Uromastyx Wut type of care do they need?

Question

OK i just bought a UROMASTYX lizard and i was wondring if any one has some extra tips for care. i have a 30 gallon cage, a heat rock and a heat light and sand and crickets. that is what the pet store told me is all i needed beside fresh veggies. but it seems like i need more and i would like some more information on them?

Answer 1

Uromastyx take almost they same care as beardies. You will need temps a bit higher at aroud 105-120 F, and something noone has yet to cover here. THEY ARE STRICT HERBIVORES. He will not eat those crickets you got. A good salad we prepare for our dragons and uro consits of collard greens, romaine lettuce, kale, and dandelion greens. With grated yellow squash, carrots, snow peas. He gets a big bowl of that daily and in that we include Rep-cal adult bearded dragon pellets for protien.



Besides that, lose the heat rock. Most lizards cant usually feel heat through their bellies and will burn themselves. Or you could just cut off the cord and get a very nice basking stone. And lose the particle substrate. Sand harbors bacteria, plus its just no fun to clean. I'd suggetst papwer towels or shelf liner. You can pick up shelfliner at most any grocery store or wal-mart. And its usually only $5.



Hope that helps. And check out the uromastyx forum on http://www.reptilerooms.com



Heres the uro forum

http://www.reptilerooms.com/forumview-29.html



Everyone one there would be glad to help you in any way possible. Contact me also if you need more assistance. Good luck with your new uro.

Answer 2

OH MY GOODNESS. You would actually buy an animal without knowing how to care for it???! You're gonna need a bigger tank for one, and and the people at this pet store you went to are full of crap. You need to do some research (and fast) before you decide to be in control of an animal's life. Try the internet, it is full of good reptile care sites.



And for the record, reptiles burn themselves and damage their skin when you use heat rocks because they can't feel localized heat. You need an under-tank heater and a basking lamp as well as a UVA and UVB bulb if you don't want an injured uromastyx.

Answer 3

www.petsmart.com/careguides



UVA/UVB lighting to help in the conversion of calcium into bone. This is neccessary. It will cost between $35-45



I would ditch the heat rock if you have a heat lamp. Reptiles have troubel regulating heat and have been known to scortch themselves on them. Get a cave for her to hide it and also to get out of the heat. A lot of people say that they are desert animals and should not have water or a hiding spot. but if you think about it, desert animals spend much of thier time hiding from the heat and looking for water, so why wouldn't you offer it. The humidity needs to be low to avoid bacterial growth in the tail, but not parched.



Parakeet seed. This should be sprinkled on the veggies to aid in digestion...kind of like how birds eat rocks to break up the food.



Cricket dust. A good vitamin supplimet/calcium supplement. dust the crickets and the veggies with this for more balanced nutrition.



I hope that helps, it should get you started, and i would purchase a book on them to a read up! Congrats on the new pet!

Answer 4

about the same care that a bearded dragon is ...GET RID OF THE HEAT ROCK... if u want to use it as a decoration then cut the cord use it under a heat lamp it will heat up naturally .. u need a UV light as well as the heat lamp if it's a baby or juvenile don't use Sand till they are at lease a yr old.. non particle substrate non inked paper, paper towel, reptile carpet etc.

Answer 5

lemonpuf has got it right. I have had hali ( my uromastyx.) for 5 yrs. She's an awesome pet. good luck w/ yours

Answer 6

desert terrain, like a bearded dragon almost. they are great pets. but you have to be pretty precise when it comes to their care. good luck.

Answer 7

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.exoticpetvet.com/images/Uromastyx%2520pair%2520mali%2520web%25201.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.exoticpetvet.com/breeds/iguanageckos1.htm&h=411&w=358&sz=197&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=4zLvih37Xp9M3M:&tbnh=125&tbnw=109&prev=/images%3Fq%3DUromastyx%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG



this has a very good care sheet 4 them