Apples...Are They Good for Uros

[PDDM]

Just asking,oh also what are all the other stuff thats bad for uros

[Kevin McRae]

You shouldn't feed lots of fruit but some is good, any leafy veggies you can buy at the store is fine(dont use spinach too much though).

Dandelion leafs are also good for them.

[PDDM]

K my cousin right now is feeding salad,carrot shreds and Red cabage and a lil of apple is that ok?

[Nicki]

Check out deerfernfarms for nutritional info. Here's their nutrition page: http://www.deerfernfarms.com/Food_Plants.htm

Also, in their care sheet they state that:

"Uromastyx are primarily herbivores, with a taste for insects on the side. Our primary diet is composed of live alfalfa (not the dry hay), bird's foot trefoil (an alfalfa relative we grow), dandelion greens and flowers, clover leaves and flowers, Bok Choy, Napa Cabbage (a Bok Choy relative, NOT a true cabbage), turnip greens, collard greens, and frozen mixed vegies (peas, cut green beans, carrots, corn, lima beans - all thawed before feeding of course). We supply other flowers when in season (mallow, hibiscus, violas (miniature Pansy), cats claw (a late-season dandelion-mimic), nasturtium, rose, pumpkin/squash).

Do NOT feed spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard, or cabbage, and limit broccoli, kale and collard greens. These either bind important nutrients or tend to induce metabolic problems over time. Peas have their faults as well but if you supplement with calcium and zinc, the benefits greatly out-weigh the potential harm."

These guys are the ultimate in uro care, and I trust what they say. Read their caresheet. Follow it as closely as possible.

Nicki

[Nicki]

Oh, also, here are a couple of lists of toxic foods. Don't feed ANYTHING to your uros unless you know it's ok!!!! (And that it is absolutely 100% free of pesticides and herbicides!!!!!!!)

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html
http://www.practical-pet-care.com/article_view.php?ver=3

Nicki

[PDDM]

thanks nicki :D...im gonna create another topic here in a sec

[PDDM]

Nvm ill post it here my cousins uro is living in a thirty gallon its pretty small though its a mali,its still the babyish colour hes had it for 6 months,its about 36 grams and 6.5- 7-8 inches long...is it not growing or something,he has the temps right and food right now,and has a hide...oh do uros shed???If so When???and when will the 30 gallon not be big enough????also it likes being in the cave alot,and does it need to be able to burrow?Its On Sand Now.

[Kevin McRae]

Uros do shed and he is probaly eating his skin, so you won't notice.He is probaly growing, you just don't notice it. You should upgrade his cage soon.

He might get stressed if he is not able to burrow.

I'm not a uro expert though.

[PDDM]

thx anyways

[Nicki]

I'd say, upgrade the cage now to at least a 4' x 2' base. He will be much more comfy with the space he needs to run around.

They definitely grow and shed, but a lot more slowly than many reptiles! They take about 4 years to become adult sized. So you won't see them shed as often. It comes off in chunks. Don't handle more than necessary while they shed, as they tend to be cranky and anti-social. I think it must be itchy or uncomfortable for them.

As far as burrowing, there are people who will claim that their uros are doing best on a soil substrate that they can burrow in. But you must be very careful and experienced to use this, as you have to make sure humidity stays low, and temps stay high. It's not an easy, beginner substate.

I (and many others) use washed playsand. My uros dig in the sand, though it doesn't hold a burrow. They still go into their caves and dig under there. I find it's a great substate... easy to clean their messes, and you just replace it every few months or so.

Make sure there are several hides for the uro to choose from, and also rocks for him to bask on under the lamp.

Do you have uv lighting as well?

[PDDM]

He has never seen any sign of it sheding he does have a UV bulb he has a tight beam 100W bulb(planing on150W)he uses the black sand substrate,he has one hide but uses a turtle decoration that is big enough for him to hide under on the hot side as a hide.And also uses a 30 gallon tank.