For newly acquired animals
New Uro's
When acquiring new Uromastyx always try to purchase captive breed from a reputable breeder. Captive breed Uromastyx do better in captivity, they have do not have any parasites and by purchasing captive breed you are not supporting harvesting from the wild and importation which many Uromastyx do not survive.
If you decide to establish breeding pairs of Uromastyx is the one time it is acceptable to purchase wild caught Uromastyx. Setting up Uromastyx breeding pairs or breeding projects is the one time it is acceptable to purchase wild caught Uromastyx as the goal in such situations is to establish breeding groups of Uromastyx that will produce captive breed hatchling Uromastyx and hopefully decrease or eliminate harvesting Uromastyx from the wild and importation.
If you are purchasing from a broker or a importer always make sure and meet them in person to hand pick your Uromastyx. If you can not meet with the broker or importer yourself then pay someone you trust to meet with them to hand pick them. It is worth it to pay a little more for a hand picked animal. You end up with a healthier better looking Uromastyx.
The main thing to avoid when acquiring wild caught Uromastyx is purchasing gravid females, It may seem like a good idea as there is a chance you could get eggs and produce hatchlings, but in reality wild caught gravid Uromastyx do not adjust well and quite often will not lay there eggs witch ends up killing them due to being egg-bound. If you get the chance to choose which wild caught Uromastyx you purchase it is suggested that you get young hatchlings or juveniles as they seem to adjust to captivity better. If you are purchasing adults look for ones of good weight that appear healthy. Check there vents for feces smear and stay away form ones with an unclean vent.
It takes 3-6 months for a Uromastyx to settle in. During this accumulation period do not handle the Uromastyx except to weigh it. If keeping in a glass enclosure cover all 4 sides. Feed your Uromastyx and clean it's cage before the lights go on in the morning and or off at night. Do not feed insects, this is the advantage of Uromastyx they do not require insects to be healthy. Feed a good diet of greens and edible flowers. Only dust with Miner All calcium supplement once to twice per month if at all. With proper diet and proper UVB they really do not need it. Keep a small bowl of uncooked (ground up) green peas, lentils, various beans and birdseed. Occasionally add pure bee pollen granules to the ground up green peas, lentils, various beans, birdseed mix. Do not offer the peas, lentils, various beans and birdseed if the Uromastyx is less than 6 months - 1 year old.
As far as acclimating Uromastyx;
House them separately. Make sure and provide an enclosure of at least a 2 Ft X 4 Ft enclosure for each Uromastyx.
Provide 120-140 degree basking and UVB lighting.
Cover any of the see through sides of the enclosure.
Here is an example picture of one of my covered enclosures.
Make sure there are hides under the basking spot and on the cool side of the cage.
Feeding a mix
of Spring Mix, Endive, Escarole, Dandelions, Dandelion Greens, Mustard Greens,
Turnip Greens, Collard Greens, Bok Choy, and some Kale. Also offer edible
flowers such as Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Dandelion, Cat's Ear, Birds Foot Trifoil,
Etc. Lightly dust their food with indoor version of Miner All calcium supplement
once to twice per month if at all. With proper diet and proper UVB they really
do not need it.
Keep a small bowl of uncooked (ground up)
green peas, lentils, various beans and birdseed. Occasionally add pure bee
pollen granules to the ground up green peas, lentils, various beans, birdseed
mix. Do not offer the peas, lentils, various beans and birdseed if the Uromastyx
is less than 6 months - 1 year old.
Weigh your Uromastyx every month to assure it is not
loosing weight.
It should steadily gain weight or at least maintain
weight once it gets used to its soundings.
I do not treat my Uromastyx for parasites, but many
people do. If you chose to treat your Uromastyx,
make sure and take a fresh fecal to a qualified veterinarian and let the
veterinarian test for parasites and follow veterinarian instructions for type of
medicine and dosage.
For me the secrete of acclimating Uromastyx is housing
them separately, providing proper cage size, lighting, and food.
Not
feeding any insects and not handling the Uromastyx except for cleanings and
weighing.
Click
here to return to home page
