What do I feed a basilisk?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

When it comes to feeding a basilisk, it’s important to provide them with a varied and nutritious diet. In the wild, basilisks are known to eat a range of insects, small invertebrates, and vegetation. As a responsible owner, it’s crucial to replicate this natural diet as closely as possible to ensure your basilisk’s health and well-being.

One of the main food sources for a basilisk is insects, such as crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts. These insects are not only readily available but also provide important nutrients for your basilisk. When feeding your basilisk insects, it’s essential to ensure they are fresh and healthy. You can do this by providing them with a suitable habitat and feeding them a nutritious diet.

To keep your crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts fresh, it’s important to provide them with fresh vegetation and insect food. This will not only help keep them alive but also ensure they are packed with nutrients for your basilisk. Some common options for insect food include fresh vegetables like carrots, leafy greens, and fruits. By regularly providing your insects with highly nutritious food, you can transfer those nutrients to your basilisk when they feed on the insects.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the nutritional value of the vegetation you offer your basilisk directly. Basilisks are known to consume a range of plant matter in the wild, including leaves, flowers, and even fruits. Providing a variety of fresh vegetables and greens, such as kale, collard greens, and dandelion greens, can be beneficial for your basilisk’s overall health. Be sure to thoroughly wash the vegetation before offering it to your lizard to remove any pesticides or chemicals.

It’s worth noting that basilisks also require a good source of calcium and vitamin D3 for proper bone development. Dusting the insects with a reptile calcium supplement or providing a calcium-rich food source, like calcium-dusted mealworms, can help ensure your basilisk receives these essential nutrients.

Feeding a basilisk involves providing a varied diet of insects, fresh vegetation, and calcium supplements. By offering a range of nutritious foods, you can replicate their natural diet and promote their overall health and well-being. Remember to keep the insects and vegetation fresh, and consider adding calcium supplements to ensure your basilisk receives all the necessary nutrients.