Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased a Uro as a gift to my lady. I am concerned on what it should be having for a diet. I have heard varying answers and was hoping someone could enlighten me a little more. I've been told that bird seed is enough but I have also found plenty of info saying vegies and beans are top choice.

Could someone post a good diet plan that I should be following w/ items that can be purchased from you regular grocery store.

Also, I have two lamps for the tank, 1 heat and 1 UV. I was told that the UV should be left on at all times and that the heat lamp should be turned off at night. Is this correct? It is fairly cool in my apartment (65-70F)which I suspect would be too cold at night.

Thanks very much!

Your best bet is to thoroughly read the deerfernfarms.com website, the link being at the top of the forum as they are one of the forum sponsors. It has everything a beginner needs to know. The best diet is fresh greens supplemented with calcium and vitamins. Some of the best greens are difficult to find in your local stores, so you may have to make a few phone calls to see about availability. One of the better food sources are turnip and dandelion greens, with other types added for a good variety. You will find that certain types should only be used sparingly as they bind calcium or cause other problems if fed too often. Your night temps are fine, as it can be cooler at night. Basking around 120 with the cooler side of the cage in the 80s. Cage at least four times the length of the animal and two times the width. Suggested starting size is 4x2x2. What type of uro did you buy, what age, etc? Good luck.

Pam

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2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.1.2 u. a. aegypticus (Zahra Urbi, Halima & Sagira)
0.1 u. geyri (Solar)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!

I believe it is a Niger Yellow. That is what was posted at the shop. He is approx 1 year old and about 6 inches from nose to the end of the tail.

I've read through the diet section from the site which you posted, the only problem is I don't know what half that stuff is.

"The first is fresh greens, comprised primarily of dandelion and clover greens and blooms (when in season), and endive from the grocery stores. Additionally we'll mix in live alfalfa (not the dry hay), bird's foot trefoil, Pok Choy leaves, Napa Cabbage (a Pok Choy relative, NOT a true cabbage), Romaine, turnip greens, and various wild plants and edible flowers (hibiscus/mallow, nasturtium, cats claw (a late-season dandelion-mimic), viola (Johnny jump ups), rose blooms, and bird's foot trefoil".

Could you point me in the right direction of where to find some of this stuff and which would be available at major grocery chains or at Greenhouses.

Thanx very much. I'll post some pics as soon as I get some batteries from my camera.

Also, what about items such as spinach, apples, peaches or other fruits?

Most major grocery stores will have napa, romaine, and endive in the produce section. The clover leaves and flowers are from your yard, as well as dandelion flowers. Birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa are used to make hay for horse feed, before it is dried. The only problem with using outdoor products is that you have to know that they are chemical free. I don't allow my husband to kill the dandelions or use any chemicals on what we laughingly refer to as our lawn as I feed the dandelions and clover when they are available. Fruits are used sparingly as too much sugar is not good for them. Spinach is one of the greens that should be used sparingly. You might have to go to a specialty (high end) grocery store for some of the greens. My local store does not carry turnip, dandelion, or mustard greens, so I have to go to the better store. You can always call some stores and talk to someone in produce to see what they have. I also use frozen, mixed veggies, which I thaw and chop up. Each uro has different tastes as to what they like and dislike, so you will just have to experiment. My sudanese are nuts over corn, carrots and peas and will throw everything out of their dish to find what they want, just like kids! Good luck.

Pam
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2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.1.2 u. a. aegypticus (Zahra Urbi, Halima & Sagira)
0.1 u. geyri (Solar)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!

You need more than just greens. You also need a seed bowl. It should provide multiple ingredients such as ground beans, bulgar, buckwheat, bee pollen, Iguana food, oat groats, barley, & other seed items.

>>Also, I have two lamps for the tank, 1 heat and 1 UV. I was told that the UV should be left on at all times and that the heat lamp should be turned off at night.

Just to clarify, all lights should be turned off at night. The temps in your home are just fine for night - they only need it hot and bright during the day.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Tank, Turtle, and Spike)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
2.1.2 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Felis domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Thanks very much for all the replies. I have been turning off both lights at night.

A couple other questions.

1) Should there be a set feeding time or should I just be putting food in the morning and leaving it till the end of the day?

2) My guy seems faily lethargic. He will be active for about 2-3 hours when I turn the lights on but then its off to bed for the rest of the day.

3) Should his beeding area be underneath the warm or cool side of the tank? Currently it is under the warm side which is making me think this is why he is always in it.

Thanx very much!