
Crickets are another major diet of several small lizards. Like many insects, crickets are abundant and are rich in vitamins, proteins, and several other nutrients. Additionally, crickets are neither too big nor too small, making them perfect prey.
Several species of lizards including Leopard Gecko, Bearded Dragon, Green Anole, etc. hunt crickets actively for food.
23. Beetles
Lizards that eat insects also eat beetles. They are a good source of protein, Vitamin B, phosphorous, and calcium. Lizards eat various types of beetles and their larva as food. Beetles like dung beetles, stag beetles, ladybugs, ground beetles, etc. are common food sources for lizards.
Anoles, Chameleon, common Skinks, etc. feed on a variety of insects, including beetles.
24. Aquatic Plants
Some lizards do eat aquatic plants, especially those living near the water bodies. These plants can provide nutrients and are a source of hydration among lizards.
Green Iguanas living near a wetland or water system might feed on water lilies, while common Blue-Tongue Skinks might feed on the leaves and shoots of water hyacinth.
Food Lizards Don't Eat
Although lizards have a wide variety of diets from green plants to insects and mammals, they tend to avoid certain fruits and food items. Below are some foods lizards avoid eating most of the time.
Lizards prefer foods that are easy to digest. They tend to avoid citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, etc. as these fruits have a strong odor and sour taste. In addition, citrus fruits have citric acid that can disrupt the gastrointestinal system.
Consumption of citrus fruits can lead to irritation in the intestine, diarrhea, stomach cramps, etc. in the lizards. That is why they have an instinct to avoid such fruits.
Avocados are very toxic to all animals, including lizards. This fruit contains a fungicidal toxin called person, which when ingested can disrupt the digestive tract, cause heart problems, and in some cases lead to the death of the animals.
Avocados are not native to many parts of the world where lizards thrive. Therefore, they usually do not try to eat unknown fruits or other food.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is highly toxic to most animals including lizards, especially the leaves. It also has oxalic acid which can damage kidneys and can cause other health issues like disruption in gastrointestinal systems, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Because of its toxic properties and bitter taste, lizards usually avoid rhubarb in the wild while searching for food.
Although lizards eat frogs, they usually avoid poisonous frogs like dart frogs, which have enough poison to kill a lizard.
Poisonous frogs deter lizards and over time, they have developed an instinct to avoid such poisonous frogs from the colors and the pattern on the body of frogs. The combination of visual clues, chemical detection, and learned behavior makes them safe from such harmful frogs.
Wild Tomatoes
Tomatoes with high concentrations of glycoalkaloids might be toxic to most reptiles, including lizards. Therefore, herbivores and omnivore lizards do not feed on wild tomatoes in the wild.
In addition, tomatoes have high moisture content and acidity. This acidity can disrupt the digestive system of lizards. So, they tend to avoid eating it.