Question 1

What is a good calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for reptile food?

Accepted Answer

A 2:1 ratio (twice as much calcium as phosphorus) is the gold standard for reptile food. Ratios between 1.5:1 and 2:1 are considered good. Ratios at or near 1:1 are acceptable as occasional foods but shouldn't dominate the diet. Anything below 1:1 (inverted ratio) actively pulls calcium from the reptile's bones during digestion and contributes to metabolic bone disease over time. This matters most for herbivores and omnivores like bearded dragons, iguanas, and tortoises that get most of their calcium from food rather than supplementation.

Question 2

Which foods are toxic to reptiles?

Accepted Answer

Several foods are toxic to most or all reptiles and should never be offered: avocado (fatal — contains persin), rhubarb leaves (high oxalates), onion and garlic (cause hemolytic anemia), citrus fruits (gut irritants for most species), and iceberg lettuce (no nutritional value plus causes diarrhea). Some foods are species-specific hazards — for example, spinach and Swiss chard bind calcium in herbivores, while fatty insects like waxworms can cause hepatic lipidosis in lean species like leopard geckos. Filter by 'Avoid List' to see the full toxic foods catalog with species-specific notes.

Question 3

What does 'staple' versus 'rotation' versus 'occasional' mean?

Accepted Answer

These usage categories describe how often a food should appear in your reptile's diet. Staples are foods safe to feed daily as the primary diet — they have favorable nutritional profiles and minimal risk factors. Rotation foods are healthy variety items you cycle through weekly to ensure micronutrient diversity. Occasional foods are nutritionally acceptable but have minor concerns (moderate oxalates, slight imbalances) that make them poor choices for frequent feeding. Treats are foods to offer rarely — usually fruits with high sugar content. Avoid means do not feed.

Question 4

How do you read the toxicity ratings?

Accepted Answer

Toxicity is rated on a five-point scale. 'Safe' (shown as green) means the food poses no toxic risk when fed appropriately. 'Mild' indicates minor digestive upset is possible in large quantities. 'Moderate' means meaningful risk if fed regularly — typically high oxalate or goitrogen content that interferes with nutrient absorption. 'High' indicates the food can cause serious illness and shouldn't be offered. 'Fatal' means the food has caused documented reptile deaths and must never be fed under any circumstances.

Question 5

Why are oxalates and goitrogens listed for some foods?

Accepted Answer

Oxalates are compounds in plants like spinach, beet greens, and Swiss chard that bind to calcium during digestion, preventing your reptile from absorbing it. High-oxalate foods aren't acutely toxic but contribute to metabolic bone disease over time. Goitrogens, found in foods like kale, cabbage, and bok choy, interfere with thyroid function in large quantities. Both are worth tracking for herbivores and omnivores fed plant-heavy diets. Small amounts in rotation are fine; daily large servings of high-oxalate or high-goitrogen foods are not.

Question 6

Can I feed my reptile foods from this database in any combination?

Accepted Answer

No. The database lists which foods are generally safe but doesn't account for species-specific needs. A leopard gecko fed lettuce and broccoli (both 'safe' here) would starve because it can't digest plants. A green iguana fed insects (also 'safe' here) would suffer organ damage from the protein load. Use the Diet Generator to build species-appropriate plans, or check each species profile for diet composition guidance. The database is a reference for individual food properties; the diet plan is what actually feeds your reptile.

Question 7

How often is this data updated?

Accepted Answer

New foods are added monthly and existing entries are reviewed annually or whenever new research changes the recommended guidance. When a food's status changes — for instance, when newer research changed the recommendation for spinach from 'occasional' to 'rotation' for calcium-rich species — the entry notes the change and dates it. Last reviewed dates appear on individual food detail pages.

Food Database

Curated food lists

Foods Toxic to Reptiles

High Calcium Foods for Reptiles

Leafy Greens for Reptiles

Fruits Safe for Reptiles

Staple Foods for Reptiles

Feeder Insects for Reptiles

About the Reptile Food Database

Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms