Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is everyone's opinion on adding calcium to the diet of the female post egg laying? I have heard of some people injecting reptile calcium into the body cavity of the dead mouse prior to feeding. I am considering double clutching some of my snakes and want to be sure that the chance of egg binding is low.

I personally don't think it's necessary to add calcium to your rodents at any time if you feed your adult snakes rodents that are adult or young adults most of the time. Randy W.

Colubridman,I supplement my "milk"snakes with 2% milkfat organic milk and they lap it up after devouring the rats that I feed them after shoving 3 or 4 pure calcium vitamins in their mouths.Sure my milks have some weird spinal growths but the eggs they lay can't be broken with a 5 pound sledge hammer!!!!
So,I don't think extra calcium is detrimental to MILKsnakes.

P.S. Why do you think they are called "milk" snakes anyhows????

Why do you think I follow your lead brother J. You da man. RW

My Brother,you have forgotten more than than most of us will EVER know!When talk turns to most species bred,your name is at the top of the list.I think you are the snake wisperer judging by your success at propagating the many species that you have.See you in Daytona!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks but I think you have me mixed up with FR.

n/p
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Well, the rodents that snake's eat have all the necessary calcium that a snake needs for egg production under normal circumstances. When the shells of certain snake eggs are underdeveloped, or are otherwise abnormal looking(lumps. pits, translucent, etc...)it doesn't necessarily mean there is a calcium deficiency, as there can be a whole host of other reasons the shells didn't develop correctly that can also lead to calcium not being synthesized correctly. But it doesn't hurt if you want to use a supplement for snakes from what I've read, as long as it is ONLY calcium, and it DOESN'T contain vitamin D.

Here is just a little paragraph from a Q and A section of Dr. Linda Randall's D.V.M. website. It goes as follows........

Is it possible to overdose a herp on calcium?

"I have never been able to overdose a reptile with just calcium, nor have I spoken to a veterinarian who has. Reptiles are able to regulate the amount of calcium their body absorbs, and the rest is excreted in the feces. The problem begins when Vitamin D is added to the calcium mixture. This vitamin encourages the reptile’s system to absorb excessive calcium, which eventually leads to hypercalcemia, a serious condition. The calcium to phosphorus ratio is also very important when looking at calcium levels in the food offered to reptiles, and when reading blood chemistry results. If you have a herp that requires calcium supplementation, make sure it is only calcium that you are using. (At our hospital we use calcium carbonate, which is inexpensive and comes in a fine powder.) For anything else, consult with your veterinarian first to ensure you are feeding your particular pet correctly. When you read labels, you will find that many of the products sold as calcium supplements have Vitamin D3 added. This is not necessarily a bonus!"

best regards, ~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Personally hoping to see some varied opinions on this one... I've heard of injecting mice w/ varied forms of liquid calcium... though one could just 'dust' mice as well and achieve a similar effect. I personally don't see how it could hurt if not done to some overtly excessive point. Just the same I'm only really beginning to play around w/ it myself -- hope some experts chime in. As for double-clutching I'd be moreso worried about hydration and just solid feeding... But I'd supplement as well just for good measure.

Chris

I have experimented with this. I have found a little extra calcium helps a whole lot. The few years I did not use it I got lower numbers of eggs, lower quality, and a lower fertility rate. I do like to feed younger rodents during breeding season which may contribute to this. I have seen a number of snakes from one breeder double there out put in my hands doing this. I am a firm believr in a little extra supplement but just a little.
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i'm not over weight i'm under tall

Ca is needed for muscle action...such as uterine contraction during birthing....snake with low Ca may become egg bound...even though they appear healthy....

I also seem to recall that someone did a "controlled" study some years back with alterna and found that Ca supplements helped improve fertility if given to males. The summary was that sperm were otherwise less motile if Ca was lacking or inadiquate.

I've often wondered what kind of mineral supliment wild animals, particularly those from arid areas, get from ingesting some surface grit along with their prey. Certainly more than from pine shaving dust!

Where do you buy it...how do you administer it etc.?

Do you use it just during the breeding season?

Thanks,
Rusty

most pet stores have it on the shelves. Its just powder and you dust the rear end of the mice with it every few feedings.There are many other ways to do it but thats the easiest.

L8r

You beat me to it shannon.
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i'm not over weight i'm under tall

Do you buy your rodents from a supplier or do you breed your own? When you breed your own you can control what they eat, which also ends up being what your snake eats. We use Mazuri rodent diet for our stock and it seems to give them all the nutrition they need. If you are using what ever happens to be on sale this week and it does not provide the rodents with the nutrition they need than it is garbage in and garbage out for your snakes.
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Thanks!

Joe Exposito
Thoroughbred Exotics, LLC
www.thoroughbredexotics.com

but no one answered my question about the time frame you give the CA supplement?

All year or just during the breeding season?

Thanks,
Rusty

I just use it for my alterna only and just during the breeding season and there last meal before they go to sleep.Thats just me and I am sure answers wil vary.

L8r Shannon