UROMASTYX LIZARDS
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 | Uromastyx is a genus of lizard found in parts of
Africa and the Middle East. There are several
species regularly offered in pet stores, and care
requirements for common species are very
similar. Uromastyx lizards come from very hot
places and need high temperatures to do well
as pets. In the wild these lizards live in burrows
and will do best if offered underground retreats.
This lizard is best suited for intermediate to
experienced keepers and is not recommended
for beginners.
- Common Name: Uromastyx Lizard
- Scientific Name: Uromastyx spp.
- Distribution: Throughout Northern Africa & the
Middle East
- Size: Species dependent: 8-24″
- Life Span: Species dependent:15-35+ yrs
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HABITAT |
- Juvenile Uromastyx need a minimum 20 gallon terrarium.
Juveniles can be housed together in a 30 gallon terrarium. - Adult Uromastyx need a minimum 40+ gallon terrarium.
- Provide plenty of hiding and basking places.
- Rocks, thick branches or Mopani Wood make excellent choices for
decorating your lizard’s habitat..
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HEATING | - Daytime Terrarium Temperature:
85-90° F. - Basking Spot: 98-115 °F.
- Nighttime Temperature: 75+°F.
- A nighttime drop in temperature
is natural and can be accomplished by turning off all
overhead heating devices, and
leaving a ReptiTherm® UTH on
24 hours per day. - Zoo Med’s Basking Spot Lamp,
PowerSun®, Repti Halogen™
and Ceramic Heat Emitters, are
good choices for heating
Uromastyx enclosures. - Provide a large rock directly
under the basking area to help
retain heat.
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LIGHTING | - UVB Lighting is essential for
Uromastyx to process calcium
in captivity. - Without UVB lighting and a proper diet, Uromastyx will develop serious health problems such as Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
- UVB Lighting should be left on
for 10-12 hours per day and
turned off at night. - Zoo Med’s ReptiSun® Linear
and Compact Fluorescent
Lamps are a great choice for
providing Uromastyx with UVB.
The PowerSun® is an excellent
way to provide both UVB and
Heat all in one lamp!
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SUBSTRATES | - 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®. - Excavator® Burrowing Clay
Substrate will allow you to create
a naturalistic terrarium complete
with burrows and tunnels for your
animals. Uromastyx live in burrows and will require underground retreats to provide security. - A mixture of Eco Earth® &
ReptiSand® or ReptiFresh® are
excellent choices of substrates
for Uromastyx species.
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NUTRITION | - Uromastyx are omnivorous reptiles that require a well balanced diet of both insects and plants. Although they will eat many different types of food,
plant matter should make up the bulk of their diet. - Juveniles will need to be fed pinhead to small size crickets daily along with other small insects such as mealworms. Zoo Med offers a variety of Can O’ insects and canned diets that will make offering a varied diet convenient.
- Collard or Dandelion Greens, Hibiscus flowers, Romaine lettuce and other veggies can be offered 1-2 times a week.
- Uromastyx will take vegetables and Zoo Med’s pelleted or canned Bearded Dragon Diet as a staple. Insects should be offered 2-3 times per week.
- Always remove uneaten insects after each feeding.
- ReptiCalcium® and ReptiVite™ with Vitamin D can be added to both live and plant foods as directed.
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