BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I would error on the side of caution and provide it because I know what it can do to a reptile that needs it but I'm researching for my sister too and I know she doesn't seek out information like I do and just wants to have a cool pet but without as mush work or cost so I'm trying to determine what will happen if she gets one and doesn't provide UVB or how common it is to not provide UVB.

I bought a light when I first got my skink but didn't replace it when it burnt out 3 months later and just kept supplementing with vit D & calcium powder and a multivitamin on her meals

I prefer to give him UVB and him to not need it then to not give him it and he needs it, usually 30 minutes a week in the sun is meant to be enough for them instead of a UVB but i use a UVB along with taking him outside everyday for 5-15 minutes and like Dood i also supplement with Calcium + D3 powder(Oddly enough my bluie likes the powder and will lick the powder of food or of my finger).

i dont use uv light nor do i supplement there wetdogfood diet,only because its already supplemented and after years and years of using it havnt had any issues

im not reccomending not adding any of that though,just in my experience ive not found the need to

Basicly I use the UVB for winter and rainy spring,other than that I can just take him out for real sun sometime
Ps.About Calcium + D3...I think it's mostly for young ones, I didnt use it much after mine grow into full size and nothing wrong happened

MechHAN wrote:Basicly I use the UVB for winter and rainy spring,other than that I can just take him out for real sun sometime
Ps.About Calcium + D3...I think it's mostly for young ones, I didnt use it much after mine grow into full size and nothing wrong happened

Yeah thats what i thought aswell, its mainly a boost for the bones while they grow up isnt it?

NickBrahz wrote:

MechHAN wrote:Basicly I use the UVB for winter and rainy spring,other than that I can just take him out for real sun sometime
Ps.About Calcium + D3...I think it's mostly for young ones, I didnt use it much after mine grow into full size and nothing wrong happened

Yeah thats what i thought aswell, its mainly a boost for the bones while they grow up isnt it?

Maybe for people cant get good calcium sourse for daily food too?

Richard.C wrote:i dont use uv light nor do i supplement there wetdogfood diet,only because its already supplemented and after years and years of using it havnt had any issues

im not reccomending not adding any of that though,just in my experience ive not found the need to

but how much unfiltered sun light to your guys get? I thought you had them outside, at least in the summer

I forgot to add that I do take my skink out to bask in sunlight throughout the summer, depending on the temperatures of course.

I've never used uv on any of my skinks. I had an IJ for 15 years and never used it. I just supplement their diet. But there is no harm in using. I guess it's just up to the keeper if they want to use it.

dood only have blotchies and easterns outside,anf a hand full of cunningham skinks,to cold and wet here for most of my other stuff

calcium is also important for female adults especially breeder females,producing alot of babies saps there calcium ,not just a baby thing

I use the same MVBs on my BTs that I use on my Bearded Dragons, even though they do not bask nearly as much. Just me, I guess. They are expensive but convenient in the way that you only need that one bulb. I may do away with them eventually, just based on what I've been reading here in the forum, but will continue to use on females and definitely growing babies. I do not think adults would suffer any harm without, so long as their nutritional needs are being met.

NickBrahz wrote:

MechHAN wrote:Basicly I use the UVB for winter and rainy spring,other than that I can just take him out for real sun sometime
Ps.About Calcium + D3...I think it's mostly for young ones, I didnt use it much after mine grow into full size and nothing wrong happened

Yeah thats what i thought aswell, its mainly a boost for the bones while they grow up isnt it?

The body still requires calcium even when fully developed. It is present in every major organ as well as skeletal; inter alia it is needed to regulate heartbeat. Calcium also leaches from bones and needs to be replaced as a regular dietary function. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is produced by exposing the skin to UVB, generally in the form of sunlight and is needed to metabolise calcium. It can also be added as a dietary supplement. It is a lifelong need.

If there is a shortage of calcium to maintain the body it will be drawn from its most abundant supply i.e. the skeleton, leading to MBD in reptiles, or in mammals, rickets.

I don't give UVB bulbs, but I take mine outside very often to get UV radiation.

El Lobo wrote:The body still requires calcium even when fully developed.
If there is a shortage of calcium to maintain the body it will be drawn from the skeleton, leading to MBD in reptiles

Please read up on this.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=23736

Susann wrote:

El Lobo wrote:The body still requires calcium even when fully developed.
If there is a shortage of calcium to maintain the body it will be drawn from the skeleton, leading to MBD in reptiles

Please read up on this.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=23736

Hi sorry to camp on this thread, just have a question about the thread in that link - I use Zoomed Repti Calcium with D3, but it doesn't say "active" anywhere. Ingredients are Precipitated calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol. Is this supplement ok for both calcium and D3?

wermy wrote:

Susann wrote:

El Lobo wrote:The body still requires calcium even when fully developed.
If there is a shortage of calcium to maintain the body it will be drawn from the skeleton, leading to MBD in reptiles

Please read up on this.
viewtopic.php?f=24&t=23736

Hi sorry to camp on this thread, just have a question about the thread in that link - I use Zoomed Repti Calcium with D3, but it doesn't say "active" anywhere. Ingredients are Precipitated calcium carbonate, cholecalciferol. Is this supplement ok for both calcium and D3?

The product you are describing (Zoomed Repti Calcium with D3) states "cholecalciferol" which is vitamin D3. Cholecalciferol is converted in the liver by enzyme action to produce dihydroxycholecalciferol. This then is re-processed with enzymes in the kidney to produce calciriol, the active form of vitamin D3.