Supplementation schedules

Many hobbyists vitamin/ mineral supplement the insects they feed at every feeding, but it is possible to give too much supplementation. The result can be mineralization of subcutaneous and visceral organs, usually as a result of calcium deposits. This type of metastatic calcification can result in premature death. Anotherproblemcaused by oversupplementation is vitamin A and/or vitamin D3 toxicity.

We do not yet have clear guidelines as to the actual vitamin/ mineral requirements of most lizard species. As a rule (until better information comes along), the diet of juveniles (beca use of their rapid growth rate) should be supplemented more often than that of adults. Most herpetoculturists vitamin/ mineral supplement the diet of juveniles every 1 to 2 feedings. Once the animal is mature and its growth rate has slowed down, supplementation is usually cut down to every third or fourth feeding. in order to reduce the probability of metastatic calcification. Another choice is to supplementthe insects fed to adult lizards with a vitamin/mineral powder in one feeding per week, and with calcium carbonate in a different feeding each week. When breeding lizards, herpetoculturists usually increase the schedule of calcium/vitamin D3 supplementation or calcium carbonate for females, thus making sure that enough calcium is available for the formation of adequately calcified egg shells. During the breeding season, gecko breeders usually dust insects with calcium carbonate or a calcium/vitamin D3 supplement at every feeding.