Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchases a bottle of calcium and vitamin supplment called HerpCare. It is a powdery substance. I wanted to make sure that is what I need to give my Leopard Tortoise.

Thanks

I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but what you mainly want to look for is a brand with NO phosphorous in it. Especially if you give your tortoises commercially grown vegetables. Commercialy grown vegies contain a tremendous amount of phosphorous because of the chemical fertilizers used on them, and that will interfere with calcium absorbtion. If you give them a supplement that also has phosphorous in it, that can cause some serious problems. You want to try to balance the ratio out.

Tortoises raised outside, or given organically grown vegies, have far less of a problem with calcium/phosphorous ratio.

What many people don't realize, is that the same applies to all animals, including humans. Anyone wonder why osteoperosis is so asonishingly common in the modern world? The way produce is grown with commercial fertilizers is a very big reason. Soft drinks, which also contain a huge amount of phospherous, are another huge reason. Calcium absorbtion is being blocked.