Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So recently i have been having trouble with my Uro hiding ALL the time. It has been going on for a few months. I have talked to several people on a couple forums and everyone says that i am doing everything right by his set up and that its just normal uro behavior and to just wait it out. But its been months and he is still hiding all the time. So i was wondering...do you think it could possibly be because he doesnt have a substrate he can burrow in so he feels insecure? He has lots of hiding spaces but nothing he can burrow in....

I was thinking maybe i should switch him to a substrate that he can burrow in....what do you guys think? And if i do, what should i use? I have heard of using seed...but im not entirely sold on the idea, i use aspen shavings with my snakes...would they be ok? What substrates do you use and have sucsess with?

Just to run down his set up real quick...

He is in a 40gallon breeder tank with a basking spot of 120degrees (measured by a digital thermometer, a Repti-sun 10.0 UVB bulb that is almost six months old (I need to order a new one this week). He has tons of hiding and climbing spots. His diet consists of a variety of dark leafy greens, millet seed, rep=cal iguana pellets, bean mix (ground up). He gets calcium and multivitamin supplements, as well as bee pollen granules every so often. (Although honestly, he doesnt eat a whole lot lately so im not sure how much he is getting...sometimes i dont see him for days).

Should i be adding something? Please help...i really am not sure that this is all normal behavior.

Thanks!

Mim
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
2.1 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo,Jeffrey Nothing, Louise)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
1.0 Blood Red Corn (Virus)
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Scuttle)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

The first question that comes to mind, is he WC? If so, often times there can be a very lengthy acclimation period.
Even seemingly happy CBs can go through periods of malcontent for reasons that seem to come out of nowhere.
The good news is that they almost always snap out of it given that their stress levels are kept to a bare minimum.
Uros are tougher than nails. If you'll provide them with what they need, chances are excellent that, in time, they'll respond & thrive.

ok- everyone talks about cycling/brumation in captivity but not much is said about these behaviors in the wild. A huge "cue" to brumation is food availability- the wild uros basically assess how much energy is spent to procure food versus the actual benefit of such avaiable food. "cost" outweighs benefit? they stay in. On a cold rainy day if I had to walk a mile to McDonalds for one cold french fry and then walk a mile home, i think i'd go to bed hungry and worry about it tomorrow. This is something like what they do. Now- in the winter- grocery store produce is at its lowest nutritional value. Also they know the sun is not out. I would also recommend not ordering that tube, but instead a 100 watt active uv(westron) from megaray, t-rex, or wild inside. It will provide more usable uvb and probably at the end of 6 mths it will produce more uvb than a brand new tube. The decay of the quality of light is also probably "cueing" your freind to stay in. It is just about the perfect time to install new lights anyway. I also use a regular compact florescent(no uvb) bright white 1600 lumens or more to improve visible light in the habitat and have noticed it increases activity. There is a new substate from zoomed for burrowing species and some are talking about it on the forum now. I doubt that has anything to do with your uro hiding but that doesn't mean he/she wouldn't enjoy it. Also check the thickness of the tail and elasticity of the skin for signs of dehydration. If not sure a soak and some drops of water/gatorade on the snout won,t hurt and may help things some.If all else is "good" it is probably the light and food and once you change the lights and spring brings us all better greens all should be fine. Keep watching but don't stress your uro.

Thanks so much for the replies guys!!!!!

I was sold my Uro as a CB, although i suppose he could be a WC. He is VERY skittish around people - and he FREAKS out if you even walk past the cage - let alone put your hand in

MyUro - you recomened using a mecury vapor bulb, i had thought of using one of those before but i never did because i heard some stories about certain brands being dangerous and i never could clarify which brands were safe. Which brand do you recomend? I will order one tomorrow if i can find a safe brand.

I do have a regular flurescent coil over the cool end of the tank to provide additional bright light.

I was also thinking...i used to have paper taped around the back and sides of his cage but it fell off a month or so ago. I am going to replace the paper and see if maybe that helps.

Uros are slow growers, correct? My guy also still seems awfully small...his growth is definately very slow.

I will work on getting a new bulb and replacing the paper....as soon as i find a fresh poop sample im also going to check a fecal for parasites.

I will also take a picture of his set up and show you guys so you can give me any tips!

Thanks so much!
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
2.1 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo,Jeffrey Nothing, Louise)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
1.0 Blood Red Corn (Virus)
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Scuttle)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)

the brands i mentioned are actually all mfg. by the same co.(westron)they vary in output from bulb to bulb.I believe Mega Ray to have the best quality control. But T-rex bulbs are the easiest/quickest to obtain in my experience. I use both of these brands but as far as once the bulb is here and in use i prefer megaray. megarays website, reptileuv.com is very helpful and the owner (and designer of these bulbs) can be contacted by phone and he will personally "HANDPICK" and rate your bulb for output so you will know exactly how to place it. Otherwise just do not let the reptile get any closer than the recommended distance(on the box of both t rex and megaray,never saw a wild inside box)and it will be safe. uvb meters such as Solarmeter 6.2, will allow you to constantly monitor output and adjust accordingly. Also, see reptileuvinfo site (there is a link from reptileuv.com) to see spreadsheets showing uvb output of several bulbs and some uvb readings in nature.

WHOA!!! I just thought of something-you listed your pets-just so you know-no offense- but your mali could be scared to death of those kitties! or the dog!! even if they leave him alone if they invade his territory(in his sight)this could be bad.some uros might not seem to care others(probably most)can't deal.maybe a more secluded spot for the cage...

Ok, well then later on today i am going to work on ordering a megaray! Thanks for that advice.

So you dont particularly think that having a substrate he can burrow in would make him any less stressed? I am hesitant to put one in in case i really NEVER see him again, lol. But if it will make him feel better i will definately do it.

As far as the dogs and kitties go, no fear here...the apt i am currently residing in doesnt allow my dog or my cats so they are temporarily livng with my folks! When we get a new place and i get them back i will have a special reptile room where the big animals arent allowed
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0.1 Bearded dragon (Hannabil)
0.1 mexican Black kingsnake (Morticia)
2.1 Leopard Gecko's (Pogo,Jeffrey Nothing, Louise)
0.0.1 Tokay Gecko
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn (Autumn)
1.0 Blood Red Corn (Virus)
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Scuttle)
0.1 Bullmastiff (Asha)
4.1 Cats (Poe, Tucker, Abhid, Felicity, Emmy)