Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,
Just wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice.
I recently bought my first Diamond Python. I know there are a lot of practices / theories on how to prolong a Diamond Pythons lifespan i.e.; full spectrum light, lower temperatures and night time lows. The one theory I haven’t been able to look into is dietary supplements - vitamins and (I’m sure I read it somewhere) calcium. It makes sense to me that some reptiles may have trouble in captivity because we can’t offer them the same range of diet they would have in the wild, whereas others will thrive on mice and rats without supplements. My biggest fear is that if I start using a particular brand the snake will get attached to any sent the product may have. Then If I want to change supplements or the product is no longer available the snake might refuse to feed. I am just curious to see what other Diamond keepers use if anything at all, or what experiences people have had with dietary supplements.

Thanks for any help.
Chris.

Diamonds need calcium suppliment and UV lighting IMO because they will have growth problems and will develop soft spots on their bodies, and their bones will get very weak without both...

I realize that Diamonds need supplements. I am more interested in other people’s experiences and practices. What do you use for a calcium supplement? Is the product readily available, how easy is it to use? What problems have you had using supplements?

n/p

I am not an expert by any means and still have alot to learn about my favourite python, but I have yet to use supplements. The only supplement I use is sunlight. At least half an hour or more a week and plenty of exercise. I personally do not think they need anything else. Even if it was 60 degrees out and sunny, they can heat up and get uv. This means pretty much anywhere in north america you have about a six month "sunning" window. I might be out to lunch here but it works for me.

Thanks Don,
I agree with you about the sunlight thing. I use the highest rated full spectrum lights I can get hold of (never as good as the real thing – but it’s the best I can provide all the time). I am no expert either but my aim is to try and explore all possibility’s to give my Diamond a long and healthy life.

UVA and UVB - why not, couldn’t hurt? Perhaps what is bugging me is that so many people have trouble with short lifespans of their Diamond Pythons – and I want to do whatever I can to prolong my snakes life. Of all the anecdotal evidence I’ve read or heard about, Dietary supplements are the only thing I can see a downside to.

As you said, “plenty of exercise” can only be good for the python. Not over feeding the snake is not a bad thing. A suitably cooler temperature regime will be fine as long as the snake is monitored for any ill effects. I would just like to be able to weigh up the pro’s and con’s before I dive in with supplements. If I can’t learn anything about them then I just won’t use them.

Hi Chris, the question you ask is a good one!
when i first started working with diamonds aprox 10 years ago
i asked the same thing.
after investigating the theory to use or not to use supplements,calcium,ect.
i would have to warn you that no one, not even knowledgable vets know what would be a safe amount for them to metabolize.

I also don`t claim to be an expert,but the best thing i think you can do is give them some kind of UV if you can not take them outide use a quality lamp like reptisun 5.0 and remember the UVA and UVB value does not last as long as the lanp does!
good luck , Diamonds are my fovorite also:

Thanks for the feed back garyvalle. That is the exact type of light I am using. I think the manufactures say that the UV lasts for about 12 to 18 months but I will be changing them over about every 8-10 months. Once the little fella moves into a bigger enclosure I might have a look at some of the mercury bulbs floating around. Here’s some pic’s of the little guy. I can't wait until his colours come out.

n/p

I can't help you with diamonds, but I can help you with calcium.

I've used Miner-All I on all my animals, especially when they were babies and eating pinkies. Miner-All I (the "I" is for Indoor formula -- contains vitamin D) is a very fine powder that sticks to pinkies or fur better than any other calcium supplement. And it contains other essential minerals besides calcium (hence -- Miner-ALL).

As of yet, I haven't had an animal that refused food dusted with it, including a yearling JCP that I just switched over to dusted f/t rat pups -- after two normal rat pup feedings I went to the dusted ones with no problem.

So the stuff must taste good.

Anyway, that's my recommendation for calcium. And be sure to get the "I" formula so you have the vitamin D too.

Regards,

Bill

Thanks Bill,
I'll have a look at that product.

How long have you been using Miner-All I and have you had any problems feeding your snakes while trying to ween them off the powder?

No problems at all. When the animals were large enough to eat adult mice or small rats I stopped using the Miner-All.

I especially liked the way my tiny baby GTP ate dusted pinkies, then dusted fuzzies, then onto small mice with occasional dusting.

I supplement with Miner-All when the f/t food item has no fully developed bones. If you're into lizards, the powder sticks wonderfully to superworms.

It's good stuff. You can call Sticky Tongue Farms, the makers of Miner-All, and talk with them about the product.

Bill

n/p

I do not use any supplements, however, I do give my diamonds sunlight in the mornings and I have to say that they have responded quite well to it. They have become more lively and their muscle tone has increased dramatically! The best thing I have ever done for these pythons!!! This helps their bodies sythesize the the nutrients that are needed for stronger bones and nervous system development without overdosing on supplements.

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