Calcium and Phosphorus?

[maryanne27]

So I'm trying to get everything ready before I have my little guy (a graceful chameleon) sent to me in a couple weeks, and this whole gutloading thing is making my head spin - what to give, what not to give, certain vitamins now but not too much ... aahh!!
I read the one blog about the basic foods to give for wet and dry gutload, and I think I have it a little figured out...sort of. Plus I ordered Fluker's Orange Cube Cricket Diet to provide some vitamins and keep the crickets hydrated. Also, I read on some other threads here that I will need to dust the feeder bugs with calcium often and D3 a few times a month. One thing I am really wondering about is this powder I found - Fluker's Calcium and Phosphorus powder. Should I use this, or do chameleons not need phosphorus regularly?
If anyone has a good system, schedule, recipe, or tried and true products that works for gracefuls or similar chams to help make this a little easier, I would REALLY appreciate it! This being my first time, I am a little afraid of doing something wrong, and the last thing I want is a sick chameleon!

 

[Olimpia]

I know it seems like a lot of info, but it's not as hard as it seems at first.

#1. You do NOT want phosphorous in any of your supplements. This is because you want a ratio of phosphorous to calcium in the body that is about 1:2, but feeders like crickets have a ratio of 3:1, so way more phosphorous than calcium. Too much phosphorous and bones can become brittle, for example. So by dusting with phosphorous-free supplements we correct this ratio for the better.

#2. Gutloading can be challenging but there are several really great products out now that offer pretty complete diets. Something like Repashy Bugburger (food & moisture in one), Repashy Superload (dry gutload), Cricket Crack, or Dinofuel, as examples. Using one or two of these products will give your insects pretty much everything they need, except misture which you can provide with fresh fruits and veggies.

These links should answer everything in more detail -

A good resource to look over is here (provides ingredients to make your own gutload with): https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/food/

Graceful chameleon caresheet (includes a dusting schedule): https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/senegal/


If you're looking for brand recommendations, I'm partial to Repashy supplements. I use their plain calcium and their calcium + vitamin supplement. You can usually only find them online, however.

 

[camimom]

I know it seems like a lot of info, but it's not as hard as it seems at first.

#1. You do NOT want phosphorous in any of your supplements. This is because you want a ratio of phosphorous to calcium in the body that is about 1:2, but feeders like crickets have a ratio of 3:1, so way more phosphorous than calcium. Too much phosphorous and bones can become brittle, for example. So by dusting with phosphorous-free supplements we correct this ratio for the better.

#2. Gutloading can be challenging but there are several really great products out now that offer pretty complete diets. Something like Repashy Bugburger (food & moisture in one), Repashy Superload (dry gutload), Cricket Crack, or Dinofuel, as examples. Using one or two of these products will give your insects pretty much everything they need, except misture which you can provide with fresh fruits and veggies.

These links should answer everything in more detail -

A good resource to look over is here (provides ingredients to make your own gutload with): https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/food/

Graceful chameleon caresheet (includes a dusting schedule): https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/senegal/


If you're looking for brand recommendations, I'm partial to Repashy supplements. I use their plain calcium and their calcium + vitamin supplement. You can usually only find them online, however.

I second everything she said.

But, I did find repashy superload and the repashy all in one calcium plus in a petco.



Oh and the orange cubes, not worth it. they aren't very good for the bugs.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. I have a Graceful and his name is Tate. You can see him here. https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-babies-7-months-old-now-120634/

I'll be glad to help you with any questions. I pretty much keep him the same as I do my veiled except I keep his humidity higher. I'm attaching my blog for how I keep my veiled babies and you will get an idea on all that you need. I do not recommend anything by Fluker's. How old will your Graceful be when you get him?
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html

 

[maryanne27]

He will be 8 months old... I am actually ordering him from TerryLund from this forum! This information is all very helpful. Thanks so much, everyone!

 

[jannb]

He will be 8 months old... I am actually ordering him from TerryLund from this forum! This information is all very helpful. Thanks so much, everyone!

Then you will have Tate's brother. Terry has done an excellent job with these babies.

 

[maryanne27]

Oh how fun!! haha I'm getting Raptor... I'm glad to know he is coming from a good breeder!

 

[jannb]

Oh how fun!! haha I'm getting Raptor... I'm glad to know he is coming from a good breeder!

I just went and looked at Terry's album of the babies and Raptor is very handsome. . He looks like he might be a little bigger than Tate.

 

[maryanne27]

Can I just say, I am so freakin excited!!!! I can't wait to get my little guy... since you have his brother, JannB, exactly how little is Tate right now? I'm a bit bummed I won't get Raptor as a baby, but I can't wait, nonetheless!

 

[jannb]

Can I just say, I am so freakin excited!!!! I can't wait to get my little guy... since you have his brother, JannB, exactly how little is Tate right now? I'm a bit bummed I won't get Raptor as a baby, but I can't wait, nonetheless!

Tate is still the sweetest little boy. He's still small and just so friendly. Terry and her 3 daughter's must have messed with the babies all the time. He was very tame and use to people when he arrived.

 

[maryanne27]

Aw good! Hopefully Raptor will be just as tame and friendly.