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Can Tegus Eat Tomatoes?

Tegus can eat tomatoes, but they should be fed sporadically as they lead to stomach issues and other health implications.

Tomatoes contain vitamin C, A, antioxidants and fiber, so they are not poor in nutrients.

Despite their health benefits, tomatoes are very acidic and somewhat high in oxalates, so they can cause problems in large quantities.

Tegu and tomatoes
Tegu vs tomatoes

Things to Consider

Some things to keep in mind when feeding tomatoes to your tegu lizard:

Tomatoes have low calcium levels, which is essential for healthy bones and development.

This means that feeding your tegu with too many tomatoes can lead to calcium deficiency which is not good for your pet.

Tomatoes have an undesirable ratio of calcium and phosphorous such that the existence of phosphorous in tomatoes prevents absorption of calcium in the body.

This leads to calcium deficiency in your tegu or, in the most extreme cases, to metabolic bone disease.

Tomato plants should never be fed to tegus. Because it’s part of the nightshade family all parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and flowers, as well as unripe fruits, contain alkaloids that are known to be toxic to reptiles.

These alkaloids can cause a variety of health problems in tegus, including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.

The only part of the tomato plant that is safe for tegus to eat is the ripe , red tomato fruit.

Green, unripe tomatoes contain solanine and should thus be avoided.

Better alternatives

Bell peppers can provide tegu with vitamin C and all the benefits of tomatoes without being high in oxalates.

All kinds of squash, radish, carrots and green beans can also be fed regularly.

See: best vegetables for tegu lizards.


Juvenile Tegu Lizard with Tomato
Juvenile Tegu Lizard with Tomato

Can tegus eat tomatoes?

Yes, tegus can consume tomatoes, but only on an occasional basis.

Tomatoes are packed with nutrients such as vitamins C and A, antioxidants, and fiber.

Despite these benefits, tomatoes contain a significant amount of oxalates.This can disrupt the absorption of calcium in the body.

Tomatoes are also quite acidic, which can cause upset stomach.

In general, it’s a good idea to offer tegus other types of vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens, while limiting consumption of tomatoes.

Can tegus eat tomato plants or leaves?

No, tegus should not consume tomato plants or leaves.

Tomato plants are part of the nightshade family, and all parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and flowers, contain alkaloids.

These substances are known to be toxic to reptiles.

Can tegus eat green, unripe tomatoes?

No, tegus should avoid green, unripe tomatoes.

These tomatoes contain solanine, a toxic substance for many animals.

It’s best to only feed tegus tomato fruits that are red and fully ripened.

What are some alternatives to tomatoes for tegus?

Bell peppers are a great alternative to tomatoes for tegus.

They provide vitamin C and all the benefits of tomatoes without the high oxalate content.

Other suitable vegetables for tegus include all kinds of squash, radish, carrots with their tops, and green beans. These vegetables can be fed to tegus on a regular basis.



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