Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my Mali Uromastyx last wednesday ( the 13th ). His name is Riku .

I've been searching for a while for a site that describes sleeping habits of Uro's, but I didn't come across any so I decided to join and post here, because you all seem very helpful.

The last couple days we've left the air conditioner in the upstairs where my tank is off, and my room got to around 95 degrees fahrenheit on it's own. The tank was over 105 degrees fahrenheit so I turned off my heat lamp, because Riku looked like he was trying to cool off. I have an undertank heater too so if he wanted to get warm, he could lay in that corner. I always leave the UV light on.

Anyway, still today, he's been sleeping for over 12 hours more ore less. I'll wake him up and hold him for a bit, making sure he's alright, and to wipe his nostrils (the salt deposit thingys) and then put him back and he goes back to sleep. Before these last couple days he would be active and sleep just when I did, then wake up. I've been feeding him lettuce, carrots, strawberries, grass, and canned corn. When I got him I got a dozen baby crickets and he at them all right away that same day and the next day or a couple days later my mom picked up a dozen more and he also at those right away. This coming wednesday I'm going to get some more. Maybe he's just down because he doesn't have any now or for a bit?

I dont know if any of those facts will help you at all but I would really like to know if he is ill and needs help or if he is just being tired. Thank you *very* much if you can help me. The sooner the better, THANKS

Welcome. First off that is way to many crickets for a uro. If anything only feed him about 1-4 per week. They are not designed to eat alot of insect matter. I have found mine only eat wax worms, which are good to get them fat, but i only feed about 3 per week if any. Your deit sounds pretty good, the canned corn i would watch for alot of salt however. Also what kind of lettuce are you feeding? iceburg is basically useless to uros. Here's what i feed my guys, rico hates carrots for some reason that little brat is so picky: Dandelion greens (mainly), kale, collard greens, bok coy (spelling?), mustard greens, and watercress sometimes. For a dry mix i use dry beans and iguana dry food. The beans i have had the most success with were red lentils, i think they love the color, also green peas etc. but do not feed kidney theya re bad news. As for the temperature situation, i would get a retrostat, that will help you out and maintain a great temperature throughout the day. it should be about 90-100 on the warm side and about 80-90 on the cool side and basking spot of about 120 ish. About the sleeping though. I ahve two uros, my male Rico spends about 6 hours out of his hide which is when he eats, and does whatever he wants in his tank then he sleeps. He is very lazy. My female however is out almost all of the day and hides around 6-7 PM. So i guess it just depends on the uro. The fluctuation of the temperature might have soemthign to do with it however, theya re more active when the temps are correct. As long as he is eating and seems pretty healthy i wouldn't think you have a problem.
Good luck, sounds like your uro is doing ok though!
Here is my male Rico..

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Lauren
1.1 Saharan Uromastyx (Rico-orange, ?????-yellow)
Cozmo-Hannovarian/Trakehner Gelding
Chip-Dutch Warmblood Gelding
Ck-Hannovarian Gelding
Cruiser-Irish Sporthorse Gelding
Opal-Persian Cat
Dude-Jack Russel Terrier
From: New Jersey

A few things come to mind. First, if you just got him last wed then he may be still going thru his acclimation period. It can go up to a couple of weeks. Its just some time he needs to get used to the new surroundings etc. so they just hide mainly during that time. Also you want to keep the handling at a minimum during this time as well so not to stress him out.

secondly, his diet definately should change. The crickets are more like a "treat" than a good diet item. If you give any it should be very minimal like only a couple a week. He needs a diet consisting of many leafy greens but NOT any lettuces. collard, kale, mustard greens, escarole, endive, dandilion greens (and flowers are good as long as pesticide free), fresh carrots, green beans, lima beans. Most you should be able to find in your local grocery store. Also you can have a dry food dish on the side with lentils, green peas, and bird seed (NO SUNFLOWER SEEDS!!!!!!) I would just keep fresh veggies in his dish daily and eventually he will come out to munch. As time goes by, you'll find things he likes more or less.

Lastly..the temps. If the room is 105 degrees and i am assuming his tank was that as well, he had no cool place to go. He really needs to be able to go somewhere where its more like 80 during the day not only to just cool off but also to help stimulate his digestive system. If you can your better off not shutting off the air if thats possible, or at least just turn it up a little warmer instead of off altogether. Otherwise he may start having digestive problems which you really don't want either.

good luck! hope this helps!
Renee