Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question I'm hoping someone could answer.
I've had my uro for over 6 years and I'm wondering why it's never grown to a full adult size.
He's 4" from tip of mouth to base of tail and has a 2" tail. His width is 1 1/2".
Any ideas?
Thanks

First question is what kind of uro is it? And can you post pictures?

Can you describe the environment in which it lives? Temperatures throughout the cage and what kind of thermometer you measure with? Size of cage in inches? What kind of lighting/heat source(s) you use? Is there UVB on the cage? What do you feed it? Have you ever had a fecal sample checked for parasites? What does your vet think might be the problem?

The answers to these might help folks answer your question.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

His environment is the way it's suppose to be since I've had other uros and i've housed them all the same and never had a problem. He has the same housing as my other uros which is why I dont understand this problem. His cage I bought out of a catalog and it's specifically designed for an adult uro... It's 4' long, 2 1/2' deep and 2' wide. It has a basking spot on one side that is kept at 110 to 120 degrees. (Depending on if natural sunlight is shining in his cage that day.) The other side of the cage has a temp of about 100. He also has a shaded area under a hollowed out log that he loves... His basking spot as well as the rest of the cage is kept under UVB bulbs.

I measure the temps of his cage with a digital thermometer. The bulbs are kept on for 18 hours and off for 6 hours. The basking spot is a UVB spotlight that I bought at a pet shop for
reptiles... It's a directed light that has silver all around it except for where it's directed... Make sense? The other lights aren't spotlights but contain UVB, I put these on the other side of the cage so he gets UVB wherever he's sitting. I use slate under his basking spot and various other rocks throughout his cage. As I said in the cooler end of his enclosure he has a hollow half tree log that he sleeps under and this provides a nice area that is shaded. This I have found is a nice retreat when he needs to cool off. Again the temps - Under this log in the shade is a temp of 80 degrees. On top of this log and in the cooler end of the enclosure is a temp of about 100. His basking spot temp varies between 110 and 120. Its usually around 115, but gets up to 120 during the summer when the sun from outside is shining in his cage.

His bedding is a high quality juvenile iguana pellets which according to his droppings he eats occasionally. (This was recommended by my vet)

He has a balanced diet containing Kale, Collard & Mustard Greens are fed in limited amounts. He's fed bok choy, dandelion greens and blooms, endive (primary staple), escarola, fresh peas, green beans, lima beans and other legumes etc. Occasionally as a treat I give him romaine lettuce, but i'm careful this is not a staple of his diet, it provide a little water for him though. I try to keep everything fresh as opposed to frozen with the exception of the occasional dose of frozen peas if I dont have fresh at that moment in the house. I prefer to provide fresh veggies to ensure he gets all the vitamins possible. I also use a supplemental calcium powder every once in a while, (being careful he doesnt get excess calcium build up, as i have heard this is not healthy) as what i like to call an extra insurance policy. I also try to keep the optimal 2:1 Ca ratio in all the veggies i give him. I also use Miner-All sparingly once a week as a supplement. Periodically I place a cactus pad in the cage for nibbling (de-spined of course).

I've never had a fecal sample done, but my vet doesnt seem to know why he's so small since my vet knows i've had uros for a long time and ive cared for them all the same way...

The picture at the web site is what kind of coloring he has, i cannot post a picture since my digital is getting repaired...
Again the website address is

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3F_adv_prop%3Dimages%26imgsz%3Dall%26vf%3Dall%26va%3Duromastyx%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dybr_sbc

Hope this helps, thanks for your time!
Ashley & Rocko

The first thing that comes to mind is stunted growth in it's early age due to a combination of issues. Insufficient lighting, diet, temps, etc. Playing catch-up is difficult or even impossible after the initial deficiencies. Still, you need to provide much more info for anyone here to help you.
As long as it's healthy now, enjoy your "midget."!