Care Sheet for UromastyxAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.25 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 02/20/2009 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Uromastyx |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | MissAnne2u |
Years Experience: | 1 to 2 Years |
Species: | Mali Uromastyx |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | Most Species of Uromastyx |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Sexing can be hard because some males mimic female and vice versa. Personally, I would be more concerned on achieving the proper temperatures to ensure the health of your Uro than the sex.
Some males will be darker with brighter coloring than females. Mali’s tend to be more yellow. But there are species that have oranges, blues, greens and reds. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Uromastyx do NOT need water in their enclosure. Some owners do put a small lid of water in the enclosure from time to time to assist with hydrating an animal, but it is only in the enclosure for a very short period of time. Uros get their water from their diet.
Substrates are a very highly debated topic. Just keep these simple rules in Mind:
If Uro is UNDER 7" Long in total length, it should be kept on Paper towels, newspaper or butcher paper.
If the Uro is OVER 7" Long in total length, it can be kept on Washed / Sifted Play sand, Pool Filter Sand, Millet Seed or Tile.
Sand is easy to clean and looks very nice, but can possibly cause impaction in your animal if they swallow too much. Sand also holds the heat very well.
Millet seeds are also easy to clean, but your animal could eat too much of it and not eat their greens. Millet doesn’t hold the heat very well, so you may have to up the wattage of bulb to acquire the proper temperatures.
Tile seems to be extremely easy to clean with no real cons to it, but since I have never used it, I cannot really comment on any cons that may be associated with using it.
Never under any circumstances should you use Calci-Sand. It has been known to cause impaction and death. |
Lighting and UVB: | All Uromastyx need Heat and UVB to properly digest their food. The best way to achieve the proper temperatures is by using a Mercury Vapor Bulb (MegaRay is the most widely used). Proper temperatures can also be achieved by using a good Basking Light with a UVB Bulb, preferably a Tube UVB and NOT a Coil UVB. I have found that Repti-Sun 10.0 Tube UVB are the best and last a long time.
Lights should be on a timer and a 12 on / 12 off schedule. But can be extended or shortened with the seasons. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | You will need to invest in at least two digital Thermometers that have humidity monitors on them and an In-fared Temp Gun. The stick on and dial ones as they have been found inaccurate, so are not recommended.
Temperatures should be as follows:
Basking Area: 125 - 135 Degrees
Hot End Ambient (Air): 100 Degrees
Cool End Ambient (Air): 80 - 85 Degrees
Night Time Temp: No Lower than 70 Degrees
Most Uro owners keep their night time temps around 75 by using a Ceramic Heat Emitter. I have found that if I Keep one end of my enclosure at around 78 degrees my Uros are up and wandering around by 8am (my lights come on at 7am)
Never use any colored lights at night as this can throw their sleep patterns off.
Humidity levels should be kept at under 40% on the cool end of the enclosure. |
Heating and Equipment: | There are TWO different ways you can set up your heating / lighting equipment:
OPTION 1:
Basking Bulb or Halogen Flood bulb
UVB Tube Light (NOT the Compact Fluorescent type)
Household light bulb for additional lighting
OPTION 2:
Mercury Vapor Bulb (puts out both heat and UVB)
Additional household bulb for extra lighting
You will need to experiment with different bulb wattages to achieve the proper temperatures previously discussed.
Never use an Under-Tank Heater or Heat Rocks as this can burn their stomachs. Uro’s get their heat from above, not below. If you need additional heat to achieve proper temps, think about adding a Ceramic Heat Emitter. |
Caging Provided: | Minimum Enclosure / Tank Size for ONE Uromastyx is 48" x 24" x 24". Egyptian Uromastyx require more space as they can get up to and over 2 Ft. Long in total length. Suggested size enclosure for an Egyptian would be 72" x 30" x 24". Common thought is BIGGER IS BETTER for Uromastyx.
Uromastyx require Low dark hides. The best way to achieve this is by using pavers and slate. This can also double as a basking area or feeding area. You will need at least TWO of these hides, one on each end of the Enclosure. |
Diet: | Herbivorous |
Description of Diet: | Uro’s are HERBIVORES ... They only eat Vegetables and Flowers. Uro’s should NEVER be fed any type of bug, i.e. Crickets or worms.
Your Uro will need to be fed Daily, approximately 1/2 cup to a full cup of greens. Weekly food will run you about $20.
Primary (Staple) Diet Items include: Curly Endive, Escarole and Dandelion Leaves.
Additional items that can be added in every few days include: Bok Choi, Chopped Cilantro, Bell Peppers (all colors), grated squash and zuchinni. (I’m sure there are other items, but these are the ones that I rotate in every few days)
Items that can be given sparingly (maybe 2 - 3 times per month) include: Small bits of mango, apple or thawed blueberries. You can also soak lentils and lima beans and give them a couple of times a month. Also Edible Pesticide-Free flowers such as Pansies, Rose Petals, Nastursiums and Hibiscus can be given as a treat. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | If your Uro is getting the right diet, and you have the proper temperatures, there shouldn’t be any need for supplements.
If you do need them, D3 Calcium powder (Miner-All) can be sprinkled 1x per week on their veggies. You can also sprinkle Bee Pollen on their food 1 - 2 times per month to stimulate eating if your Uro is not eating well. You can also acquire Mazuri Pellets, grind them up and sprinkle it on the greens 1 - 2 times per week. |
Maintenance: | Once you get your set up running and have the proper temperatures, maintenance is pretty easy. Daily cleaning out of the food dish and feces from the enclosure and Cleaning the glass a couple of times a month. If you are using Sand or Millet, that will need to be totally changed out every 6 months. |
Some Words on this Species: | Please note that alot pet stores know little or nothing about about Uromastyx or how to keep and care for them. Please do lots of research, read forums, books, ask questions before acquiring your animal.
Uromastyx are a wonderful animal to keep and have as a pet but please remember that they are NOT a cuddling pet, they are an observation pet. Handling will stress them out and should only occur for Cage Cleaning, Weighing and Vet Visits.
Please have your enclosure / tank set up and running for at least a Week prior to acquiring your Uromastyx.
If you do decide to get a Uro, please acquire one from a breeder. Be prepared to put out at least $500 for the initial set up (Enclosure, lighting, heating, thermometers, food dishes, hides and decor), that does not include the animal, the Vet Visit for a parasite check or the increase in your Electric bill each month and the cost of weekly food. |
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