Calcium in insects

[Kristenmarie211]

I keep hearing that insects are a good source of calcium. If this is true, then how come we need to dust them with calcium?

[Chinchilla527]

Well, insects' shell are mainly chitin, I believe they contain very little calcium.

[kueluck]

It depends on the feeder you use. Here's some good info to read on.
Common Feeder Insects: What’s Best for Reptile Health & Nutrition | moonvalleyreptiles.com

[UncleChester]

I keep hearing that insects are a good source of calcium.

Good source of calcium for whom? Whose diet we are discussing is important here (so is the choice of insect as Gail has mentioned above). For example proponents of the 'humans should eat insects' movement like to point out that crickets are a great source of calcium relative to things like beef and this may be where you're hearing that insects are a good source of calcium.

[Tubby0512]

I feed my frog grasshoppers, flies, and crickets during spring, summer, fall and don't dust them with calcium powder. During winter months I dust his crickets with calcium powder because they are low in calcium. The grasshoppers and flies are loaded with calcium so I don't dust them.

[Kristenmarie211]

But really, if you think about it... Frogs in the wild don't eat dusted insects and they do just fine on insects alone. If they need calcium that bad, why would it be any different in captivity as long as you are feeding Healthy crickets and various other insects.

[Kristenmarie211]

Even that article posted stated if you feed a variety of insects and know which holds the nutrients the frog needs (calcium, protein, etc) you don't have to dust. Thank you for that information

[Kristenmarie211]

Thanks for the article. That helped a lot

[Tubby0512]

That is a good point. Some people tell me that I can't feed my frog crickets and bugs I get from my yard. I tell them that's were I got my frog. His parents laid their eggs in my pool so I rescued them. And if I released Tubby as a baby he would be eating the insects in my yard. So I don't see the problem of feeding my frog insects I get out doors.

[kueluck]

There's nothing wrong with feeding wild caught bugs as long as they are from a chemical free area. Also being in the wild has alot less stress on amphibians which makes it easier for their systems to function correctly.