What substrate is best for uromastyx?

Uromastyx live in arid, sandy places in the wild and will do well on a variety of sand-type substrates in captivity. They prefer a mixture of sand and soil that will allow them to burrow. Hatchling Uromastyx will do best on Cage Carpet such as Zoo Med’s Eco Carpet or Vita-Sand®.

What is bird seed for uromastyx?

Uromastyx are unique in their preference for small seeds such as millet and lentils. Lentils are easily sprouted using a damp wash cloth. Dry lentils can be offered as well, and are generally eaten with equal enthusiasm. Some owners opt to feed a pellet based diet in addition to the dark leafy greens.

Is sand bad for uromastyx?

Note that although Uromastyx are a desert-dwelling reptile, they do not do best on sand substrate. In the wild, they are mostly found on rocky outcrops and clay-based soils. Calci-sand should absolutely not be used. Also avoid ground walnut shells, as they can cause horrible impactions and corneal scratches.

Is bird seed a good substrate for uromastyx?

Another substrate option that works well for uromastyx is millet. Millet is a grain seed that is sold as bird seed. When you use loose substrate of any kind, you’ll need to scoop feces out of the terrarium regularly.

How much substrate does a uromastyx need?

On the cool side, you can have loose substrate, such as play sand mixed with clay/topsoil and topped with rocks. To allow your uromastyx to dig, add loose substrate to make it at least 6-8 inches (15-20cm) high. In the wild, they dig up to 4-6 feet (121cm-183cm) under the substrate and even more!

Can I use coconut fiber for uromastyx?

Most uromastyx in the wild are found on rock outcrops and not on pure sand. Mix around 40% sand and 60% soil. Instead of topsoil you can also use pure soil without plant food, or soil for reptiles like this. Avoid using coconut coir (fiber) as it’s better suited for higher humidity requiring reptiles.

What supplements do uromastyx need?

It is needed to supplement your uromastyx’s food with calcium and vitamin dustings to provide additional nutrients. Dusting your greens with calcium during every feeding is needed for a uromastyx. Multivitamin dustings are recommended every 1-2 weeks.

Can uromastyx eat birdseed?

Uromastyx lizards love to eat seeds. I use dry lentils straight from the grocery store shelf, as well as small bird seed mixes containing safflower, grass seeds, etc. I avoid sunflower seeds, in case their pointed shells could do some damage internally. Many seeds are also easily sprouted, which uros find irresistible.

How do you tell if your uromastyx is impacted?

Impaction (Intestinal Blockage): This condition is almost always caused by the ingestion of foreign objects or sand. Symptoms include: loss of appetite and inability to produce stools. Uromastyx exhibiting these symptoms should be seen by a veterinarian right away.

Is millet good as substrate for Uromastyx?

Millet has been used a lot as substrate for uromastyx tanks. That’s because it’s loose and allows digging, and won’t cause impaction if ingested. However, millet is not good as substrate for uromastyx because most will eat millet and fill their stomach with it, ignoring other food.

What is the best substrate for a uromastyx lizard?

Paper towels are cheapest and safest substrate for all lizards. You should definitely consider having paper towel as the substrate in the portion of the tank for an adult uromastyx. However, you should keep a baby uromastyx entirely on paper towels until it reaches 3-4 months old.

How do you take care of a baby Uromastyx?

However, you should keep a baby uromastyx entirely on paper towels until it reaches 3-4 months old. After that, you can add burrowing substrate in the tank. This will help avoid any ingestion and impaction. Playsand mixed with topsoil for aeration is a great burrowing substrate.

Can You Keep plants in a uromastyx enclosure?

This low humidity also tends to make keeping live plants in the uro enclosure more of a challenge! Uromastyx love heat, and although they like their basking spot to be over 120 degrees, the rest of the tank needs to have a temperature gradient of 100 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.