Nathan, I supplement almost every feeding, over half of the crickets are eaten right away. I also give calcium mixed with water and a small amount of Miner-All I with a dropper through the breeding season.
I do think that powdered supplements work, having raised juveniles to adult and subadult without UV. Some experienced breeders have told me that they do not use UV, even with diurnal species. That being said, if you're using good UVB lights and little or no D3, that should work too. There was an article in Reptiles a couple of years back on U. henkeli breeding. The author used snails for calcium and UVB blacklights for D3. Neil >Neil, > >You said that since the crickets rub off much of the D3, you were not really >worried about oversupplementation. You never mentioned how often you >actually dust the crickets. I'm afraid that supplementing with this >"vitamin" can become a little tricky. I'll be the first to tell you that I >have no idea how much D3 my geckos need, but I know that it is important in >the regulation of calcium in the blood. I know that humans only need >minimal exposure, 5 minutes on face and hands a day, in order to get enough >D3 to produce calcitriol, but I have absolutely no idea with geckos, >nocturnal or diurnal. I wonder if it is the same with reptiles. On another >forum, a gentleman mentioned that the powdered form was not readily absorbed >by reptiles, but I wonder what happens to it. Does it simply pass through >their bodies unchanged? I guess that's possible, but don't go tell him that >I said that! I guess you are wondering if I actually have a point >here....Umm....Well, I believe that UV lights placed above an enclosure will >give geckos enough light for D3 synthesis. Am I right? I have no earthly >idea. If anyone can prove to me that supplementation of D3 via powder or >liquid is necessary in a captive environment, I"ll definitely do what's best >for the lizards. Like all of you, this is a lifelong passion and I will do >my best to give my geckos the proper care that they deserve. > >Nathan S. Hall >GECKOS UNLIMITED >www.geckosunlimited.com >[EMAIL PROTECTED] >----- Original Message ----- >From: Neil A. Meister <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 7:45 AM >Subject: Re: [Gecko] Uroplatus and Vit D3 > > >> Hi Robert, >> >> I have chosen a middle of the road approach >> as I haven't heard of anything convincing regarding >> the pros and cons of D3 and Uroplatus. Uroplatus often >> sleep exposed to sunlight, so the matter of them being >> nocturnal is not a valid argument for not offering UVB >> and/or D3 supplements. I use Miner-All I for most >> feedings and weak lights (vitalites) directly on top of >> the enclosures. Other bulbs are likely better, but are >> not available at a reasonable price here. >> >> Crickets often rub off some of their supplements, so >> I don't worry too much about overdosing on D3. Of major >> importance with this group is adequate calcium for >> breeding females. Dusting food alone does not do it in the >> long run. >> >> I have maintained U. henkeli for 6 years using a combination >> of vitalites and supplements. I have also raised many hatchlings >> using only supplements. >> >> Neil >> >> >What is everyone's opinion on Uroplatus and Vit. D3 >> >supplementing? Is a UV bulb enough? How often should >> >D3 be given if in the powder form? What does the term >> >"hard bones" mean in this case? >> > >> >Robert >> > >> >__________________________________________________ >> >Do You Yahoo!? >> >Check out Yahoo! Shopping and Yahoo! Auctions for all of >> >your unique holiday gifts! Buy at http://shopping.yahoo.com >> >or bid at http://auctions.yahoo.com >> > >> >>########################################################################### >> > THE GLOBAL GECKO ASSOCIATION LISTSERV >> > WebSite: www.gekkota.com Archive: >[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ >> > The GGA takes no responsibility for the contents of these postings. > > >>########################################################################### >> >> >> -- >> Neil Meister >> >> Promotions Secretary >> Global Gecko Association >> http://www.gekkota.com >> >> President >> Nova Scotia Herpetoculture Society >> -- Neil Meister Promotions Secretary Global Gecko Association http://www.gekkota.com President Nova Scotia Herpetoculture Society
