calcium w/D3 or not?

[labomb]

I have been reading some info on the leos and some care sheets say to use calcium with D3 and others say no D3. So which is it? How about lighting, do they need UVB being nocturnal?

[xiola]

they don'y require UV lighting, but they need the D3 to absorb the calcium into their body.

[DragnDrop]

As xiola said, they do need D3, without it they can't absorb calcium, no matter how much you give them. The easiest way to give it to them is via diet - supplementation or food naturally containing D3. UV-B light also stimulates the body to make D3 (long explanation, won't go into that here), but being nocturnal, they don't usually come out to bask in sunlight. You could use UVB light but it's not necessary if you supply the D3 with supplements or diet.

[Nuclear]

Ok, heres the thing, too much D3 is toxic, especially since leopard geckos are nocturnal. So dusting with d3 at every feeding would not be a good idea. I use pure calcium every feeding except one every wek. On this feeding I dust with a multivitamin with d3 in it. Once a week or once a month is all the d3 they need. Anu UVB is definately not needed. There are studies taking place that are actually proving adverse effects due to UV. Also you need a small dish of PURE calcium in the tank available at all times for them to lick.