Premium
Dry matter and calcium digestibility in captive veiled chameleons ( Chamaeleo calyptratus )
Author(s) -
Hoby S.,
Clauss M.,
Aebischer A.,
Wenker C.,
Robert N.,
Liesegang A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.651
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1439-0396
pISSN - 0931-2439
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01170.x
Subject(s) - dry matter , locust , calcium , biology , zoology , medicine , ecology
Summary Although metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a very common disease in reptiles kept as pets, empirical data on the calcium (Ca) metabolism of reptiles are still scarce. We used the opportunity of a large‐scale experimental study on growth and clinical manifestations of MBD in captive veiled chameleons ( Chamaeleo calyptratus ) to measure the apparent dry matter (DM) and Ca digestibility in 19 animals (6–49 g), receiving locust nymphs ( Locusta migratoria ) of two size classes (0.05 and 0.5 g) with or without supplementation of Ca, vitamin A and cholecalciferol (Group A: Ca 0.04‐0.09%DM; Group B: Ca 0.47‐0.84%DM). Dry matter digestibility was significantly lower for animals receiving smaller‐sized prey. A regression analysis of dietary Ca vs. digestible Ca content revealed a complete ‘true’ digestibility of Ca for the range of investigated diets, which might indicate that requirements for this mineral were not yet exceeded by the diets used (so that a reduction in Ca absorption would be induced). Options of higher dietary Ca provision, and reactions of chameleons to such diets, should be further investigated.