Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just got a niger uromastyx ? he is sleeping alot? is this normal?

I am by no means at all a uro expert but i believe that all nigers are wild caught. So it would be could if you could find out if he was treated for parasites. Also could be stressed if you just got him and could just need to adjust. Once again no expert hopefully someone could help you more just trying to give you some food for thought.
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 California King Snake
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Lots Of Fish

We would need a lot more information from you to be able to help out. What size of enclosure is it in? What are you feeding it? What are your basking temps, ambient air temps on both hot and cold side? Are you using a UV light? How many hides are in the enclosure?

Most Nigerians are wildcaught, and not always in great health due to the stress of being captured, shipped, and being kept in less-than-ideal conditions at pet stores. They usually have a high parasite load also. First thing would be to make sure you have the proper temperature gradient needed, and take a fecal sample to a reptile vet to be checked for parasites, then treated if necessary.

Hope this helps some. They can take a while to acclimate and adjust to their new home. I have three Saharans, one an adult male wild caught and two captive-bred babies. Be patient and make sure your new guy is healthy, and give it plenty of time without handling to settle in and adjust.

Andi

My uromastyx is enclosed in a 1' x 2' x 3' but these are my estimates and are not exact.
-The cool side is around 85-90 degrees and i am still trying to get another temp gauge for the hotter side, but its probably between 100 and 110 degrees.
-I have a large basking rock with spaces underneath for him to hide under, and two hiding spots in the cooler area.
-I have been feeding him vegetables , lettuce and spring mix, he likes dandelions a lot too.I have tried peas and carrots but he does not seem to like them.
-He has UV light all throughout the day until night.

He hides a lot of the day, except he likes to run around a lot early in the morning, like around 4 or 5.
And i think he is eating a little, but he does not eat with me watching.

Thanks for the help, and i was wondering whether or not it is fine to handle them every once in a while, will it make him more friendly to me? I have been handling him sometimes and he seems to be calmer now when my hands are in his cage.

-Josh