Howdy,

So I understand that the issue of substrate is not entirely black and white in the uro world. I have done a lot of reading and many seem to agree that either millet or washed play sand can be good options. I think the breeder I got him (or her) from had them on large pellets as hatchlings.

I have a young ornate uromastyx and started him out on paper towels and flat rock slabs since many other options seemed dangerous when he was only about 1-2 months old (almost made the walnut shell mistake when I was new to uros). I'm wondering when and what do upgrade him to though.

I would go the millet route, but he LOVES to eat it (I throw in a few organic millet seeds a couple times a week and he will stop whatever he is doing and bolt for them), so I'm afraid he would go crazy with it (at least for a bit). He seems to ignore anything that looks like sand though, besides the occasional "tongue test" when exploring. Even if I grind up lentils, etc. to put by the greens, he won't notice it if it isn't moving and looks like sand.

So, maybe the washed play sand is a good option? At what age is it safest to introduce them to more than paper towels and rock slabs as substrate?

Thanks for any advice.

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