Uros and monitors are more closely related than Uros and tortoises. No doubt. But tortoises and Uros do share very similar ecological niches, wehreas monitors have chosen a very different niche.

So a high degree of convergence should be expected between Uro and tortoise nutrition. And since tortoises are still reptiles, they should serve as a way better model than a more closely related carnivore.

All available research on Uro nutrition strenghtens this hypothesis.



And there is a lot out there to read. Just read yourself through a few of these papers. I guarantee, it helps you in understanding the biology of vegetarian desert reptiles.



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Allen, Mary E., and Duane E. Ullrey. (1995)Calcium, phosphorus, and Vitamin D in reptile nutrition. Proceedings of the Twentieth Annual Symposium 1995 DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS p. 62.

Avery, Harold W., and Todd C. Esque. (1996) Nutritional research of the desert tortoise: synopsis of a workshop. (abstract) Proceedings of the Twentieth Annual Symposium 1996 DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS p. 49.

Baer, David J., and Olav T. Oftedal. (1995)Effect of temperature and diet composition on nutrient utilization in herbivorous reptiles. Proceedings of the Twentieth Annual Symposium 1995 DESERT TORTOISE COUNCIL PUBLICATIONS pp. 54-57.

Barboza PS. (1995) Digesta passage and functional anatomy of the digestive tract in the desert tortoise (Xerobates agassizii).

J Comp Physiol . ;165(3):193-202



Bentley, A., Toddes, B. & Wrigth, K. (1997) Evolution of Diets for Herbivorous and Omnivorous Reptiles at the Philadelphia Zoo: From Mystery Toward Science Proceedings/NAG;1-9



Berry KH, Christopher MM.(2001) Guidelines for the field evaluation of desert tortoise health and disease.

J Wildl Dis. Jul;37(3):427-50.



Christopher MM. (1999) Physical and biochemical abnormalities associated with prolonged entrapment in a desert tortoise.

J Wildl Dis. Apr;35(2):361-6.



DENNERT, C.(2003) Ernährung von Landschildkröten, Münster (NTV)



DEVENDER, Th. Van (Ed.)(2002) The Sonoran Desert Tortoise Natural History, Biology, and Conservation, Tucson

Dirk, F. (1996)Dornschwänze der Gattung Uromastyx im Terrarium; DATZ; 498-500



Fowler, 1980.Comparison of respiratory infection and Hypovitaminosis A in Desert Tortoises in: R.J.Montali und G Migaki (HRSG): The comparative pathology of Zoo animals; Smithsonian Institution press, Washington; D.C.93-97

Gray, R. (1995) Captive husbandry of ornate spiny-tailed lizards. Reptiles Magazine Vol. 3 (3): 64-77.

GRAY, R. L.(2003) Desert Lizards: Captive Husbandry and Propagation, Malabar



Hailey A. (1998)The specific dynamic action of the omnivorous tortoise Kinixys spekii in relation to diet, feeding pattern, and gut passage.

Physiol Zool. Jan-Feb;71(1):57-66.



Kohel KA, MacKenzie DS, Rostal DC, Grumbles JS, Lance VA. (2001) Seasonality in plasma thyroxine in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii.

Gen Comp Endocrinol. Feb;121(2):214-22.



Küppers-Heckhausen, C. (1993) Zur Lebensweise des Indischen Dornschwanzes; DATZ; 572-574



MCARTHUR, S.: (1996) Veterinary Management of Tortoises and Turtles, London

Mendelssohn, H. and A. Bouskila. (1989) Comparative ecology of Uromastyx aegyptius and Uromastyx ornatus in Southern Israel and in Southern Sinai. Synopsis from the World Congress of Herpetology. September 1989 at Univ. of Kent, Canterbury, U.K

MEYER, M.L2001)PraxisRatgeber Schildkrötenernährung, Frankfurt am Main; Ed. Chimaira



NRC. 1987. Vitamin Tolerance of Animals. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, National Research Council, Washington D.C



ORTLEPP-SCHUMACHER, E. & R. SCHUMACHER: (1988)Uromastix acanthinurus

BELL 1825 - Nachzucht der Afrikanischen Dornschwanzagame; Sauria 4 ; 17-19



PFLUGMACHER, S(1984) Über die Haltung des afrikanischen Dornschwanzes - Uromastyx acanthinurus; Sauria4; 33-34



Richter, E. (1966)Uromastyx acanthinurus 13½ Jahre in Gefangenschaft; DATZ; 25-27



Schmidt W. Meyer M., Jasser-Häger I., Vinke S. (2003) Artgerechte Ernährung von Landschildkröten;DATZ; 60



Thatcher, T. (1990) The reproduction in captivity of the North African spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx acanthinurus, British Herpetological Society Bulletin 40:9-13.

Uva B, Vallarino M, Mandich A, Isola G. (1982) Plasma aldosterone levels in the female tortoise Testudo hermanni Gmelin in different experimental conditions.

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1982 Jan;46(1):116-23.



Voigt WG, Johnson CR. (1976) Aestivation and thermoregulation in the Texas tortoise, Gopherus berlandieri.

Comp Biochem Physiol A. Jan;53(1):41-4

Wheeler, S. Captive reproduction and neonate husbandry of the spiny-tailed Agama, Uromastyx acanthinurus. IN Proceedings of the 14th International Herpetological Symposium (ed) A. Zulich, pp 35-38.

Wiesner CS, Iben C. (3003) Influence of environmental humidity and dietary protein on pyramidal growth of carapaces in African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata).

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). Feb;87(1-2):66-74.



WILMS, T. & F. HULBERT(1995) Das Portrait: Uromastyx princeps O'SHAUGHNESSY Sauria 03;1-2



WILMS, T. (1995): Uromastyx acanthinura BELL Sauria Suppl;333-334

Wilms, T. (2001) Dornschwanzagamen, Lebensweise Pflege Zucht; Herpeton Verlag