Metabolic bone disease is the number one malady affecting captive reptiles. The term metabolic bone disease describes a whole series of symptoms caused by an imbalance of calcium, phosphorus or Vitamin D. In animals with the disease, calcium is pulled out of the bones to supply the body's demands. This leaves bones soft and weak, even rubbery. They break easily of become deformed, resulting in soft shells, bowed legs, or fallen jaws.
Foods with a normal calcium balance include asparagus, banana, tomato, cantaloupe, zucchini, strawberries, plum, carrot, figs, endive, alfalfa hay/pellets, earthworms, crickets ,slugs, and whole prey such as mice.