Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We just got a baby Uro, and after reading so much about them, we have a few questions.

1. He eats crickets like crazy. But, after reading that we should only feed him crickets once a week, we have stopped. He does not eat the greens. Its only been a few days, should we be patient?

2. He isnt too active. He spends all of his time in his hide cave in his basking area. Is this normal?

3. He hasnt pooped yet. Its been 3 days.

Any help would be great. thanks!

Personally, I would suggest getting him off the crickets entirely, but if you really want to feed them, first wait until he's eating greens regularly, then make it once every two weeks or so (and only a few bugs).

It can be normal for them to be reclusive for the first little while - hide and not eat salad. Be patient with him so he can get used to his surroundings. Don't handle him until he's well established. If for some reason you just feel like something's wrong - get him to a vet. It's better to do so unnecessarily than to wait too long.

One thing you can do to make sure it's just an acclimatization issue is double check your temperatures with a reliable thermometer - an infrared or digital probe thermometer. If the temperatures aren't right, it can stop them from coming out or eating, even if they would otherwise be ready to do so. Basking temps at least 120F (very slightly less might be ok if he's very tiny), warm side temps around 100F, cool end around 85F.

Also, what are you offering him to eat? And how large is your enclosure (LxWxH)? No pooping, so I assume no fecal check yet?
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
2.1.2 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Felis domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

We probably have been handling him a bit too much. We thought it would be a good idea to socialize him early, but it seems like we may be hurting him instead of helping.

We have made him food out of romaine lettuce, dandelion stem/leaves, carrots, cucumbers, apples... he tasted it one night, but didnt seem to eat it. I am going to try sprinkling bee pollen on there, to see if it stimulates his appetite.

The bad news is, he will be in a 10 gallon for a week or so, until we get our bigger tank. I know his basking spot is 105 or so, and we are trying to find a light strong enough to get it higher. He tends to spend all of his time UNDER the cave that is in his basking spot.

I'm having the same issues with my little saharan as well. I have been giving him nice salads full of variety and he tastes it and that's all. He did eat them right out of my hand the first few days I had him and then stopped. He has barely eaten anything in 1 week. The last real meal I seen him have was two crickets which he immediately enjoyed and went crazy for. So, I'm just going to wait it out, leave him alone and see what happens.

I thought I would mention (hopefully gexy is reading this). The colours in him have gotten a lot brighter in the past few days. He's more yellow on his head and on his back. It's unreal. He's got everything he needs...130F Heat, UV, Hides, Cool end, everything. Ah well, we'll see.

Peace