Best Greens To Buy For Skink?

[xXxBORISxXx]

Hey guys!
I recently learned that kale and spinach, when fed to skinks too often, cause the build up of a chemical that can block the absorption of vitamin D3. Yikes!
I've been feeding fresh mixed greens to my skink which often include Kale & Spinach. Now I'm looking for alternatives. What greens do you guys feed to your skinks? Is arugula my best bet now?

[mb606587]

Arugula is good. Mustard greens, bok choy, spring mix, dandelion greens, even basil. Experiment until you find something your skink will readily eat. All of mine go crazy for sweet potato and green beans as well.

[Janella]

I agree to what was already stated and mine also love dandelion, collard, and turnip greens. I alternate between which greens I feed, so my skinks always get something different.

[kingofnobbys]

This is as good a guide as any : http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

I do buk or puk choi greens (shredded greens ONLY , I give the white stems to the superworms) , raw peas & green beans (chopped) , grated raw carrot and grated raw sweet potato, and in season I add dandelion (leaf and flowers and green seed pods) , nasturtion leaf and flowers, clover flowers and leaf , thistle flowers .

I've also added shredded mulberry leaves but my skinks and dragons aren't keen on the taste unless it's prechewed in silkworms (which they get nearly every day - I farm my own silkworms).

[splashy07]

Mine love peas and carrots.

[xXxBORISxXx]

Thanks guys!
I always have trouble finding a few of those greens mentioned such as mustard greens, collard greens. Maybe because I live in Canada? Where do you guys buy those? I normally look at Safeway, Walmart, maybe I'm just missing them.
Thanks again for the replies )

[mb606587]

I go to Produce Junction. That may be a local chain around me but look for a market that sells fresh organic vegetables and fruits. Usually they have a much better selection than your typical supermarket.

[Susann]

We have a blue tongue skink diet chart right here, formulated especially for the omnivorous diet a BTS needs. Has ALL kinds of data and recommendations in it specifically aimed at BTS needs. PLEASE use it and not a chart formulated for herbivores, like bearded dragons.

[mb606587]

I know this is a BTS forum but Bearded Dragons are definitely not herbivores. But thank you for providing the chart. Is very informative.

[Susann]

What are beardies considered?
Omnivores I guess, I just haven't seen one with anything on their plate but greens and bugs, but the bugs make them omnivores I guess...?

[mb606587]

Beardies are also omnivores. As juveniles their staple diet should be dubia roaches and various worms. It's only as they reach adulthood that they should be offered more greens but they are voracious hunters and will eat whatever they can including mice and other lizards, including each other. Interestingly, they cannot be fed dog and cat food like our BTS. I'd assume bc they are much more effective hunters so require live prey and aren't as opportunistic as BTS.

[Susann]

Well, thank you for that, Mr mb606587! Good to know.

[splashy07]

I still culture all my own insects from the days when I used to breed beardies. When it's baby time the skinks love them as well, but I find not as much when adults. The exceptions are a few of my Easterns, who are just pigs anyway and would eat anything constantly if you let them. Typical omnivore behavior for the babies though, requiring more protein as juveniles. My skinks like the pellets formulated for bearded dragons too. Mix them with some over ripe banana and they'll knock you over for it.