Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know some animals absorb dietary D3 better than others. How effective is it to beardies? Thanks,
Chris D.
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Hey mine name is Chris and I currently have 1.0 Midland Painted, 1.0 YBS, and 0.2 Leopard geckos.
This is my female.

its important to supplement your dragons with D3 as well as use UVB lighting to help them produce their own. If you keep a dragon outside it becomes much less imortant. Keep in mind you can overdose on D3 so use common sense, if a dragon lives outside and has access to the suns rays he wont need it and will produce enough of his own, a dragon under UVB lighting will need to be supplemented w/D3 as he will not produce nearly enough for his body to be able to use the calcium needed to stay healthy.

I know I'm going to catch hell for this response, but I'm used to it. That being said, dietary d3 in a beardies diet is effective to the point that you DO NOT need to use a uvb source. If attention is paid to dusting crix and salads with a good calcium w/d3 supplement. I use mineral I and sandfire superfoods Veggie Growth Formula. If you want more info about raising dragons without uv check out the link. These breeders have raised 1000's without the use of UVB bulbs. I need to stress that light intensity is important for good feeding response, therefore flouresent lighting is recommended.

Dachiu FAQ's

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Bill DiFabio
Azteclizard.com
Email Me

while this is true, and works for those who do provide a great diet and are knowlegable herpers, for the newbie, or average keeper, i think reccomending a UVB bulb is always a good idea, anything that can help... JMO i dont think you should catch hell for having an opinion, especially one that you can back up with fact.

You're Evil!! azteclizard, making your dragons suffer so without UVB lights, how could you???

Just kidding

I agree that proper diet and suppliments would make a UVB unnecessary. Reptiles need UVB to create vitamin D3 and if they are giving D3 in their diet then the UVB isn't necessary. It is a good caution to have one anyway as it ensures health just in case D3 is lacking in diet, even with supplimentation.

Almost since I received my dragon I was worrieed he wasn't geting enough UVB light as the bulb is more than 12" away from him..(maybe closer to 14-15" away). I supplimented Calcium with D3 and a multi vitamine every other day and he has grown from 8 inches long and maybe 30g (didn't weigh him till a month or so after I bought him, he was 45g at first weighing). Now, almost 4 months later, Splatt is 15" long and 200g in weight. Certainly good indication he is healthy and growing. (he's nearly 7 months old, had him when he was 3 months old).