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 #2084428


Broceaus
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 Feeding ratios for savanna

what is a good insect/mouse ratio for feeding a sav in regards to the vitimins that it needs?

I have a sav that is about 8 inches. I feed him mostly crickets, about 20 large per day. ( I will switch to roaches some time in the future.) He gets 3 mice a week. I’m not giving him any supplements (calcium or D). I was pretty confident that the mice would contain the calcium and D that he needed. Now after reading a bit I’m not so sure.

Should I be dusting my crickets? Should I be feeding more mice? He seems very healthy and active I just want to be sure he’s getting the best care.
10/15/09  08:53pm

 #2086045


Anders65
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   Message To: Broceaus   In reference to Message Id: 2084428


 Feeding ratios for savanna

Hi Broceaus ,
you can lightly dust all insects with just pure calcium every feed and if by mice you mean pinkies , dust them as well as their bones arent properly formed and they contain very little calcium.

For d3 which they need for calcium absorption give a good quality reptile multi vitamin supplement containing d3 1-2 times weekly ,dont overdo the vitamins as some are toxic at high levels, they don,t need much .

This is just a way i personally have found to work (mainly helping people with rescued savs) and calcium/vitamin deficiency as never been an issue . obviously see what others have to say though regarding different methods or newly available supplements etc.

Andy
10/19/09  06:12pm

 #2086135


Krusty
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   Message To: Anders65   In reference to Message Id: 2086045


 Feeding ratios for savanna

Zoo and Vet studies where they essentially grind an entire mouse up or an entire cricket have found that mice (adult) are a nice 2:1 (Ca:P) which is what you want. Commercially-raised insects like crickets are usually low in Calcium to a ratio of something like 1:9 and Superworms are 1:20, so dusting your bugs with Ca and D3 a couple times per week is a good idea. You are much more likely to underdo the Calcium than overdo it, although both scenarios are possible.
10/19/09  09:22pm

 #2086437


Mdf
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   Message To: Broceaus   In reference to Message Id: 2084428


 Feeding ratios for savanna


I’ve tried 50/50 insects/mice & 70/30 mice /insects & 80/20 mice/ insects & feeder fish.

50/50 your monitor is usually smaller because it’s hard to keep up with their feeding demands when it comes to insects mainly.

70/30 seemed to give you the growth that a young needs with a balanced diet.

80/20 in my view seems to leave a fatty belly appearance on the belly area, i don’t think this will cause much problems in the first year, but after that I’m not sure. So I’d go for 70/30 or 60/40 in favor of mice along with good access to basking areas at the correct temps.
10/20/09  04:05pm


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