Calcium/minerals in the wild?

[Spoon]

I feed Bugsy his bugs in a bowl and mist them with water before sprinkling on supplements.( protein, hydration and calcium all at once) When he's done he'll "tongue-dive" at the bottom of the bowl to get the rest of the calcium up.
This made me wonder if wild beardies get their supplements from natural deposits in the ground?

 

[Canicke]

interesting thought. cant give you an answer. they don't generally live as long in the wild, don't live in cages, probably get their calcium and vit needs from the veggies and insects they eat naturally (as opposed to the "grown" stuff we provide) Some beardies (lie yours) like the flavor of their supps - most do not (my boy wont even eat his supers if they've got powder on 'em !!)

 

[PatsyB]

That is an interesting question. I suppose they get it from the bugs and plants they eat in the wild and from licking the ground they walk on but then like Canicke said, they don't really live long in the wild.

 

[Elders]

I feed Bugsy his bugs in a bowl and mist them with water before sprinkling on supplements.( protein, hydration and calcium all at once) When he's done he'll "tongue-dive" at the bottom of the bowl to get the rest of the calcium up.
This made me wonder if wild beardies get their supplements from natural deposits in the ground?

Found a couple resources regarding this:

http://www.reptileboards.com/threads/calcium-in-the-wild.20819/

"They do not get Calcium as a powder, in the wild. There is calcium in egg shells, and in the exoskeletons of insects. The reason you need to use calcium/mineral powder is to supplement the amounts. The crickets sold at pet stores are bred in captivity, and it is difficult to feed them what they need for proper mineralization, so it is easier to add the minerals later, as a powder."

It just seems the beardies we know and love are not nearly as adept at absorbing the calcium like wild beards are...due to inbreeding for colors and morphs that we have in the herp trade.

Very interesting and great question!

 

[Hdrydr31]

Awesome thank you!!