I have my two small Mali's and a small ornate (all captive bred)in a 4' by 5' cage with about 18" of dirt. I live on the edge of woods so I went out to the edge and started digging, loaded into a wheelbarrow and hauled it into the cage.(many loads). I left the small stones, roots, grass clumps, weeds in the dirt and packed it down real good. I figured if it's good enough for chipmunks, rabbits, and ground hogs burrows, it should be good for uromastyx burrows. The humidity in the cage is about 50% - 60%. I don't have the cage ventilated because it's in the basement and it's hard enough to keep the temps up. They are extremely active, eat all the time, and have burrows dug that they go in and out of all day long. There are several basking sites with several levels for them to choose. Since I put them on the dirt I have noticed them growing, I don't have to weigh them. I notice they eat more, and they shed easily. I don't know if this is because of the dirt or not but I can certainly see that it is not hurting them. another thing I did was I put about an inch of play sand on top of the dirt so that the area they walk on is dry and I think it helps hold the moisture in the dirt. I am sold on the dirt. I am in the process of rebuilding my adults cage with the dirt set up.

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Rick

1.1.2 Mali's

0.1.0 Nigerian

0.0.1 Ornate

137 lb. Male German Shepherd named Sabbath. Don't come knocking on my door unless you have an extra pair of skivies.

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