Do Lizards Eat Plants

If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably wondered, do lizards eat plants? The sight of a lizard basking on a warm stone can be charming, but it might also make you worry about your precious greens. The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. While many lizards are insectivores, a significant number do include plants in their diet. Understanding this can help you create a harmonious garden that supports local wildlife.

Yes, many lizards do eat plants. This dietary habit is known as herbivory. It’s a common misconception that all lizards are purely meat-eaters. In reality, herbivory has evolved independently in several lizard families. From the mighty Green Iguana to the small Desert Iguana, plant matter forms the cornerstone of their nutrition. Recognizing which lizards eat plants helps you identify friends and potential nibblers in your garden beds.

Common Herbivorous and Omnivorous Lizards

Knowing your local lizard species is the first step. Here are some lizards known for eating vegetation:

Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana): These are almost entirely herbivorous, consuming leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Genus Ctenosaura): Primarily herbivores, favoring leaves, fruits, and flowers.
Desert Iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis): They eat creosote bush flowers and other desert plants.
Uromastyx (Spiny-tailed Lizards): Strict herbivores adapted to arid environments.
Prehensile-tailed Skinks (Corucia zebrata): These unique skinks are folivores, meaning they specialize in eating leaves.
Many Anole Species: While primarily insectivorous, they often consume nectar, pollen, and soft fruits.
Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps): Popular pets that are omnivores; their diet shifts from mostly insects to mostly plants as they age.

Why Some Lizards Evolved to Eat Plants

The shift to eating plants is a smart survival strategy. In environments where insects are scarce, like deserts or dense forests, plants provide a reliable food source. Plants don’t run away, making them an efficient meal. However, digesting tough plant cellulose is hard work. Herbivorous lizards have special adaptations, like longer digestive tracts and gut bacteria, to break down this fibrous material. It’s a fascinating example of evolution in action.

What Parts of Plants Do Lizards Eat?

Herbivorous lizards aren’t random grazers. They often have specific preferences based on availability and nutritional need. Their menu can include:

Leaves: A primary source of fiber and nutrients for folivores like iguanas.
Flowers: A nutritious and often softer option, rich in sugars and pollen.
Fruits: A favorite for many species due to high sugar and water content.
Stems and Shoots: Younger, tender growth is easier to eat and digest.
Nectar: Some anoles and geckos will drink nectar, acting as pollinators.

Garden Plants That May Attract (or Deter) Lizards

Your garden’s plant selection directly influences its lizard population. If you want to support herbivorous and omnivorous lizards, consider these plants:

Attractants: Hibiscus flowers, squash blossoms, dandelion greens, nasturtiums, berries, and native flowering plants. These provide safe, pesticide-free food.
Deterrents: Most lizards avoid plants with strong aromas, thick sap, or prickly textures. Lavender, rosemary, and prickly pear cactus (though some eat the fruit) are less palatable. Remember, deterring lizards means you might also lose their pest-control services.

Creating a Lizard-Friendly Garden

Welcoming lizards is beneficial. They are excellent natural pest controllers, eating slugs, snails, and insects. To create a habitat they’ll love:

Plant Native: Native plants attract native insects, which in turn feed insectivorous lizards and support the ecosystem herbivores live in.
Provide Water: A shallow dish of water or a small birdbath with safe exit points is essential.
Offer Shelter: Rock piles, log stacks, and dense shrubs offer protection from predators and harsh weather.
Sun Basking Spots: Flat, sun-warmed stones are crucial for a lizard’s digestion and thermoregulation.
Avoid Pesticides: Chemicals can poison lizards directly or kill their insect food sources. Opt for natural pest control methods.

When Plant-Eating Lizards Become Pests

Sometimes, a love for plants can lead to conflict. In some regions, non-native iguanas have become invasive, causing significant damage to ornamental plants, vegetables, and even landscape trees. If you’re facing this issue, here are some humane strategies:

Use physical barriers like wire cages or mesh around vulnerable seedlings.
Apply taste deterrents (non-toxic, commercial options) on prized plants.
Modify the habitat to be less attractive by removing favored food plants (if possible).
Consult with local wildlife authorities for responsible and legal management advice.

Feeding Plants to Pet Lizards

If you keep a herbivorous or omnivorous pet lizard, their diet is your responsibility. A balanced, varied plant-based diet is critical for their health. Here’s a basic guide:

Safe and Nutritious Greens & Vegetables

Staples (Feed Daily): Collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, escarole, endive.
Good Occasional Mix-ins (2-3 times a week): Butternut squash, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, snap peas.
Fruits (Treats Only): Berries, mango, papaya, melon. Offer sparingly due to high sugar content.

Plants to Avoid for Pet Lizards

Some common plants are toxic to reptiles. Never feed these:

Avocado (all parts are highly toxic)
Rhubarb leaves
Onions and Garlic
Iceberg Lettuce (very low nutritional value, can cause diarrhea)
Plants from the nightshade family (like tomato leaves, eggplant leaves)

Steps to Prepare a Healthy Salad for Your Lizard

Select: Choose 2-3 staple greens and one occasional vegetable.
Wash: Thoroughly rinse all produce to remove pesticides or dirt.
Chop: Dice or shred the food into bite-sized pieces appropriate for your lizard’s mouth.
Mix: Combine the greens and veggies thoroughly to encourage eating all components.
Supplement: Lightly dust the salad with a calcium powder (and vitamin D3 if needed) as per your vet’s guidance.
Serve: Offer the fresh salad in a clean dish, typically in the morning.

The Bigger Picture: Lizards in the Ecosystem

Lizards, whether herbivorous, insectivorous, or omnivorous, play vital roles. Herbivorous lizards help with seed dispersal through their droppings. Insectivores keep pest populations in check. All lizards are prey for birds, snakes, and mammals, making them a crucial link in the food web. By understanding their diets, we can appreciate their role and make informed choices in our gardens and as pet owners.

FAQ: Herbivorous Reptile Diets

Do all lizards eat plants?

No, not all lizards eat plants. Many, like most geckos and skinks, are primarily insectivorous. Herbivory is common in specific groups like iguanas and agamids.

What is the difference between herbivorous and omnivorous lizards?

Herbivorous lizards eat primarily plants. Omnivorous lizards, like bearded dragons or some anoles, eat a combination of plants and animals (insects, small prey).

Can a lizard survive on only plants?

True herbivorous lizards, like the Green Iguana, are specially adapted to survive and thrive on a plant-only diet. An insectivorous lizard fed only plants would become malnourished and die.

How do I stop lizards from eating my garden plants?

Use physical barriers (mesh, cloches), plant lizard-deterring varieties with strong scents, and remove hiding spots near garden beds. Always choose humane methods.

What vegetables can I feed my iguana?

Focus on leafy greens like collard, mustard, and dandelion greens. Add occasional grated squash or bell peppers. Avoid spinach and kale in high amounts due to oxalates.

Do wild lizards drink water?

Yes, they do. They may drink from dew, rain droplets, or puddles. Providing a shallow water source in your garden can be a big help to them, especially in dry periods.