Sunday, October 9, 2016

How iguanas need their vitamin D - from light or a supplement?

There are two ways to get vitamin D - eat it or absorb it through the skin from light. Does it matter which? In the wild green iguanas would regulate their body temperature and their vitamin D by basking in the sun (an ultra violet light source) then going to the shade (without ultra violet light) when too hot. As they are herbivores they cannot get the vitamin from their food.
In 2004 a study suggested that dietary supplements of vitamin D were a good source rather than UV light. The problem with UV light then was that a reliable source of light was then not available.
You will find the details of the study here - http://www.anapsid.org/pdf/jody-hibma-uvb.pdf
In l996, a more complicated study was set up. This time different lighting was used and some of the iguanas showed very high levels of vitamin D, if they were given both a dietary supplement and an UV light. Strangely, though, these high levels didn't seem to poison them - though igs have been known to die of vitamin D overdose. Read the full account here - http://www.anapsid.org?iguana/bernard-d3.html.
So do iguanas need UV light and dietary supplements. They certainly need UV light and when you do put in UV light, you must give the iguana a place in the shade where it can escape the light if it chooses. It will regulate its temperature so the UV light needs to be in the same place as the heat lamp. If it is not the lizard will spend most of its time in the heat lamp area and miss the benefits of UV lighting.
Do they need a vitamin supplement as well? This seems to be doubtful. A lot of the general reptile supplements on the market will do them no good and may do harm. Again, read up on the topic here - http://www.anapsid.org/vitamin.html
It's difficult. It's complicated. And we don't know as much as we should. All this means that a green iguana is a pet for the experienced reptile person, not for a beginner.

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