Care Sheet for UromastyxAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.06 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 11/23/2005 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Uromastyx |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Uro12303 |
Years Experience: | 5 to 10 Years |
Species: | Mali Uromastyx |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | N/A |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Males are brighter in color with yellow backs and black heads and legs, whereas females are tan to brown in color. There is an exception to this rule with male mimic females they look exactly like males in coloring. Another way to tale though harder is the presence on pores on the under sides of their hind legs, they will be enlarged with males. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | There is little to no need to give your uro standing water in their enclosure and it can be harmful by raising humidity levels within their cage giving them a lung infection. They can get all of their water in their food and you can spray their greens before feeding for extra moisture. Also you can bathe your uro once a month and they may or may not drink. If you Uro is dehydrated or has a medical problem it could be wise to soak them more often.
When choosing a substrate you must be careful off impaction and I recommend using millet seed 1/4 in deep throughout the cage(no sunflower seeds) other people use washed play-sand but I believe the chance of impaction is too great for me so don’t. Hatching and juvenile Uros are best kept on paper towels.
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Lighting and UVB: | Florescent lighting should be used with a reptisun 8.0 or other similar light. Mercury vapor bulbs also work very well and last longer. When given the chance let your Uro sunbathe outside in a Rubbermaid tub but keep an eye on it at all times. You will also need a basking light. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | The temperatures in the basking spot should be very warm between 110 and 120 degrees. The ambient temperature on the warm side of the enclosure should be at around 100 degrees and the cool side should be at around 80 degrees. At night the temps can fall to room temperature from the mid-sixties to the seventies. The Humidity in the cage should be very low from 10%-20%. |
Heating and Equipment: | Heating should only be achieved from florescent lighting, heat rocks are dangerous and in the case of Uromastyxs and all other herps in my opinion should never be used. |
Caging Provided: | The minimum size tank for one adult Mali is 32X18X18 but larger is always recommended. You can buy a commercial aquarium or build one yourself that is your own decision. |
Diet: | Herbivorous |
Description of Diet: | Uromastyx are strictly herbivores. The majority of their diet consist of dark leafy greens such as escarole, curly endive, and dandelion greens, avoid using kale, spinach, mustard, or turnip greens. Also an assortment or veggies can be added like squash, zucchini, carrot, and peas and green beans on a more limited basis. Edible flowers will also be readily accepted by your uro dandelion flowers, hibiscus, rose petals and some others but make sure they are pesticide free. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | I use rep-cal once a week and sprinkle a pinch worth over the greens I also use the multi-vitamins once a week in the same fashion. Gravid and young uro’s should be given calcium more regularly about two or three times a week. |
Maintenance: | These lizards are somewhat slobs and have a tendency of dragging their food all around their enclosure but if you clean their feces everyday the cage should stay clean. Also change the substrate regularly and once every 6 months clean cage furniture and cage, I use a 10%vinegar 90%water solution. |
Some Words on this Species: | Uromastyxs are not a beginner species and should only be kept by more advanced hobbyist, Their care is difficult to achieve and provide and vet bills can be expensive. I you do wish to get a uro do as much research as possible and read through the forums there is a good amount of quality info out their and it is your responsibility do find it. |
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