Is my supplementation schedule ok?
- Thread starter Seraphim
- Start date
Justin Carl
Avid Member
What species of chameleon?
How old is it?
Are you providing any UVB light?
How old is it?
Are you providing any UVB light?
Assuming that this is a panther chameleon (which I believe you mentioned in a previous post)...
Exposure to UVB either from direct sunlight or from exposure to a UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 which in turn allows it to use the calcium in its system. (The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic.)
Most of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous so dusting at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder helps to make up for this.
Twice a month, I dust with a vitamin powder that has a beta carotene source of vitamin A. Beta carotene will not build up in the system but preformed vitamin A will. Now, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene...so a little bit of preformed can be given once in a while. Excess preformed vitamin A can prevent the D3 from doing its job and lead to MBD...so don't overdo it.
D3 from supplements builds up in the chameleon's system and can cause problems. IMHO the chameleon should get most of its D3 as a result of exposure to UVB. The D3 from supplements should be kept to a minimum to prevent an overdose. I dust twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder...lightly.
In addition to supplementing...appropriate basking temperatures allow for good digestion and thus play a part in nutrient absorption.
Gutloading gets things into the insect that we want it to have and feeding the insects nutritious diets also helps.
Exposure to UVB either from direct sunlight or from exposure to a UVB light allows the chameleon to produce D3 which in turn allows it to use the calcium in its system. (The UVB should not pass through glass or plastic.)
Most of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous so dusting at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder helps to make up for this.
Twice a month, I dust with a vitamin powder that has a beta carotene source of vitamin A. Beta carotene will not build up in the system but preformed vitamin A will. Now, there is controversy as to whether all/any chameleons can convert the beta carotene...so a little bit of preformed can be given once in a while. Excess preformed vitamin A can prevent the D3 from doing its job and lead to MBD...so don't overdo it.
D3 from supplements builds up in the chameleon's system and can cause problems. IMHO the chameleon should get most of its D3 as a result of exposure to UVB. The D3 from supplements should be kept to a minimum to prevent an overdose. I dust twice a month with a phos.-free calcium/D3 powder...lightly.
In addition to supplementing...appropriate basking temperatures allow for good digestion and thus play a part in nutrient absorption.
Gutloading gets things into the insect that we want it to have and feeding the insects nutritious diets also helps.
Last edited:
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
twice a month is enough for the vitamin too (you're gutloading your insects, right?)
