Description
JurassiCal- Liquid
JurassiCal is a concentrated (160,000 ppm) phosphorus free source of calcium for reptiles and amphibians. Herbivorous and carnivorous diets are frequently calcium deficient and phosphorus rich. Thus, it is of no benefit to use a calcium supplement containing phosphorus. Ideally the dietary calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio should be no less than 1.2:1 and is ideally maintained from 2:1 up to 8:1 (depending on the species)*. Lack of calcium in the diet can lead to metabolic bone disease and shell deformities and soft shells in turtles and tortoises.
JurassiCal is also Vitamin D3 free. Although Vitamin D3 is necessary for calcification (biological incorporation of calcium into bone, shell, etc.), excessive amounts can be toxic and may lead to hypercalcemia. To ensure compatibility with JurassiVite (which does contain Vitamin D3 in the safe cholecalciferol form) and to aid in maintaining the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio, JurassiCal does not contain either phosphorus or Vitamin D3.
*Mader, Reptile Medicine & Surgery, 1996.
Not sure which foods you should be dusting or spraying with calcium? For a list of Ca:P ratio values of common foods, check here.
Directions
BEGINNER: Lightly spray food before serving. ADVANCED: Carnivores: Spray mammals and insects with 20 squirts (0.25 mL) for every 1 g (1/32 oz) of food. Spray boneless meat and gut loaded insects with 8 squirts for every 1 g (1/32 oz) of food. Herbivores: Spray vegetables and fruits with 1 squirt for every 2 g (1/32 oz) of food. Use 2-4 times more for turtles and tortoises and to increase calcium deposition in breeding or gravid animals. EXPERT: Carnivores or Herbivores: Determine phosphorus and calcium content of the food and add according to desired Ca:P ratio. Values for common foods are available through selected reptile/amphibian references and our website, here. To increase calcium content by 100 mg, use 50 squirts (0.625 mL (1/8 tsp.)) of JurassiCal Liquid. For larger amounts it may be easier to measure directly; 5 mL (1 tsp.) adds 800 mg calcium. For example, if offering food that contains 410 mg of phosphorus and 20 mg of calcium and the desired Ca:P ratio is 2:1, you would need to add 800 mg calcium (5 mL (1 tsp.) of JurassiCal Liquid. ADVICE: The following types of food impair with calcium absorption and should be avoided: phytates (soy), oxalates (spinach) and high fat dog or cat acidified foods.
