To much calcium?

[SSSSnakes]

Can you give a reptile to much calcium? I know if given to much, they will poop it out. But with D3 can they absorb to much and end up with hypercalcemia. Am I correct to understand that the UVB rays create the natural D3 in the reptile's system and allows the reptile to absorb the correct amount of calcium, but when given calcium with D3 they can absorb to much?

[formica]

yes it is possible for a reptile (or any animal) to overdose on D3 (or any vitamin) via suppliments, but following the guidelines for the species will usually prevent this happening.

UVB synthesis of D3 is controlled by negative feedback in the body, so that overdose cannot occur

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by formica

yes it is possible for a reptile (or any animal) to overdose on D3 (or any vitamin) via suppliments, but following the guidelines for the species will usually prevent this happening.

UVB synthesis of D3 is controlled by negative feedback in the body, so that overdose cannot occur

So it would be better to use a calcium with out D3?

[formica]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

So it would be better to use a calcium with out D3?

depends, for diurnal species, as long as the right level of UV is provided, they can synthesize their own D3

For nocturnal species, UV Lighting may be detrimental to animals which do not require, or have not evolved to handle, UV exposure, aswell as potentially disrupting their day/night cycle, causing stress and illness

Either way, D3 should not be added to their diet every day, 1 or 2 days a week is enough, simple calcium the rest of the week

[SSSSnakes]

Originally Posted by formica

depends, for diurnal species, as long as the right level of UV is provided, they can synthesize their own D3

For nocturnal species, UV Lighting may be detrimental to animals which do not require, or have not evolved to handle, UV exposure, aswell as potentially disrupting their day/night cycle, causing stress and illness

Either way, D3 should not be added to their diet every day, 1 or 2 days a week is enough, simple calcium the rest of the week

So do nocturnal reptiles require D3? How does their body naturally regulate calcium absorption? I mean they do not get extra D3 or calcium in the wild.

[formica]

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

So do nocturnal reptiles require D3? How does their body naturally regulate calcium absorption? I mean they do not get extra D3 or calcium in the wild.

generally capitve insectivorous and herbivorous nocturnal reptiles do need D3 suppliments yes. In the wild they would get it from their food, from a wide range of diffrent kinds of food, but captive reptiles have a very restrictive diet in comparison, and the feeder insects they eat also have a restricted diet, so it must be supplimented

quite allot of lizards/geckos do eat calcium directly from their environment, along with many other minerals and salts, licked/eaten directly from the ground/stones/sands etc.

one of the reasons why some reptiles become impacted, is when they do not have enough calcium or D3 in their diet, they may eat significant quantities of sand/substrate, espcially calci-sand, or anything else they ''think'' may contain calcium (if they can taste the calcium) and it can cause big problems including impaction and prolapse