Tegus can eat bananas, although it is not one of the healthiest food choices for them. Bananas are nutrient rich, contain vitamin A and C, potassium, antioxidants and minerals, however they are also high in phosphorus which can impact your tegu’s ability to absorb calcium and make it prone to illness.
It is best not to feed bananas to your tegu on a daily basis and to make sure to complement its diet with calcium supplements in order to avoid any nutrient deficiency.
What’s more, bananas are also some of the fruits with the highest sugar content out there, so they should be fed in moderation. You can eat half of the banana yourself, and feed the remaining half to your pet.
FAQs
Can I feed bananas to my tegu?
Yes, you can feed bananas to your tegu as a treat, but it should not be a significant part of their diet. While bananas are rich in nutrients, including vitamins A and C, potassium, and antioxidants, they are also high in sugar and phosphorus.
Too much sugar can cause weight gain and other health problems, while excess phosphorus can inhibit calcium absorption, leading to metabolic bone disease.
Can tegus eat banana peels?
Banana peels are technically edible and you can feed them to your tegu, although it is best to only do so with organic bananas to avoid having your pet exposed to harmful pesticides. Banana peels are a good source of fibers but you should not feed them too often as too much fiber can lead to impaction issues.
What are the best fruits to feed a tegu lizard?
The best fruits for a tegu lizard are ones that are low in sugar but high in nutrition. Berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, are great options as they are packed with antioxidants and fiber. Exotic fruits like mango, papaya, and kiwi are also excellent choices as they are high in vitamins and minerals. If you want to feed your tegu bananas, it is best to do so in moderation, as they are high in sugar and phosphorus, which can impact calcium absorption.
Instead of bananas, consider feeding your tegu small amounts of apples, pears, or melons as they are low in sugar but still provide important nutrients. Keep in mind that fruit should only make up a small percentage of your tegu’s diet, with the majority of their food coming from vegetables, lean meats, and calcium supplements.
TEGU QUICK LINKS
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.