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#2268966
9D_OE
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NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!! 
So i just got a new uro from a friend who wasnt taking care of it right. Idk how old it is or any onfo on the type of uro or sex. They were feeding it bird feed and have a mulch type bedding. But thats not the problem. The problem is, he/she keeps changing collor threw out the day! One hour he/shes bright yellow, the next he/she is brown and at times dark brown and just ugly. How do i get hi /her to stay that beautiful bright yellow?! Please help!! Any advice will do! This is my firs uro by the way!
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06/06/12 01:18am
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#2268995
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2268966
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Welcome. Get yourself over to UroWiki (google it) and read through everything. Until then do the following:
-Remove the mulch asap. You can replace it temporarily with a non particulate substrate like newspaper or paper towel. Do this now until you have time to plan for a more suitable substrate.
-Ensure it has proper temperatures. This is the reason behind the changes in color and is one of the most crucial aspects of husbandry. You need to provide a basking temperature of around 120f as well as a temperature gradient within the enclosure/tank that allows for a cool end in the mid to high 80’s. This will allow the animal to properly regulate it’s body temperature. If you don’t have these items already you will need to acquire them straight away:
•Digital thermometer/hydrometer
•Temp Gun
•Basking bulb (this can be a standard indoor/outdoor halogen or a mercury vapor bulb--more below)
•Basking platform (this should consist of something that will retain heat like a flat stone, paver or tile)
•Two hides areas (one on the cool end, one on the warm end)
-Diet: Get yourself a head of curly endive and or escarole for now. Read up on UroWiki for further info on diet.
-Enclosure: this is something that may need adjusting assuming the current enclosure isn’t large enough (they almost never are). They require, at the very least, a 40gal breeder.
-Lighting: Uromastyx should have access to an adequate UVB source in order to properly process vitamin D3. You can provide your new animal this in a few ways. Aside from the sun two of which are readily available to the average keeper. This is something that should be a priority.
•Mercury Vapor (MVB): These bulbs can be found at most local pet shops and are one of the better forms of UVB for reptiles. These bulbs create both UVB and heat output. They must be mounted within a reasonable distance (usually around 15-24") and cannot be positioned at an angle nor disturbed while on, which would shorten the bulbs burn life. I prefer ZooMed’s PowerSun MVBs at the moment, which you may find at a local pet shop or online (Amazon).
•10.0 or 12.0 UVB fluorescent: Like MVBs these bulbs are also easy to find. Although they generate UVB they are quite different from MVB bulbs. These bulbs do not create heat, at least not enough to provide proper basking temps so you will definitely need an additional basking bulb (you may with an MVB as well). These bulbs also have a significantly shorter working distance of, for the most part, somewhere in the 8-12" range. If you go the route I would suggest, in this order, Arcadia 12% t5 HO with HO fixture, Arcadia 12% t8, Arcadia 10% t8, ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0 t8. You can find the Arcadia bulbs at lightyourreptiles.com and the ZooMed ReptiSun bulbs at most pet shops or online.
That’s about all I can think of that will help you immediately. Until then you could copy and paste the questionnaire in the ’PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING’ thread into this thread and answer each question as it appears. Could you also post some pictures of the current setup as well as the uro itself? One last thing--Try to handle the uro as little as possible from here on out; it will cut down on stress levels which are already probably very high due to the move.
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06/06/12 10:48am
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#2269006
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2268995
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Actually if you have an instagram you can check mine out @9D_OE because I have an iPad so i cant upload photos on here. But he actually likes like just lay on my chest and fall asleep. But thank you soooo much. I went to petco and a reptile certified employee helped me out and told me everything you just did so i know he was on point with his knowing of uros. Thank you so much for your advice though.
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06/06/12 12:20pm
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#2269007
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269006
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
I don’t have instagram but you should be able to upload to flickr and post/link from there. As for lying on your chest, while you may think it enjoys it what you’re seeing may actually be stress related--it’s very easy to get the two confused. Remember, these are reptiles that love heat...+100*f heat, surely your chest isn’t that hot ;) As for petco and their reptile "certified" employees, I would be extremely careful trusting them. While some may actually know what they’re talking about I’d venture to guess most have no clue, only what upper management tells them. They often push supplies that should never be used for any animal just to make sales and clear stock. What, may I ask, was recommended to you?
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06/06/12 12:29pm
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#2269025
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269007
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Well he had his certification upfront so I know he wasnt lying. But he recommended a bigger tank, more compacting sand so he can burrow without there being a high chance of impactation, better light, better foods and where to get them and how to serve them. How often to handle him/her without causing to much stress and signs of stress.
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06/06/12 02:58pm
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#2269026
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269025
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
I did not mean to insinuate that he was lying, rather that his training may be lacking due to learning from the wrong sources. Chain pet stores like petco and pet smart are notorious for teaching their employees incorrect information which is then passed down to thousands of potential pet owners.
Can you give me specifics as to what he recommended in regards to housing, lighting, substrate and diet? Try to be as detailed as possible. I just want to make sure you’re on the right track.
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06/06/12 03:12pm
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#2269038
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269026
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
He said to use about a 75-110 watt bulb depending on how far away the lamp is from the animal and the tank size, he said to feed it greens like kale, turnips, mustard, all the basic foods ive been listed on every other website. And for substrate he said a sand, but a sand that compacts so he can burrow and it wont fly around as much when the uro runs threw his cage so theres less of a chance of imcompaction. And he said for a tank to get anything of 40 gallons or up.
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06/06/12 04:36pm
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#2269045
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269038
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
He made no mention at all about UVB? There is much more that goes into choosing a bulb than ’use a 75-110 watt bulb’. As for the diet items he suggested it’s important to note that kale, turnip and mustard greens should all be limited--Personally I choose not to feed them at all due to their chemical/nutritional composition and the fact that there are superior greens available. Greens such as escarole, curly endive and dandelion greens are much better staple food items. He also recommended sand, but it sounds like he neglected to tell you that certain sands should be avoided, like Calci Sand or sand comprised of silica. Both of these can kill your uro.
Again, check out UroWiki if you want reliable information in regards to your uro.
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06/06/12 05:20pm
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#2269065
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269045
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
By cqli sand do you mean calcium sand or sand from california? And i had already had the light bulb i usually buy for my iguana in my hand and he said thats what he would recommend. But where can i find escarole, curly endive and dandelion greens?
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06/06/12 06:39pm
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#2269073
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269065
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Calci Sand is calcium sand, often pushed by brick and mortar pet shops to unsuspecting keepers. A UVB bulb used for an iguana compared to one used for a desert species of lizard will not be interchangeable as desert species will require higher UVB output. Refer to the UVB bulbs I recommended earlier--this is a necessity. As for where to find produce, I’m not sure where you’re located but most supermarkets around me carry at least one of the three mentioned greens at any one time and usually more than one. As far as I know they are widely available.
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06/06/12 07:03pm
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#2269075
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269073
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Why should kale and turnip greens be limited? And the cover on the box of the light bulb has a pic of a uro. And why is the calcium sand band for them? And where can i get those bulbs your talking about and how much are they?
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06/06/12 07:15pm
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#2269082
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269075
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Rather than explaining all of that to you I would suggest heading over to UroWiki--you will find all the answers to your question plus any additional info there. Trust me on this.
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06/06/12 08:37pm
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#2269125
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269082
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Didnt sqy anything about not feeding them kale often, but i went to zoomeds.com and got a caresheet from there.
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06/07/12 12:19pm
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#2269133
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269125
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Kale is NOT a good base/staple diet regardless of what some care sheets say. It is very high in goitrogens which can induce hypothyroidism. Again, UroWiki is one of the best (if not THE best) caresheets for uromastyx to date. If you wish to ignore this that’s up to you, but just know your newly acquired uro is going to be the one suffering for it.
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06/07/12 01:50pm
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#2269162
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269133
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
So Im only feeding him turnip greens now...and now hes eating his substrate...i removed it and put shredded paper till i get excavator. What should i feed him?
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06/07/12 09:14pm
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#2269166
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269162
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
No offense but I’ve told you what to feed and where to look for a complete list of proper diet items several times now. You should not be feeding turnip, mustard or kale greens as staple food items. Google ’UroWiki’ and read the ’List of Food’ page thoroughly. While you’re there read every other page as well.
Also, remove the shredded paper and use in-tact pieces of newspaper or paper towel instead--you don’t want the uro accidentally ingesting it.
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06/07/12 09:37pm
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#2269183
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269166
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Well everyyyyyy website says to feed them that. Hes doing perfectly fine now that i changed his substrate to shredded paper, put a background and bocked vision from the sides of the tank, and bought a floresant uvb lamp.
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06/08/12 02:58am
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#2269204
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269183
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
If that’s the case you may as well start feeding insects, too, since most care sheets recommend it. Just know that you came here for help, you received it but neglected to follow a single word of it--you know better, apparently.
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06/08/12 10:23am
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#2269262
Sie fat uro
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269204
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Wow keep a cool on it you ain’t doing no good with that attitude... As for diet curly endive ( or frisee ) raddichio lambs lettauce water cress rocket are all good food items to rotate in their diet but main endive radicchio and one other are food for the staples and others can be rotated round or added monthly garden peas, and sugar snaps can be given as treats every two weeks or so. Butternut squash and carrot can be diced or shredded onto their greens as well as a sprinkling of different types of lentils eg red green split peas millet seed. Some flowers such as clovers dandylions and roses can be fed and deer fern farms has quite a usefull list of Uro edible Ones which can be offered as treats hope that clears up the food related issues...
on a side note kale mustard greens and romaine are best not to feature to heavily in the diet but can be added weekly as part of the rotation
The lighting issues are to do with the uv output of your bulbs if you are using one of the tube fittings it should be rated at between 10.0 and 12.0 ( arcadia are a good make but im sure others can give you equally sufficient ones) otherwise the Uro will not be recieving high enough levels for the Uro to utalise the calcium in their diet otherwise there is a risk of them acquiring metabolic bone desease MBD a nasty desease which is basically a calcium deficiency and means bones become weak and deform another thing related to that Are supplements, some people balance the individual compounds themselves to best suit their animals but a general reptile herbivore suppliment will suffice if given weekly sprinkled lightly over greens. most people here use MVB bulbs ( mercury vapour bulbs ) which provide both heat and uv but I personally don’t use them so can’t give you much more info on them hope that covered most of your queries
Lewis
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06/08/12 07:12pm
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#2269277
Deadlyconfetti
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269007
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
I wanted to point out that yes you have to be VERY careful about speaking to pet store employees, a good example is... I go to one pet store about an hour and a half away from me because the reptile guy there has pretty good knowledge of most reptiles, but on the off day you catch some of the other employees have NO IDEA what they are talking about, for example i was told by the young kid working that day that if your uro is acting slow to give him insects to liven him up and also i was told if they are having a bad shed to soak them in water!!! which im sure everyone here will tell you is a BAD idea, so it all depends on who you get always double check what you hear and then re check that, this is probably the best site, the people on here for the most part know what they are talking about Vers for example helped me a TON and pointed me in the right direction when i rescued the uros i have. So yeah just recheck everything it helps!!!
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06/08/12 08:12pm
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#2269279
Vers
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Message To: Sie fat uro In reference to Message Id: 2269262
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
I suppose it’s how you read it but I think it’s important to note that I hadn’t lost my cool...not by any stretch. The fact of the matter is I took time to provide solid recommendations (repeatedly) that were just simply discarded by someone who asked for help. Even after said recommendations were given the OP came back with the same exact questions only to ignore my responses again. How many times should I repeat myself before I’m taken seriously?
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06/08/12 08:40pm
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#2269281
Deadlyconfetti
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269279
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Yes i hear that, im sure you repeating ur self a 1000 times is rather stressing BUT you have to look at it from the point of view with the ppl ur helping, we all look for your advice.. well i know i do lol. I think a lot of ppl too are computer stupid and dont really know how to go into the different threads... it took me a moment how to figure it out as well. but my point you give great advice! i take ur advice over the vet i went to ... never going to her again...
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06/08/12 08:59pm
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#2269358
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269279
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
The reason i dont follow youre advice is because sooo many websites have told me the same thing, and then you tell me the complete opposite and ,y uro suddenly starts going back to being brown and hiding. I did stop the kale though incase. And i got him a uva bulb for basking and uvb for the calcium poopie head.
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06/09/12 02:43pm
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#2269376
Vers
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269358
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
What you don’t seem to understand is that soooo many websites preach inaccuracies. Not only have you repeatedly ignored my advice in regards to diet but also in regards to nearly every thing else I’ve said (lighting, heating, substrate). Do some research on the effects kale, mustard and turnip greens have on reptiles and you will soon realize which advice is more sound. I’m trying to help you here and all you seem to want to do it disagree with me only to ask the same questions over and over as if my answers will adapt to fit your idea of what you think is right. The truth is the sooner you trust me (more importantly UroWiki) the sooner your animal will receive the care it needs to thrive.
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06/09/12 05:40pm
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#2269392
9D_OE
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269376
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
I did listen to lighting advice. But the substrate i dont need to cause he likes the shredded paper out of everything else that hes been in, and hes even burrowing now which he wasnt before. And the diet, i cant find anything else anywhere so i guess im fucked with that.
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06/09/12 08:47pm
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#2269395
9D_OE
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Message To: Sie fat uro In reference to Message Id: 2269262
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Is it neccesary to put a night light in as well? Like one of those black bulbs for reptiles that are made for the night time. Or does it not matter?
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06/09/12 08:58pm
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#2269404
Deadlyconfetti
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Message To: 9D_OE In reference to Message Id: 2269395
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Hi.
I think it depends on how warm your house is at night, my uros terrarium sits around the high 70 - 83 depending on the temp inside, i do not have an UTH (not sure if they need one let me know if i am wrong), I do have a black light at night but i think that is more for my benefit than theirs as im not real sure at how much heat it really puts out.
But i am sure you will get a better response from someone else =)
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06/09/12 10:17pm
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#2269408
Vers
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Message To: Deadlyconfetti In reference to Message Id: 2269404
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
Uros should receive a fairly regular photoperiod (day and night cycle) of around 12-14 hours of daylight during warmer months. During a night cycle they should be exposed to no light at all in order to maintain a regular sleep schedule. This includes the use of infrared and blue bulbs. If you find you need supplemental heat to keep temps within reason using a ceramic heat emitter would be an ideal choice. As for black lights, depending on what type it is, they can cause serious eye damage in reptiles and other animals and should be generally avoided. Run a Google search for Melissa Kaplan’s article on black lights and reptiles for more detail.
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06/09/12 10:42pm
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#2269418
Deadlyconfetti
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Message To: Vers In reference to Message Id: 2269408
NEW TO UROMASTYX’S!! PLEASE HELP!!
See told you you would get a better answer! i guess my black light is going in the garbage! or i will put it in my sons room lol
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06/10/12 01:27am
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