Uromastyx care sheet

Suffice it to say, they have a lot of personality and prove to be a very entertaining and rewarding pet lizard to own.

Cage

A mali uromastyx needs a minimum- 48 inches long by 18 inches deep by 18 inches tall -Cage.

Although a Uromastyx lizard is known to be a mainly terrestrial lizard in the wild, -easy to climb structures should be provided for exercise and entertainment.

A wild Uro would live in a very hot, very dry environment. Care needs to be taken to replicate as natural an environment as possible. As with most pet lizards, you need to create a temperature gradient, so the lizard can self regulate its temperature.

You can easily achieve this by putting the basking spot on one end of the Cage. The cooler side of the cage can get down to the low 80s, while the basking spot needs to hover around 120°. A temperature probe, or a temp gun is required so you can maintain different temperatures.

What's also needed, is two hides, one on the hot side-one on the cold. Its details such as these that enable your uro to reduce its stress as much as possible.

Lighting

Like most pet lizards, a Uromastyx needs a UVB light and a heat light. Some lizards need UVB light to effectively produce vitamin D3, which enables them to properly absorb calcium.

You also need to provide a light that produces heat. A mali uromastyx needs to warm up by basking in the sun (in this case -a light) in order for it to be able to digest its food.

A mercury vapor bulb produces UVB light in addition to heat. These can be a little bit more expensive, but some say worth it in the long run.

Whatever light you get, follow the directions on how far away your mali uromastyx needs to be to properly absorb the UVB, as well as the safe distances to ensure your pet Uro doesn't get too close to the light.

Food

A Uromastyx is a vegetarian. Even though a Uro might rarely eat a bug or two in the wild, studies have shown that for optimum health in captivity a strictly vegetarian diet should be offered.

You want their diet to be made up of 80% to 90% greens. Greens such as turnip greens, dandelion greens, collard greens and mustard greens. The other 10% to 20% can be made up of other vegetables and fruits. Acceptable items include: shredded bell peppers, carrots, Green beans and squash (cooked and allowed to cool). Fruits can include raspberries, strawberries and grapes (all cut up into small pieces -smaller than the width of its mouth).

A mali uromastyx also needs vitamin supplements. You want to use a vitamin powder once a week, and a calcium supplement three times a week. To make sure they ingest these supplements, sprinkle them on the salad/fruit you offer to your Uromastyx.

As far as water is concerned, a Uro rarely comes into contact with water in the wild. You might spray their salad with water, and give them a shallow bath once every two weeks. This should keep them from getting dehydrated. Putting a bowl of water in their cage could potentially raise the humidity levels to a dangerous rate. You probably want to get a device that measures the humidity level. And that level should be around 10%.

If you're planning on getting a Uromastyx, be sure and read three or four different care sheets. As your new pet will appreciate the greater knowledge you will attain in the proper care for the unique lizard known as the uromastyx.