uromastyx care - Noah's Ark Pets
Common Name: Uromastyx
Scientific Name: Uromastyx maliensis
Range: Africa and the Middle East
Adult length: about 18”
Native Habitat: Arid desert areas or rocky areas
Longevity - Uromastyx live to be between 8 and 10 years of age in captivity.
Captive Environment: Uromastyx need a lot of heat, roomy enclosures and a varied diet to do well in captivity. Other considerations are substrate and adequate hide boxes. Uromastyx can be successfully maintained on alfalfa pellets or calcium carbonate sand. Provide a rocky basking area with crevices and caves, or a hide area. They need a roomy enclosure a 29 gallon aquarium is minimum for one adult. Uromastyx should be housed separately or in breeding pairs and if aggression is seen you should separate the animals. Males should not be housed together.
Temperature: Up to 115-120 F underneath the basking lamp with a cool area of about 85 F. Low temperatures may inhibit digestion. There are several methods for establishing the proper temperature range for your reptile. Using spotlights of variable wattage incandescent bulbs on the outside of the enclosure, under tank heaters or heat rocks or any combination of these. Never place lights inside the enclosure where the reptile could come in contact with them and get burned. When using spotlights for 24 hour heat, use red, night bulbs or a ceramic heating element to maintain day / night light cycle. Use a thermometer to ensure proper temperature range is maintained.
Lighting: Full-Spectrum lighting that emits UVB is a must for captive reptiles. Reptiles depend on ultra-violet light to synthesize vitamin D3, which regulates calcium absorption in the intestine. The light should be positioned less than 18" from your pet for maximum effect. Glass blocks ultraviolet light, and air circulation, therefore it should never be used as a top for the enclosure. A 12- hour day/ night lighting cycle is a good start for your pet reptile. Using a timer is the best way to ensure that the proper amount of light is received.
Diet: All adult Uromastyx are primarily herbivores, although some will eat the occasional cricket. A diet of dark leafy greens like Kale, Collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion etc. along with mixed frozen vegetables (corn, carrots, beans, broccoli, etc.) alfalfa pellets birdseed (occasionally), lentils and commercially produced iguana food. All greens, beans, and seeds should be rinsed of any possible pesticides. Soak beans and lentils to increase moisture. It is acceptable to leave drops of water on food as Uromastyx get most of their moisture from the foods they eat. Feeder insects can be offered once a week, and the food should be dusted at least once a week with multivitamin/minerals. A higher protein diet should be offered to growing hatchlings and juveniles. Do not leave an open water source in enclosure as this will raise humidity levels and may cause respiratory disorders.
NOTE: This care sheet is a general guide, to learn more about your pet consult a book about it.
