D3 vs. Sun?
- Thread starter Cjd713
- Start date
Fearaffect
Avid Member
Mine are outside 24/7 I give d3 once a month......
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Still twice a month.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes, I would dust atleast a couple of crickets twice a month.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
okay, but can I just use something like herptivite every day, and that 2wce a month? and how often, every cricket? , sorry,lol, i sound like such a newbieI'm pretty experienced with reps though,
No, only use Herptivite once a month. Use plain calcium about everyday if you cham is young. Adults get plain calcium every other feeding.
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I use Herptivite twice a month, even though I gutload well. Herptivite uses Beta Carotene not pre-formed A so its safe to use as often as weekly, IMO.
I use plain RepCal calcium lightly on Every cricket (though it should be noted that I do not use crickets every day). Crickets have a poor phosphorous to calcium ratio. All crickets should be LIGHTLY dusted.
I use Calcium with D3 twice a month. How often You do so will depend on the brand of the supplement (as well as the age, type, gendre of chameleon, how much time in sun/under UVB lights, etc)
If your chameleon is spending considerable time outdoors, the need to supplement with D3 is reduced. But you should still give a little. Its hard to OD on vitamin D me thinks.
I use plain RepCal calcium lightly on Every cricket (though it should be noted that I do not use crickets every day). Crickets have a poor phosphorous to calcium ratio. All crickets should be LIGHTLY dusted.
I use Calcium with D3 twice a month. How often You do so will depend on the brand of the supplement (as well as the age, type, gendre of chameleon, how much time in sun/under UVB lights, etc)
If your chameleon is spending considerable time outdoors, the need to supplement with D3 is reduced. But you should still give a little. Its hard to OD on vitamin D me thinks.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
Do not use human supplements. I buy mine here and use the 1st, 3rd and
5th one.
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/vitamins-medicines-and-cage-cleaners/
Cjd713
New Member
it's on LLL's site
Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
I've seen this new calcium supplement advertised here and there called Calcite
or something for reptiles - basically it is just coral calcium.
Thing about calcium is the source. Most often, our perception of a supplement
is distorted because we disregard the properties as a WHOLE and just isolate
the one element we want.
For example - milk. Has a very low absorption rate and the methianine and cistine (amino acids) in milk actually
takes calcium OUT of your body, making you essentially deficient in calcium,
causing osteoperosis etc etc. You will find studies linking the developed nations
that drink milk to the highest rates of osteoperosis and bone density diseases.
Calcium needs magnesium to be absorbed properly. So calcium without magnesium is
essentially useless.
In contrast - calcium citrate has a much higher bioavailability than calcium carbonate.
That said, if you are using lots of insects that have a high phosphorous content,
calcium BINDS to phosphorous and the phosphorous is excreted while bound
to the calcium - that is to say that the calcium passes through.
In which case you should be using a bit more calcium more often, or a bit more
per feeding if you are using only crickets or any other insects with poor c: ph ratio.
Coral calcium is an ideal solution because it has a high bioavailability and also
has 73 other essential minerals (including magnesium) - which act in synergy with the calcium to
aid in absorption and utilization.
A HUGE misconception about bones is that they are made of only calcium,
but in fact they are made of many, many minerals - like coral.
So to answer your question, yes you can use human supplement coral calcium.
Check the d3 content though, you don't want to overdo it. I'm a big fan of
d3, but nothing beats the Sun.
If you are taking your cham outside in the sun 2-3 times a week, there is no
need for d3 at all. Though durations of sun exposure should reach at least an
hour provided temperatures are ideal and a gradient is given for thermoregulation.
There's a lot involved with being precise, but basically it depends on the
KIND of calcium and the type of feeders you are using. Do some research
on the behavior and properties of calcium and you'll be able to figure it out.
or something for reptiles - basically it is just coral calcium.
Thing about calcium is the source. Most often, our perception of a supplement
is distorted because we disregard the properties as a WHOLE and just isolate
the one element we want.
For example - milk. Has a very low absorption rate and the methianine and cistine (amino acids) in milk actually
takes calcium OUT of your body, making you essentially deficient in calcium,
causing osteoperosis etc etc. You will find studies linking the developed nations
that drink milk to the highest rates of osteoperosis and bone density diseases.
Calcium needs magnesium to be absorbed properly. So calcium without magnesium is
essentially useless.
In contrast - calcium citrate has a much higher bioavailability than calcium carbonate.
That said, if you are using lots of insects that have a high phosphorous content,
calcium BINDS to phosphorous and the phosphorous is excreted while bound
to the calcium - that is to say that the calcium passes through.
In which case you should be using a bit more calcium more often, or a bit more
per feeding if you are using only crickets or any other insects with poor c: ph ratio.
Coral calcium is an ideal solution because it has a high bioavailability and also
has 73 other essential minerals (including magnesium) - which act in synergy with the calcium to
aid in absorption and utilization.
A HUGE misconception about bones is that they are made of only calcium,
but in fact they are made of many, many minerals - like coral.
So to answer your question, yes you can use human supplement coral calcium.
Check the d3 content though, you don't want to overdo it. I'm a big fan of
d3, but nothing beats the Sun.
If you are taking your cham outside in the sun 2-3 times a week, there is no
need for d3 at all. Though durations of sun exposure should reach at least an
hour provided temperatures are ideal and a gradient is given for thermoregulation.
There's a lot involved with being precise, but basically it depends on the
KIND of calcium and the type of feeders you are using. Do some research
on the behavior and properties of calcium and you'll be able to figure it out.
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