can calcium supplements replace UV?

[Pole]

what does everyone think of this? Some tell me chameleons can live without a UV light if they are getting a calcium D3/ calcium supplement and feeding calcium rich foods, but others tell me its silly. I personally believe they DO need a UV light, what do you guys think?

 

[camimom]

Unless your cham lives outside year young, you need both d3 and a uvb light.
and of course a basking light.

 

[FlChamMom]

You are right, they do need UVB. It is all a circle, the UVB helps process the D3 which helps process the calcium. Also, in the wild they would get UVB from the sun and in the cage we are trying to replicate their natural environment. The UVB does not provide heat so you would also need an incandescent bulb for basking.

 

[Pole]

You are right, they do need UVB. It is all a circle, the UVB helps process the D3 which helps process the calcium. Also, in the wild they would get UVB from the sun and in the cage we are trying to replicate their natural environment. The UVB does not provide heat so you would also need an incandescent bulb for basking.

yup, knew that. just seeing what others think of this subject, as those who don't use them seem to have healthy chameleons, eating properly, living a long life, and look flawless, which I find interesting.

 

[FlChamMom]

I have read articles that suggest that chameleons self-regulate basking under UVB lights in proportion to the amount of D3 given. In lower amounts the chameleons in the study had increased basking times whereas those given higher amounts naturally decreased basking times. That said, that was in a controlled laboratory environment and the study did not remove UVB entirely. Interesting thought, but I would wonder if they would go though a sort of "seasonal affected disorder" without some form of replicated sunlight as opposed to strictly florescent/incandescent lighting.

 

[pigglett79]

I will post an article for you that studied this very thing once I get to my computer. It showed that UVB light alone does produce metabolic levels of D3 metabolites, but when raised on supplements and no UVB they did not achieve metabolic levels of D3 metabolites even when given high doses. They became I'll and many died.

 

[pigglett79]

Here is the article I was thinking about. there are a few out there, I can email it to you if you are not able to get it.

Hoby, S., Wenker, C., Robert, N., Jerrmann, T., Hartnack, S., Segner, H., . . . Liesegang, A. (2010). Nutritional metabolic bone disease in juvenile veiled chameleons (chamaeleo calyptratus) and its Prevention1-3. The Journal of Nutrition, 140(11), 1923-31. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/762213439?accountid=7122

Its pretty interesting.