Question about calcium

[justnoskill]

I have a cuttlebone in my redfoot's enclosure that she loves to munch on. Should I still do a weekly sprinkling with a calcium and d3 supplement?

Thanks

 

[Madkins007]

The top priority is to offer adequate calcium in the diet. If the diet is iffy, we offer supplemental calcium.

Some experts believe that cuttlebone does not help much since only some of the bone is dissolved into the bloodstream, and much of it passes through. A little supplemental powder seems like safe insurance.

However, remember that calcium does not by itself. It needs some phosphorous, lots of water, the right levels of vitamin D and/or UVB light, iron, etc.

 

[tortoisenerd]

My opinion is yes you do supplement additional calcium, even if you see the tort eating the cuttlebone. The foods we feed tend to have lower calcium levels than what we think torts get in the wild. Better safe than sorry. The amount of calcium and D3 vs. no D3 varies by opinion. I'd say no D3...pure calcium...amount depending on torts age (daily for hatchling, every other day for the next couple years, then every few days for an adult, unless egg laying). I think it would be tough to give a tort so much calcium that it is detrimental (in the sprinklings we do on food, which isn't a lot, and much of that doesn't end up getting into the tort's mouth anyways), but others disagree, same with the D3 thing. I think the risk of supplementing D3 is greater than the benefit (assuming tort gets UVB/sun). So many opinions though, so I'd do some reading and see what you think. Lots of discussion on this already.

 

[justnoskill]

Thank you very much!