BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I've never given my BTS calcium powder (because I had trouble getting him to eat and thought that the new supstance would cause him to not eat.) So I was wondering how often I should give him this powder. It has calcium and other minerals and nutrients in it.

by substance, do you mean texture?

do any of the pet stores near you have this new calcium supplement from exo terra? you put some into your skinks water, and its totally scentless, your skink wont notice it at all! if not try giving him some snails. the shell doubles as a jaw exsercize and calcium

I was told that, for every second meal, you sprinkle some calcium powder over the food.

There is also another way of giving your bluey calium, and that is snails.
Gives your skink calcium and nutrients.

f.C

But if you feed a good varietal diet that contains calcium, you shouldn't need to add in processed additives.

Zach wrote:But if you feed a good varietal diet that contains calcium, you shouldn't need to add in processed additives.

As said, if you feed good greens that should be the answer, I've used it on fruit only meals and to dust on superworms, go carefull with added D3 if you use a UV bulb, not good if over done

I have a UVB bulb doesn't that provide calcium somehow?

bmxstreet21 wrote:I have a UVB bulb doesn't that provide calcium somehow?

UVB ---> vitamin D3 synthesis ---> calcium absorption

http://www.uvguide.co.uk/vitdpathway.htm

For the most part, calcium powders are simply a waste of money if a good diet is fed. It's more pet store crap to make money from unwitting pet owners.

KW

KyleWeiss wrote:For the most part, calcium powders are simply a waste of money if a good diet is fed. It's more pet store crap to make money from unwitting pet owners.

KW

Hehe, that's a pretty good way of putting it.

I use Rep Cal its good value,used often for young blueys,pygmey monitors and bearded dragons,fair dinkum i cant remember when i bought it but believe me it was a long time ago.

I also supplement with Repcal calcium w/ d3, as recommended in Andrew's care sheet for the growing baby. I won't do it when he is older and his diet contains less protein and more veggies.

There's probably a responsible use for supplement powders, but unless the animal is having medical problems, or is young (Andrew likes to give them a good start, for example...) they're really useless.

It seems some people rely on them as if they are necessary, and sometimes overdo them and cause harm thinking more is better. It's just one of those products I wish weren't as readily available because of what happens in the wrong hands.

KW

I have also used them with picky eaters, who I know isn't getting a balanced diet.

I used to crush egg shells into a powder, which I added to the food - now I use Nekton-MSA. In Finland, supplements that contain calcium, minerals and vitamins such as D3 are highly recommended.

skinkee wrote:I used to crush egg shells into a powder, which I added to the food - now I use Nekton-MSA. In Finland, supplements that contain calcium, minerals and vitamins such as D3 are highly recommended.

It depends on how you feel about it, I personally supplement occasionaly (once every other week or so) with some mineral powder I figure it won't hurt and might help.

Yep, and the reptiles here don't get as much sunlight as in Australia or some parts of the US so that is why D3, calcium and UV-lighting in the tank are a good way to go - and the excess calcium (probably also at least some vitamins/minerals) gets out from under the tail

skinkee wrote:Yep, and the reptiles here don't get as much sunlight as in Australia or some parts of the US so that is why D3, calcium and UV-lighting in the tank are a good way to go - and the excess calcium (probably also at least some vitamins/minerals) gets out from under the tail

But why put in all those additives when some of your average grocery store foods will provide the calcium?

I agree with Kyle that it's like an evil pet store or "reptile rumor" that's been ingrained in everyone that YOU MUST SUPPLEMENT. You know why I think? Because those same people advise a diet of crickets and meal worms!

Zach wrote: You know why I think? Because those same people advise a diet of crickets and meal worms!

This is my conclusion, as well. In fact, I only supplement my herps that eat strictly bugs... Tokays, FBTs, Leopard... and my breeding/laying females. Otherwise, I gutload the heck out of bugs and feed high calcium content fruits and vegetables. I've never had a problem.

I agree the "they live on crickets "info is as out dated as dinosaurs, new research and availability of better food sources haven't been taken into consideration. Trouble is almost anyone can breed/sell herps and most websites cut and paste a load of :bs: , ignorance breeds ignorance unfortunately