Calcium Supplement

[NWReptiles]

Calcium...

Most times it's recommended to dip a mouse/rat in calcium before feeding, from time to time.

I see a couple times this could be difficult.
1) When the snake is off food (like in breeding season)
2) When you feed live prey.

What about calcium in the water? Recommendations? Dosages? Warnings?

I'd like to be sure eggs are as strong as possible.

I have not considered calcium supplementing until now.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I've never done it, and I doubt it's necessary, rodents should provide the calcium they need.

[John1982]

As long as your ball python is already healthy, dietary supplements are unnecessary.

[Homegrownscales]

Agreed I've never done ca supplements with my balls. All the eggs that come out of the girls are strong and healthy. As long as the animal is fed well they should get everything they need from the prey.


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[SlitherinSisters]

I have never heard of doing that with ball pythons, with reptiles that only eat insects in captivity it makes sense. Ball pythons are eating whole rodents and getting plenty of calcium that way. If the snake needs some sort of supplement it shouldn't be bred.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Most times it's recommended to dip a mouse/rat in calcium before feeding, from time to time.

Who and where has this been recommended most times

BP get everything they need from their prey items

[rebelrachel13]

As said... no need for supplements! I doubt it would make any substantial difference, even if you used it frequently.

You don't see me dusting my food with calcium before I eat it, and I'm okay! Ha, jk, but you get what I mean.

[paulh]

There is so much calcium in rodent bones that extra goes through unabsorbed.

Best way to ensure that existing calcium is used is to fortify the diet with vitamin D3. Easiest way to do that is to stick a rodent out in raw sunlight for 10 minutes or so before feeding it to the snake. The UV light in sunlight forms D3 in the rodent's skin.