JurassiCal
JurassiCal™ is a concentrated (400,000 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.
Many commonly fed fruits and vegetables lack adequate amounts of calcium. Likewise, in most invertebrate species, calcium is inadequate (less than 0.5 mg/kcal). In most cases, invertebrate prey will require calcium supplementation. In addition, vertebrate prey often falls short of the recommended 2 : 1 ratio. In such cases, calcium supplementation should be considered.
Not sure which foods you should be dusting or spraying with calcium? For a list of Ca:P ratio values of common foods:
food: 1 cup |
calcium |
phosphorus |
Ca:P ratio |
Collards |
148 mg |
19 mg |
10:1 |
Rhubard |
105 mg |
17 mg |
10:1 |
Yellow Wax Beans |
174 mg |
34 mg |
5:1 |
Papaya |
72 mg |
16 mg |
5:1 |
Turnip Greens |
106 mg |
24 mg |
5:1 |
Chinese Cabbage |
74 mg |
26 mg |
3.3:1 |
Dandelion Greens |
104 mg |
36 mg |
3.3:1 |
Parsley |
122 mg |
38 mg |
3.3:1 |
Kale |
98 mg |
36 mg |
2.5:1 |
Beet Greens |
164 mg |
58 mg |
2.5:1 |
Cabbage |
32 mg |
16 mg |
2.5:1 |
Watercress |
40 mg |
20 mg |
2:1 |
Chard |
102 mg |
58 mg |
2:1 |
Dark Green Leaf Lettuce |
28 mg |
14 mg |
2:1 |
Spinach |
56 mg |
28 mg |
2:1 |
Green Onions |
60 mg |
32 mg |
2:1 |
Leeks |
60 mg |
36 mg |
1.7:1 |
Endive |
23 mg |
14 mg |
1.7:1 |
Blackberries |
46 mg |
30 mg |
1.7:1 |
|
|
food: 1 cup |
calcium |
phosphorus |
Ca:P ratio |
Celery |
44 mg |
32 mg |
1.4:1 |
Grapes |
13 mg |
9 mg |
1.4:1 |
Cabbage (inside leaves) |
46 mg |
34 mg |
1.4:1 |
Turnips |
36 mg |
30 mg |
1.3:1 |
Green Beans |
58 mg |
48 mg |
1.3:1 |
Radish |
24 mg |
20 mg |
1.3:1 |
Eggplant |
30 mg |
26 mg |
1.3:1 |
Okra |
100 mg |
90 mg |
1.1:1 |
Apples |
10 mg |
10 mg |
1.1:1 |
Canataloupe |
17 mg |
27 mg |
1.1:1 |
Lettuce (head, iceberg) |
16 mg |
16 mg |
1:1 |
Pineapple |
11 mg |
11 mg |
1:1 |
Mango |
21 mg |
22 mg |
1:1 |
|
food: 1 cup |
calcium |
phosphorus |
Ca:P ratio |
Pears |
15 mg |
18 mg |
0.8:1 |
Sweet Potato |
29 mg |
37 mg |
0.8:1 |
Stawberries |
42 mg |
56 mg |
0.8:1 |
Guavas |
18 mg |
23 mg |
0.8:1 |
Cherries (pitted) |
10 mg |
13 mg |
0.8:1 |
Cucumber |
14 mg |
18 mg |
0.8:1 |
Rutabaga |
72 mg |
84 mg |
0.8:1 |
Apricots |
15 mg |
21 mg |
0.7:1 |
Beets |
18 mg |
26 mg |
0.7:1 |
Brussel Sprouts |
56 mg |
88 mg |
0.6:1 |
Cauliflower |
28 mg |
46 mg |
0.6:1 |
Blueberries |
18 mg |
30 mg |
0.6:1 |
Peaches |
5 mg |
11 mg |
0.5:1 |
Pumpkin |
36 mg |
74 mg |
0.5:1 |
Sweet Potato |
64 mg |
124 mg |
0.5:1 |
Asparagus |
44 mg |
108 mg |
0.4:1 |
Carrots |
28 mg |
64 mg |
0.4:1 |
Tomato |
16 mg |
58 mg |
0.3:1 |
Bananas |
7 mg |
22 mg |
0.3:1 |
Yams |
18 mg |
66 mg |
0.3:1 |
Plums |
4 mg |
14 mg |
0.3:1 |
|
|
Calcium in Invertabrate Prey |
In most invertabrate species, calcium is inadequate (less than 0.5 mg/kal). Those insects that do contain more calcium have calcified exoskeletons and will generally not be accepted for consumption. Whether commerical or wild-caught, invertabrate prey will require calcium supplementation. For calcium supplementation, try JurassiCal™ or JurassiCal™ Liquid. |
|
Food Item |
calcium |
phosphorus |
Ca:P ratio |
House Cricket |
0.3 mg/kcal |
2.7 mg/kcal |
0.1:1 |
Commercial Cricket |
0.2 mg/kcal |
2.6 mg/kcal |
0.1:1 |
Mulberry Silk Moth Larva |
0.5 mg/kcal |
0.6 mg/kcal |
0.8:1 |
Mealworm Larva |
0.1 mg/kcal |
1.2 mg/kcal |
0.1:1 |
Waxworm Larva |
0.1 mg/kcal |
0.9 mg/kcal |
0.1:1 |
|
Calcium in Vertabrate Prey |
Food Item (gm) |
calcium |
phosphorus |
Ca:P ratio |
Meadow Vole (32) |
7.0 mg/kcal |
7.3 mg/kcal |
1.1:1 |
Mouse, adult (27) |
5.0 mg/kcal |
3.6 mg/kcal |
1.4:1 |
Mouse, pup (1.5) |
3.8 mg/kcal |
3.7 mg/kcal |
1:1 |
Mouse, pup (4) |
2.4 mg/kcal |
2.2 mg/kcal |
1.1:1 |
Rat, adult (330) |
4.4 mg/kcal |
3.2 mg/kcal |
1.4:1 |
Chick, day old (40) |
2.7 mg/kcal |
2.0 mg/kcal |
1.4:1 |
Atlantic Smelt (100) |
3.2 mg/kcal |
4.4 mg/kcal |
0.7:1 |
Trout Chow (100) |
5.4 mg/kcal |
3.5 mg/kcal |
1.5:1 |
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Directions
BEGINNER: Lightly dust food before serving. Adheres best if food is already slightly moist. ADVANCED: Carnivores: Dust mammals and insects with 1 g (1/3 tsp.) for every 10 g (1/3 oz) of food. Dust boneless meat and gut loaded insects with 400 mg (1/8 tsp.) for every 10 g (1/3 oz) of food. Herbivores: Dust vegetables and fruits with 1 g (1/3 tsp.) for every 400 g (about 4 cups) 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 on our website, here. To increase calcium content by 100 mg, add 250 mg (1/16 tsp.) of JurassiCal™. For example, if offering food that contains 200 mg of phosphorus and 20 mg of calcium and the desired Ca:P ratio is 2:1, you would need to add 380 mg calcium (1,000 mg (1/3 tsp.) of JurassiCal™). You can safely increase this amount to account for powder non-adherence loss during dusting. ADVICE: The following types of food interfere with calcium adsorption and should be avoided: phytates (soy), oxalates (spinach) and dog or cat foods.
Guaranteed Analysis
Calcium (min) |
36% |
Calcium (max) |
40% |
Ingredients: calcium carbonate