Natively, it has been found that Argentine tegus eat a variety of foods, including fruits, insects, lizards, and birds. Currently, they are classified as omnivores, foraging for their meals in the form of both fauna and flora. Here are a couple research articles, consisting of a small study group, that discusses the findings of the tegu's diet in southeastern Brazil:
"Diet of a juvenile tegu lizard Tupinambis meriane (Teiidae) in southeastern Brazil"
Diet of Teius oculatus (Sauria, Teiidae) in southern Brazil (Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul)
Every tegu is different, and therefore their food preferences may be as well. Variation is key to a healthy diet, as well as proper supplementation and meal planning. Located below are lists of foods known to either be safe, or unsafe, for tegus and other reptiles.
*Every item that does not contain bones should be dusted with calcium (without D3)*
Calcium:Phosphorus explained by Mazuri
The presumed ideal calcium to phosphorous ratio is 2:1. There are many studies and explanations regarding calcium and phosphorus needs of reptiles; Google Scholar is an invaluable tool for those interested in researching reptile diet studies. When planning your tegu's meal, it is a good idea to check the Ca:P ratio in order to supplement, as needed. This website discusses MBD (metabolic bone disease - caused by vitamin imbalance), as well as other health problems associated with bearded dragons; all of the health disorders can also be applied to tegus, therefore pertinent information is present. Here are some helpful websites regarding Ca:P content:
Calcium-Phosphorus Ratio Chart
Calcium to Phosphorus Ratios in Food
Gale Encyclopedia of Food & Culture: Phosphorous and Calcium
Nutrient Composition of Whole Vertebrate Prey
Here is a good website explaining how to simply calculate the Ca:P ratio
How to work out Calcium to Phosphorus ratio - Reptile Diet
I, personally, do not feed live prey. I strongly believe that this *can* promote food aggression with those who do not interact with their animal on a very regular basis. I DO hand-feed, although I handle my tegu on a daily basis and have "taught" my tegu to associate my hand with comfort, not only food.
Fruits
apples - I personally do not like feeding chopped apples due to firmness and fear of impaction
bananas - fed in moderation due to high levels of potassium
cantaloupe
cherries
cranberries
figs
grapes (Thompson's seedless) - my tegu's favorite as a baby
honeydew
mango
papaya
prunes
pumpkin
starfruit
watermelon (avoid seeds)
Insects - gut load all insects
butterworms
crickets
dubia roaches
hornworms - ordered from Great Lakes Hornworm, or Mulberry Farms
locust
mealworms and superworms - in moderation due to chitin levels
pheonix worms
silkworms - ordered from Mulberry Farms or Coastal Silkworms
snails - do not feed snails from outdoors (unless it is a controlled area) due to pesticides and parasites
waxworms - high fat content, feed only as treat
Here is a website link discussing gut loading crickets, though it can be applied to most other feeders.
Vegetables
avoid vegetables that are mainly comprised of water, and lacking minerals ( celery, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, etc.)
artichoke hearts
asparagus
bell peppers
cactus
escarole
okra
parsley
squash: acorn, butternut, spaghetti, and yellow squash
zucchini
Whole Prey/Fish/Meats - all fed raw
african soft fur rats
duck
chicken
duck hearts - fed rather sparingly, or mixed with other foods
eggs - read a little here about the "cooked or raw egg" debate
feeder reptiles (frogs, lizards, etc)
gizzards, hearts, and liver
ground turkey - though my tegu does not like to eat it once it has been frozen and thawed (spoiled brat)
hake loins
lamb
mice
quail
rats
salmon as well as other types of fish
venison
Here are a few websites where raw foods and whole prey can be purchased:
Hare Today
Layne Laboratories, Inc.
Rodent Pro
Feed in moderation due to high content of oxalates
beets
blackberries
blueberries
broccoli
carrots
concord grapes
figs
green gooseberries
kiwi
leeks
lentils (cooked)
raspberries (black and red)
tomato
Feed in moderation due to high content of goitrogens
bok choy
broccoli
brussel sprouts
cabbage
cauliflower
collard greens
coriander
kale
kohlrabi
mustard greens
peaches
pears
rutabaga
spinach
strawberry
sweet potato
turnips
Known foods that are TOXIC to tegus, or should be avoided
be weary of foods in the "Nightshade" family
apple seeds
centipedes
chervil
corn - little nutrition (low in calcium, high in phosphorus)
fireflies
lamb's lettuce
milkweed-eating insects: specific butterflies and caterpillars
mushrooms
onions
pear seeds
ragwort
soy products
swiss chard - feed VERY sparingly, or not at all
tobacco
tomato leaves
tulip
vegetables high in nitrates (download pdf)
whisteria
Please visit Reptiles - Toxic Plants for a more thorough list of known toxic plants.
Foods I have tried with success
Fruits
seedless green grapes
blueberries
Insects
crickets
hornworms - ordered from Great Lakes Hornworm, or Mulberry Farms
silkworms - ordered from Mulberry Farms or Coastal Silkworms
Whole Prey/Fish/Meats
duck hearts - fed rather sparingly, or mixed with other foods
ground turkey - though my tegu does not like to eat it once it has been frozen and thawed (spoiled brat)
hake loins - previously frozen
mice
salmon
Supplements
Repashy Calcium Plus (contains D3 and given very sparingly)
Repashy SuperCal NoD (without D3) - can be purchased online, or at a local pet store or Petco
Rep-Cal Calcium without D3
Rep-Cal Herptivite Multivitamins
Mazuri Tortoise Diet (ground into fine powder and mixed with turkey) - also found online or Petco
lactose-free yogurt
And now with failure
balut
kale
kiwi
mealworms
silkworm pupae
Please periodically check back on my blog for information regarding breeding feeders.
Sources:
TeguTalk: Tegu Food List - credit given to user: Puffdragon
Foods Containing Goitrogens
Reptiles - Toxic Plants
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