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How do uromastyx handle adjusting the daylight hours? I am seriously considering a Saharan or Mail, and it's cage will be in the living room, where we hang out in the evenings. If I set the heat/light to come on at noon, and off at midnight (maybe leave heat on 24/7), is he likely to adapt and be active in the evenings? I am not going to poke at him and wake him up. My thought was that a 6:00 p.m. feeding might have him out & active for a few hours, when we can enjoy him.

I don't want to stress him, so please don't flame me. I'm writing to see if you, with your experience, think it's a reasonable idea. If it's not a good idea for a uro, then I won't get one. I am very concerned that my animal friends get good care, which is why I'm researching beforehand.

One more question. If I dim the lights a bit in the evening (we watch TV) but keep the heat up, is he likely to be out & active? Or are uros more tuned to light, than heat?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Leslie

1.1 Australian Shepherd dogs
2.2 silly cats
0.1 lesser sulphur crested cockatoo
1.0 green cheek conure
1.0 corn snake

Probably doable if the room is kept dark before the timer kicks in. Ambient light would probably convince them that it's a new day even before their enclosure lights come on. I know that to be a fact with some of ours that begin to stir the moment the morning sun starts shining thru the windows. You can't trick them about what time of year it is but I'd bet they'd fail to tell the time of day if you fully control the light cycle. In other words, the room should be DARK up until noon or whenever you want them to become active. Just my thoughts. I've never tried it.

Are uromastyx ever active in the evening or with dim light, or are they purely high-light daylight lizards?

For example, the panther & Jackson's chameleons I've kept in the past settled down within minutes when the lights dimmed. In contrast, I understand that ackies (Australian spiny tailed monitor) may be active any time they choose, including evening and night, if the heat is kept on. (Some ackie keepers leave lights/heat on 24/7.)

I'm curious how uromastyx will react, and if there's any way to extend their activity period into the evening, when we're able to view them. I could get a nocturnal lizard (I have kept & raised leopard geckos) but I'm really fascinated by uromastyx.

The room does get light during the day, so extending the light till our bedtime will give the uromastyx a long day.

Thanks again!
Leslie

Hey, all you can do is try & see what happens. The Uros are going to do what they want to do & will probably be just fine so long's their other needs are met. If they don't accept the new regimen, the worst that can happen is you'll have to set them back to "normal" hours & enjoy them for just a little bit each day & alot on weekends!

Uro's by nature are diurnal (active by day) and take refuge in a burrow, rock crevice, or whatever it is during nighttime hours. The only time I have noticed any activity after daylight hours is when I transfer my uros into new terrariums. They seem to be so busy licking everything up that they stay active running around their cages for about 10 minutes after I shut the lights off. As far as the television set and other various light sources disrupting your uro's sleep, it shouldn't be a problem. If you provided an appropriate hide den and your uro utilizes it, the lights from the room shouldn’t affect him/her. In fact there has been times were I have gotten home later than usual from the University that I am attending and all of my little buddies(5 juvenile ornate uro's and one mali) are all asleep and hiding for a days rest. It's funny how they just know by instinct.

Best of luck to you and happy herping,
-Paul