Extensionofgreen
Chameleon Enthusiast
While browsing the various threads and online information regarding supplementing montane species, I am always struck by the advocation a of once or twice monthly applications of D3 and Vitamin A, specifically.
I am not aware (my next course of research) whether or not it has been proven or disproven that chameleons utilize dietary vitamin D3. I would imagine they consume very little natural sources D3 in the wild, as it is not found in any quantity in inverebrate prey. This sort of ties into my thread about feeding vertebrates. Maybe we take for granted the consumption of vertebrate prey, such as small lizards, in the wild chameleon diet. Locating, breeding, and feeding lizards would not be a very convenient prospect and I won't be taking it up.
Vitamin A is certainly needed and also in consumed in only small amounts, being concentrated in the eyes of wild prey items.
The problem I have with the frequency proposed by these sources is that, if there is a need for supplemental D3, then the chameleons need it more often, while developing and growing, or while gravid. Their bones are laying down calcium all of the time, not just twice a month. If the argument that good UVB sources are enough, why offer dietary D3, at all? I think, especially for larger chameleons that 3-5 insects per week, lightly dusted with A and D3 makes more sense. It's a low dose, it's not a feast or famine routines, and since they are fat soluable, they should be getting just enough, without accumulation. I think that more mature animals and smaller species need less, perhaps one 1-3 smaller insects per week.
I am not coming at this with no knowledge. I bred melleri and I saw animals that suffered from the fear of Vitamin A supplementation that was rampant then. I also look outside the box and found that products not marketed for reptiles or chameleons make good sense to use, for example Dendrocare. It is vitamin and mineral supplement for dart frogs that I used with success with montane species. It is gentle, geared towards tiny frogs, is created to avoid toxicity of vitamin A and D3 in the frogs, so is very safe, when used in larger chameleons. The frogs are forest floor and understory dwellers, as are the montanes and therefore, they have similar low requirements for D3.
Repashy makes a LoD3 formula, which I would think is also suitable for more frequent, yet careful applications. I will be using both products, as well as some other supplements, with my parsonii. I like to use a selection of different reputable brands, to hopefully encompass a wider range of things they need, in forms they can utilize.
I realize that taking a lighter approach may be working for people and heavier approaches may be working for others, and there are few hard facts in the supplementation of chameleons and the different requirements of different chameleon species, so it serves to reason that the road to success may not be one road at all and when we find success, we can improve upon it, instead of breathing a sigh of relief and checking that aspect of care off the list. I'm not out to reinvent the wheel or tell people to alter their regimens, because I have an opinion, but I do think research is for finding facts/information and that the application of that information requires your own analysis and own interpretation, rather than following what everyone always says is best.
Since few chameleon species are regularly bred, most recommendations are drawn from Panthers and Veileds. The people that have experience with montanes and made recommendations shared their thoughts, experiences, and opinions, and others repeated it, recycled it, and regurgitated it. That doesn't mean it isn't sound advice, but it means that the sample of of information is small and too small, at this juncture to be taken as an absolute and made into a one way approach to chameleon husbandry. Err on the side of caution, have a light touch, use experienced keepers advice as stepping stones, but use your own approaches to create your own success and be willing to try new, reasonable approaches.
I am not aware (my next course of research) whether or not it has been proven or disproven that chameleons utilize dietary vitamin D3. I would imagine they consume very little natural sources D3 in the wild, as it is not found in any quantity in inverebrate prey. This sort of ties into my thread about feeding vertebrates. Maybe we take for granted the consumption of vertebrate prey, such as small lizards, in the wild chameleon diet. Locating, breeding, and feeding lizards would not be a very convenient prospect and I won't be taking it up.
Vitamin A is certainly needed and also in consumed in only small amounts, being concentrated in the eyes of wild prey items.
The problem I have with the frequency proposed by these sources is that, if there is a need for supplemental D3, then the chameleons need it more often, while developing and growing, or while gravid. Their bones are laying down calcium all of the time, not just twice a month. If the argument that good UVB sources are enough, why offer dietary D3, at all? I think, especially for larger chameleons that 3-5 insects per week, lightly dusted with A and D3 makes more sense. It's a low dose, it's not a feast or famine routines, and since they are fat soluable, they should be getting just enough, without accumulation. I think that more mature animals and smaller species need less, perhaps one 1-3 smaller insects per week.
I am not coming at this with no knowledge. I bred melleri and I saw animals that suffered from the fear of Vitamin A supplementation that was rampant then. I also look outside the box and found that products not marketed for reptiles or chameleons make good sense to use, for example Dendrocare. It is vitamin and mineral supplement for dart frogs that I used with success with montane species. It is gentle, geared towards tiny frogs, is created to avoid toxicity of vitamin A and D3 in the frogs, so is very safe, when used in larger chameleons. The frogs are forest floor and understory dwellers, as are the montanes and therefore, they have similar low requirements for D3.
Repashy makes a LoD3 formula, which I would think is also suitable for more frequent, yet careful applications. I will be using both products, as well as some other supplements, with my parsonii. I like to use a selection of different reputable brands, to hopefully encompass a wider range of things they need, in forms they can utilize.
I realize that taking a lighter approach may be working for people and heavier approaches may be working for others, and there are few hard facts in the supplementation of chameleons and the different requirements of different chameleon species, so it serves to reason that the road to success may not be one road at all and when we find success, we can improve upon it, instead of breathing a sigh of relief and checking that aspect of care off the list. I'm not out to reinvent the wheel or tell people to alter their regimens, because I have an opinion, but I do think research is for finding facts/information and that the application of that information requires your own analysis and own interpretation, rather than following what everyone always says is best.
Since few chameleon species are regularly bred, most recommendations are drawn from Panthers and Veileds. The people that have experience with montanes and made recommendations shared their thoughts, experiences, and opinions, and others repeated it, recycled it, and regurgitated it. That doesn't mean it isn't sound advice, but it means that the sample of of information is small and too small, at this juncture to be taken as an absolute and made into a one way approach to chameleon husbandry. Err on the side of caution, have a light touch, use experienced keepers advice as stepping stones, but use your own approaches to create your own success and be willing to try new, reasonable approaches.
