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Post by dominick on Apr 20, 2004 12:24:36 GMT -8
Hi Folks-
I came across an interesting question concerning the feeding of unripened (or green) bananas to an Iguana.
Is it OK? Can it hurt them? Hmmmmm.
Well, turns out that someone did a little web-digging and discovered that unripe bananas have more complex carbohydrates than ripe ones (the carbs get broken down into simple sugars as it ripens) and that they can be difficult to digest.
We all know that Bananas are an occasional food, and should be fed sparingly. They are also high in the P: Ca ratio, which is the same as being low in the Ca: P ratio.
So, Riper Is Better, But Only On Occasion! RIBBOOO- The Banana Rule-of-Thumb!
Just some food for thought.
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Post by Merlin on Apr 20, 2004 14:04:48 GMT -8
And people think we are obsessed with iguanas! ;D
My basic rule of thumb,...If I wouldn't eat it, Zok don't eat it!
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Post by rocmills on Apr 24, 2004 15:26:10 GMT -8
So, Riper Is Better, But Only On Occasion! RIBBOOO- The Banana Rule-of-Thumb! By "occasion" I don't suppose you mean everyday, huh? Our igs are gonna go on strike. Bananas are their favorite food (next to anything green). It's also how we get them to take their pills - just stick it inside a bite of banana and it's down the hatch! Seriously, we put one whole banana, sliced, into their bowl every day. Are you saying this is a bad thing? Is there something else we can put in their diet to offset the bad ratio? I'd hate to cut them off from their favorite treat. --Roc |
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Post by Tesa on Apr 24, 2004 18:25:40 GMT -8
Roc, Not only are bananas crappy in the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio, but they are also low in iron and protein. Another potential problem is the high potassium level. Yeah, that seems weird since that's one of the reasons they are so good for people. ;D Here's a link to the explanation as to why Potassium can be harmful. tesa.proboards24.com/index.cgi?board=diet&action=display&thread=1066652394Here's a link to IZ's food information chart. You can compare the nutritional values of some fruits here and find a good replacement. This isn't to say they should NEVER have bananas, just that they should be used sparingly. webpages.charter.net/tesa64735/Revised2.htmLet me know if I can help more..  |
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Post by rocmills on Apr 24, 2004 18:37:27 GMT -8
Tesa:
As a matter of fact, I just printed out your wonderfully color-coded chart a short while ago (more for my husband than myself, but it never hurts to have a refresher course). Still, it is really gonna break their hearts if I cut them off from their nanners.
Can the excess potassium be countered by extra something else?
--Roc
(edited to add question)
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Post by Tesa on Apr 24, 2004 19:01:23 GMT -8
Not that I'm aware of. Everything I read while doing the research suggested that we modify the diet so that the Potassium intake is lowered. (and I read ALOT) lol Nowhere did I find anything describing how it could be offset.  |
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Post by rocmills on Apr 24, 2004 19:07:43 GMT -8
Well, Piss (you should pardon my language).
On behalf of Bailey and Mary may I just say "That's not fair!"
Sigh.
--Roc
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Post by Tesa on Apr 24, 2004 19:24:29 GMT -8
well...they are YOUR igs! feed em what ya want to! lol ;D
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Post by dominick on Apr 24, 2004 20:32:42 GMT -8
That's interesting Rox- If I painted it green and covered it in dandelions, Rex wouldn't touch a banana! I believe it's best to at least cut back to every other day at first, then every third day and keep it there. They may be upset about it, but not nearly as upset as when they develop some internal problem from the high potassium. Try your best to modify the diet to at least bring them off of the everyday feeding of bananas.  |
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Post by SurvivorSteph on Apr 25, 2004 14:03:14 GMT -8
I give Gil a banana about once a month; they're black on the outside when I feed them. He doesn't want them if I offer them more often.
BTW, too much potassium is bad for people too... it can interfere with the heart's electrical impulses.
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