Calcium and vit D

[Joecakes]

hi guys! im new here. anyways i just bought a cham 1 month ago. his enclosure is a screenie positioned outside for full sunlight. when i bought him, the breeder told me to dust his crix with supplements every meal. (reptisun calcium with vit D).

so my question is, is it still necessary to dust supplements even if he is exposed to sunlight the whole day?

btw i live in the tropics so its sunny here the whole year long. Thanks!!

Joe

 

[kinyonga]

Since your chameleon is getting exposure to direct sunlight, its not necessary to use a supplement with D3. D3 from supplements can build up in the system.

Since many of the feeder insects have a poor ratio of calcium to phosphorous, its recommended that the insects be dusted at most feedings with a phos.-free calcium powder.

You can also dust a couple of times a month with a vitamin powder that has a beta carotene source of vitamin A. Beta carotene won't build up in the system like preformed will. There is controversy as to whether chameleons can convert the beta carotene though...so some people give a little preformed vitamin A once in a while.

Gutloading and feeding the insects a nutritious diet is important too.

 

[Joecakes]

aah i see... so calcium is the way to go. can i use a cuttlefish bone as his calcium source or no?

 

[ToniandGizmo]

aah i see... so calcium is the way to go. can i use a cuttlefish bone as his calcium source or no?

That's a very interesting question. I'd like to see how this one is answered.

 

[kinyonga]

It might be okay if you crush it to a powder with a mortar and pestle. I don't know how well it will be absorbed.