Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just stopping by to say hello and get acquainted with some fellow Uromastyx owners. Since the day I saw my first Uromastyx I have been obsessed. Until recently I haven’t had the funds to properly care for a Uromastyx and I held off on purchasing any. I have always been a believer in the idea that if you can’t afford to give an animal everything it needs, then don’t bother having one.

I currently own a Sandfire Beardie, rightfully named Trogdor.. (Some may find the name a bit humorous if they know the origin of the name), a juvenile Fat-Tail Gecko named Bronco, and my first herp; a ball python named Hennessy. On Tuesday, I’ll be the proud owner of an adult 1.1 pair of U. flavofasciata, otherwise known as Banded or "Zebra" Uromastyx. I’m obtaining the pair from Mr. Dix over at Deer Fern Farms, who I’m sure many of you are familiar with. After doing a little research I decided that buying from a respected breeder is often the better way to obtain Uros (as it is with most reptiles).

My current setup is a 4x2x2 tank with millet substrate, a 160w MVB bulb with another 100w basking bulb to maintain a proper daytime temperature gradient. I also have a UTH that runs on low to maintain a 70-75 degree night time temperature. A few hides and some basic climbing rocks/fake logs are included. I set the enclosure up at the beginning of this week in order to test my temperatures and the like, and so far everything is going pretty well. I need to do a little more tweaking with the bulbs to get the temperatures right where I want them though.. My humidity may be a slight problem as it is running right around 25-30 based on the manual hygrometer that I’ve been using. I’m going to the store on Monday to get some of the proper greens and veggies for their diet and I already have a starter kit from Doug that has the needed supplements and vitamins. Hopefully I’ll be able to get some pictures up fairly soon after they arrive

From my reading, it seems that a lot of Uro’s are pretty shy and a bit slower to acclimate than other herps. I will have their enclosure in a low traffic area of the house ( at least at first ) just to keep them a little more comfortable. I was just wondering what is the best way to make their transition to this new environment smoother?

Any suggestions, questions or ideas are completely welcome

Thanks!

I think Doug will let you know before he releases them to you- I spoke with him once and he was helpful even though he didn't have what I was looking for at the time. You seem on the right track, and since he has had these animals acclimated in his care already I think you should go by what he says so the environment will at least be close to what they are used to already. 25-30 is not bad at all-humidity is lower in the wild on the ground level but they retreat to their burrows for humidity as well as shelter from heat, cold, predators,etc. so unless you provide a "humid" retreat of some sort-don't think you NEED to try to lower it any more -it will fluctuate up and down on its own, anyway.