Why do I dust crickets..

[Libby15]

If I have a bowl of the powder in there for him to eat?

Just wondering.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Because not ALL geckos will get all they need from a bowl of calcium. Dusting the feeders is just an extra assurance that they are getting at LEAST the amount on the feeders.

I would hate to not dust them, and the gecko to not use the calcium bowl, and to end up with a poor gecko with MBD.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Just Because

Libby15 -

You do it just because you do it. Well ... that is not the answer.:main_thumbsdown:


Leopard Geckos need calcium to keep and maintain strong bodies.

Hypocalcemia is a condition where a Lizard has low calcium levels in their body and if the condition is not treated then it can lead to Metabolic Bone Disease. Metabolic Bone Disease is a complication that can impact most commonly kept lizards. Leopard Geckos are somewhat more resistant to this condition/disease.

The lack of a calciumsupplement with appropriate levels of vitamin D3 is the most common cause.

The signs of MBD incluse lethargy, weakness, painful movement, a softened or "rubbery" jaw, and swollen or distorted limbs.


When it comes to Lizards and Leopard Geckos ... they have just not been pets long enough and there is a lot that we do not know about them.

In one of the books that I have that came out in 2005 is says "... leopard geckos are generally hardy and tolerate a wide range of supplementation regimens. This is fortunate because no methodical research has been published on the optimal supplementation formula for keeping and breeding most lizards, including leopard geckos."

We know that there are some researchers out there but, their work is a work in process. And we know that Leopard Geckos need calcium. We may not know how much but, we know that they need it. So we dust or food items to provide the Leopard Geckos with a certain amount of calcium (and of course vitamans).

We then provide a dish of calcium in case the Leopard Gecko wants and needs more.


There is also the issue of phosphorus. Insects have a certain amount of phosphorus and the calcium is used to make it so that there is a greater amount of calcium in the calcium/phosphorus ratio.

I am not certain why cause I have not read anything about this, nor have I asked anyone about this (Yet) and I do not work in this field.

I think it is because the phosphorus will do the opposite of the calcium but, I dunno.

Leopard Gecko Care Sheets provide very simple guidance on how to care for a Leopard Gecko.

Books can provide some additional guidance but, the information may or may not be up to date. But, at least it provides some information.

People with experience (Food Supplement Providers, Breeders, Owners and others), can provide more practical information. However, some people have some experience and others have more but, in the long run the information will be good.

So to keep it simple ... "You do it just because you do it."


there has not been any methodical research In realty there is not a lot known about Leopard Geckos when it come


While Hypocalcemia is

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Also

See the Repashy discussion in one of the other posts.

 

[Libby15]

I think the powder makes quite a mess, so if he has a dish, I'd rather just dump the crickets in. Guess not.

 

[Kellyr]

How do you dust them>? I just put some powder in the bag that the crickets come in and shake them up. After I pour out the crix the remaining powder is left at the bottom of the bag and I just throw it away. The only time I make a mess with the supplements are when I spill them Do you buy crickets from a pet store or have them shipped?

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

It was Why

It was Why do I dust crickets not How.

 

[nats]

I'm to lazy to read the posts, so if my remarks are lame its because
I am lame!! :main_rolleyes:
Anyway, if you are using Repashy Cal +, you should not put a extra
dish of cal dust in there.
Dusting your feeders with it is all you ever need to do.

So, helpfull comment, or just plain stooopid!?

 

[Bling_my_leo]

I always leave a dish of calcium D3, yes, calcium D3 in my leos cages. I also dust twice a week.

As stated above, you just need to dust your feeders to keep your leo's bones strong and healthy.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

Nats

That was a helpful comment.:main_thumbsup:

And you are not lame.

 

[Sturt]

I always leave a dish of calcium D3, yes, calcium D3 in my leos cages.

Calcium D3?

D3 is not a form of calcium, D3 is the name of the vitamin which is produced by breaking down calcium in the body. This vitamin is also known as Colecalciferol and is produced by sunlight acting on the skin. In geckos, the sunlight is not necessary as they can produce it without UVB.

"calcium D3" is normal calcium with a small amount of vitamin D3 added to it.

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

That is true, Sturt

D3 is the vitiman.


In the States, Calcium Plus D3 is a product that has Calcium plus D3. Most of the Calcium products sold all have D3.

You have to look for a Calcium product that does not have D3.