Being a ferret owner you might think- do ferrets eat lizards?
The answer to this question isn’t as straight as it seems. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means high-protein food like meat (both raw and cooked) is their prime source of food.
But, whether a ferret will eat lizards or not is dependent on the size of the lizards. It can be more precisely understood from the fact that ferret eats all the animals (prey) to which they can catch. So, yeah ferrets can eat lizards if it’s in small size.
Having said that there are other factors you must be aware of before letting your furry friend eat lizards.
Questions like- what type of lizard ferrets can eat? What risk is involved in eating lizards? What things you must be aware of before and after feeding lizards? In this blog post, you will full answers to these questions and many more. So stay tuned till the end.
Content List
Understanding ferret diet
Understanding the diet of ferrets is also very important, as they can eat small lizards.
Ferrets are extremely active and sensitive creatures but when it comes to their diet it is also very choosy. The nutritional classification of the ferret is below:
Nutritional classification
As discussed above ferrets an obligate carnivores animals which means they depend on rich protein food and low carbohydrates. However, occasionally you can feed homemade food to your ferret.
More than 70 to 80 percent of ferrets must contain protein, then 15-20 should be fat. Other than this you can feed once a while fruits like watermelon to your furry friend.
The high-protein food fulfills the nutritional requirements of the ferret which can’t be covered by any other stream of foods.
Natural Prey
Ferret gets mentally stimulated when they get their prey by a chain. In the wild, there are plenty of prey options for ferrets than in your house.
Prey like rodents, birds, small reptiles, and rabbits are some of the prey that ferrets catch and eat. Since ferrets are carnivore animals which makes them opportunistic hunting behavior, they will hunt for any of the above animals according to the situation.
This nature of ferrets makes it quite easy for them to get their natural foods. While ferret get their best food in the wild but keep remember to providing them with balanced and nutritious meals at home is essential
Do ferrets eat lizards?
Yes, ferrets can eat lizards when their size is small. Ferrets have sharp nails and teeth which help them a lot in catching prey and eating raw food like chicken, mutton, and more.
Whether it’s your house or wild ferret have the same nature of eating food and hunting prey.
Type of lizards ferrets might encounter
You know ferrets can eat lizards but, do you know they can also eat various kinds of lizards?
Yes, lizard species like small anoles and geckos are potential prey to the ferrets. Whenever there is a chance ferrets would even hesitate to catch and eat these lizard types.
But, there are other sides to ferret-eating lizards. Being a furry owner you must be aware of the size of the larger lizards like Tegus. Such big lizards are not right for your lovely pet.
Ferrets are natural hunters, so there is the possibility that they may go for catching these bigger-sized lizards. But, in such a situation undesirable things may happen like, the ferret’s mouth may get stuck in catching or reversal lizards may attack the ferret.
Both of the situations are not safe for the health and life of your ferret. So, always make sure what kind and size of lizards your ferret is going to eat.
Risks and considerations
Other than sizes and types of lizards there are other risks involved when ferret eats lizards. Health is the top risk involved and you must be aware of it.
Health risks
You don’t know the full health history of the lizards when feeding them to ferrets. This point can’t be ignored. A lizard may consist of parasites, infections, and other health issues. So, it would be much better if you make sure about the health of lizards from their source.
It’s very important to get health assurance before feeding ferrets or lizards. In case it may cost the life of your pet. So, you can’t be ignorant about it.
Also, if you notice that your ferret is lazy or not behaving normally after eating lizards, then contact your vet without any delay for better supervision
Do ferrets eat bearded lizards?
Yes, ferrets eat bearded lizards again when the size is small. As ferrets are predators and opportunistic animals they will not have second thoughts in eating small-sized bearded lizards.
So, there is a straight no that ferrets and bearded lizards can’t be kept together. Along with ferrets other animals like snakes, foxes, and birds also eat bearded lizards.
Do ferrets eat lizards in the wild?
Yes, ferrets eat lizards in the wild. The ferrets in the wild are dependent on catching their prey via hunting which makes them even more fluent in hunting.
So, in the wild catching lizards is like hunting on any regular day. In forest, other than lizards ferrets also hunt for small mammals like birds, fish, and insects.
What other reptiles might ferrets eat?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores and exhibit opportunistic hunting behaviors, which means they may eat a variety of prey, including reptiles. Here are some reptiles that ferrets might eat:
Potential Reptile Prey for Ferrets
- Small Lizards: Ferrets may hunt smaller lizards like geckos or anoles, which can be within their size range for hunting.
- Snakes: It’s not common but, small snakes could also be potential prey, depending on the size of the ferret and the snake.
- Amphibians: Although not reptiles, ferrets may also consume small amphibians like frogs or toads if they encounter them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do ferrets eat grass?
No, ferrets don’t grass.
What can ferrets eat as a treat?
Fruits like watermelon can be given as a treat.
Can ferrets drink milk?
No, ferrets can’t drink milk because they can’t digest it due to the absence of the enzyme.
Can ferrets eat any fruit?
No, they can’t eat any food.
Conclusion
Now, your question- do ferrets eat lizards? has been answered.
Ferret is an absolute carnivore animal which means they are majorly dependent on the high protein food. Other than this ferrets are also highly opportunistic creatures, so they will hunt and eat lizards.
But, there is one thing that doesn’t work in favor of ferrets. Undesirable, a ferret can’t eat larger-sized lizards. There is also health concern involved even when ferrets eat small-sized lizards.
These health issues are related to the illness of lizards which may affect the health and even the life of your furry ferret. So, keep remembering these points when feeding lizards to your pet.
Have a great ferreting time!