Can reptiles see UVA?

Why do Reptiles need vitamin D3?

Most reptiles depend upon basking in the sun for warmth and its UVB exposure, to regulate and produce their own D3 within their system. No supplements needed. But also the UVA produced by these tubes opens up a whole different world for our reptiles. Us humans have 3 vision cones within our eyes.

Do Reptiles need calcium and phosphorus?

Like UVB and vitamin D3, knowing how to balance calcium and phosphorus intake is critical to managing a reptile’s health. Phosphorus is an element that can be found in high levels in animal and insect prey.

What causes hypocalcemia in reptiles?

Too much phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption, so maintaining a proper calcium/phosphorus balance in the diet is also important. If a reptile is diagnosed with hypocalcemia, the first step is to determine the cause. A veterinarian can rule out kidney disease, which causes calcium to be eliminated through urine.

What is phosphorus and how does it affect reptiles?

Phosphorus is an element that can be found in high levels in animal and insect prey. In order to properly metabolize (or digest) the phosphorus from meal, a reptile needs to have enough calcium in its system — twice as much, to be exact. This is a Ca:P ratio of approximately 2:1.

What happens when a reptile is low on calcium?

When there isn’t enough calcium for the reptile’s body to properly process phosphorus, it will steal calcium from bones and other stores. Over time, this repeated robbery of calcium can lead to MBD.

What is the most common bone disease in reptiles?

Metabolic Bone Diseases: Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is the most common bone disease seen in reptile practice. It relates to poor diet (low calcium to phosphorus ratio, vitamin D3 deficiency) or poor husbandry (lack of UVB light, inadequate thermal provision).

What happens if a reptile is deficient in calcium?

Without proper sun or UVB exposure, pet reptiles can be deficient in vitamin D3 and therefore deficient in calcium. Calcium is vital for bone growth and maintenance, muscle function, and metabolism. When blood calcium levels are low—a condition called hypocalcemia—an animal may suffer muscle twitches and lethargy.

What causes hyperparathyroidism in reptiles?

Courtesy of Dr. Stephen Divers. Secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism is the most common bone disease seen in reptile practice. It is caused by poor diet (low calcium to phosphorus ratio, vitamin D 3 deficiency) or poor husbandry (lack of UVB light, inadequate thermal provision).

Can too much phosphorus cause hypocalcemia in reptiles?

Too much phosphorus can interfere with calcium absorption, so maintaining a proper calcium/phosphorus balance in the diet is also important. If a reptile is diagnosed with hypocalcemia, the first step is to determine the cause.

Why is it important to provide reptiles with appropriate heating?

Therefore providing reptiles with appropriate heating is important for the prevention of MBD. Being ectothermic, reptiles must bask in order to maintain the correct body temperature. Reptiles must be provided with their preferred optimum temperature zone (POTZ) so it can maintain its preferred body temperature (PBT).

What is hypercalcemia in reptiles?

Hypercalcemia is a serious condition where there is too much calcium in the bloodstream, and it may cause serious health issues in reptiles. One major effects of calcium overdosing is renal failure, a fatal condition. When I tell people who ask about calcium dosage, the next question to usually follow is: “Well, how much is too much?”

What happens if a reptile has low calcium?

Low blood calcium can also lead to metabolic bone disease; to compensate for blood calcium deficiency, the body may utilize stored calcium from the bones to maintain blood levels. This can be serious problem for growing reptiles, causing poorly developed or soft “gumby” bones that are prone to fractures, according to Dr. Whittington.

How does phosphorus affect calcium absorption in reptiles?

High phosphorus reduces the amount of calcium which can be absorbed from the gut, as it complexes with calcium present there. This is a problem in reptiles fed pure meat with no calcium or bone supplement, and in herbivores which are predominantly fruit and lettuce consumers as these are high phosphorus low calcium foods.

What is mbd in reptiles?

After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a well recognized and all too common disease often seen in our pet reptiles.

What diseases do reptiles suffer from?

Many of the diseases that reptiles can suffer from are easy to prevent if you know what their needs are. Metabolic bone disease can occur in many species of reptile, such as snakes or monitor lizards. But the species that most commonly suffers this condition is the iguana.

Why are exotic reptiles so difficult to care for?

Exotic animals can make complicated pets, not least because of their dietary requirements. In fact, mistakes with their diet are the most common cause of metabolic bone disease in reptiles. Many of the diseases that reptiles can suffer from are easy to prevent if you know what their needs are.

What do the thyroid and parathyroid glands do in reptiles?

These two glands are involved in the regulation and mediation of several physiologic processes in reptiles, including shedding cycles, reproduction, growth, and changes in metabolic rate. However, few published reports of normal reference ranges for thyroid and parathyroid hormone plasma concentrations have been published.

What causes secondary hyperparathyroidism in reptiles?

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) or metabolic bone disease is commonly seen in reptiles. It occurs when a low intake of calcium stimulates parathyroid hormone to mobilise calcium from the bone to maintain normal blood levels.

What causes metabolic bone disease in reptiles?

Metabolic bone disease usually develops when dietary levels of calcium or vitamin D are too low, phosphorous levels are too high, and/or when inadequate exposure to ultraviolet-B wavelengths of light hinders normal vitamin D production and calcium metabolism within a reptile’s body.

What is nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism?

Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) is the most common nutritional disorder of captive reptiles, particularly herbivorous and insectivorous lizards and chelonians. NSHP is commonly referred to as metabolic bone disease.

How do you treat hypocalcemia in reptiles?

Of course, the best way to treat hypocalcemia is to prevent it by supplying ample calcium in the diet, maintaining a proper calcium/phosphorus ratio, and supplying a good source of UVB light. If you have any questions regarding hypocalcemia, dietary calcium, or UVB light for your reptile, contact your local exotics veterinarian.

How much calcium do Reptiles need to digest phosphorus?

In order to properly metabolize (or digest) the phosphorus from meal, a reptile needs to have enough calcium in its system — twice as much, to be exact. This is a Ca:P ratio of approximately 2:1.

Why is humidity important for reptiles?

The importance of Temperature and Humidity for reptiles and amphibians. This is why humid and warm conditions are essential for most species. Reptile species vary, but most require a constant temperature between 70 to 85°F with basking areas that reach over 100°F. Proper humidity is just as important as temperature.

Why do Reptiles need a temperature gradient?

In the wild, they naturally gravitate to an area with the temperature they need, moving into the sun or shaded areas as necessary. Therefore, a temperature gradient must be provided so that the reptile can choose the appropriate temperature as needed. Temperatures must not be so high as to overheat the reptile.

What is hypercalcemia in Dragons?

Hypercalcemia occurs when there is too much calcium in the blood and can lead to dragons becoming sickly, and in some cases, even dying. So, how does this happen exactly?

Do Reptiles need calcium supplements?

Calcium specifically but overall vitamin and mineral supplementation is something that is and has been ‘guessed’ at for as long as we have been keeping reptiles. Type in the search string calcium supplementation reptiles and out of the top ten search results you get only two dealing with dosage and related subjects.

What can affect a reptile’s calcium level?

They also mention there are other factors which can affect the calcium readings, such as age, sex, and reproductive status of the animal in question. Hypercalcemia is a serious condition where there is too much calcium in the bloodstream, and it may cause serious health issues in reptiles.