[MauricesExoticPets]

The object is not to exceed 2:1 Ca:P that would be the limit ratio wise. But the ratio does not measure quantity. When you dust and insect that already has the proper Ca:P ratio with a dust that also has the proper Ca:P ratio the insect meals Ca:P ratio does not change, it is the volume of Ca and P in that meal that goes up.

2gCa:1gP is the same as 8gCa:4gP as a matter of ratio, but as a matter of quantity the two are quite different (not that you could put that much into a cricket in the first place but I simply use those numbers as an example).

Another factor to consider is feeder size, smaller feeders are always better when looking to increase the Ca intake of a reptile. The reason is fairly simple, many smaller feeders have a much larger surface area than a single larger feeder of the same weight. When dusted this increased surface area helps deliver more Ca.

If ungutloaded insects are dusted with plain Ca this will result in a Ca:P ratio closer to what is required 1.5 to 2:1, but as you say not nearly perfect.

If properly gutloaded insects are dusted with plain Ca the Ca:P ratio will be altered on the Ca side of the ratio only, possibly elevating the Ca portion of the ratio too high.

I am interested in seeing your papers, considering all I do for a living is work with reptiles any information is interesting to me.

Maurice Pudlo

[Elizabeth Freer]

Maurice ~

I have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 8.0. I can read other pdf files and have done so a few minutes ago. Am also running Vista Home Premium. Could there be some incompatibility issues there?

[MauricesExoticPets]

I can e-mail the pdf to you if you like, otherwise I am unsure of how to make the link work for you. It still works for me.

Maurice Pudlo

[reptiven]

Also through the light some amphibians and other reptiles receive uv necessary for them so some components from this supplements are not need it so it's good to investigates depend on the specie we are keeping