Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi again, I have additional questions. Is a 20 gal enclosure ok for a 5-6 inch Uro? Its in a 20 gal now and seems fine with it. Should it be on sand or paper? If paper is used, how long should the Uro be when sand is introduced/re-introduced? It is on sand now and seems to be ok with it, any health reason why it can't stay on sand?

Thanks for all the feeding advice, I actually have that part down now, due to your earlier posts.

Some people claim to be able to keep a good temp gradient in a 20 long, but I have enough trouble with the one 40-breeder I still haven't replaced. If it were me, I'd get something bigger - it's just much easier to assure you have a safe gradient in a larger cage. You might consider just going for it and getting his adult sized cage (4' x 2' is excellent) - he'll definitely appreciate the space to run and you won't have to replace another intermediate sized cage later.

As for substrate, I'd lean toward paper towel. Particulate substrates are safer after 6".
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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)

I agree with Torey, but just in case (like many of us) you can't jump right up to a 4x2x2, I would say a 40 gallon breeder is a minimum size.

As for sand, the breeder I went through said to keep them on paper toweling until they were 6 months to a year. I believe this has to do with a number of factors, the big one being they are so small before that that eating sand could really hurt them. However it can also be very abrasive on their skin, and makes it difficult to make sure they are having regular...err... bowel movements of the right consistency, etc. The second 2 points may just be my paranoia though. lol.

Definitely get a bigger tank though, your Uro will love you for it.

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
Madison, Wisconsin

I'd say a 20 gallon is OK for the moment but, if conditions are right, it'll outgrow the tank in a matter of months. May as well make preparations now for a much larger enclosure. We don't use aquariums but have settled on 48Lx18Hx22D enclosures & the Uros seem to do fine within those dimensions.

Thanks again.. I will probably use the 20 gal for about 1-3 months. I am in the process of having an enclosure built for my frilled dragon, as soon as that's complete and he wakes up, I'll have a 50 breeder for the Uro. I currently have a 55 gal set up, but no place to put it, due to the height. LOL I'm kinda short so being able to reach the uro to feed him might be a good idea.