Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I was interested in getting a pair of baby ornate uromastyx. I'd probably be getting them from Ben Siegel, if now, I'll contact Doug Dix to see if he has any. I was wondering if there was anything I'd need to know before I get them. I'll probably start them in a 3x2 or 4x2 trough. I plan on using millet seed as substrate and using a Powersun mercury vapor bulb for heating. I'll probably use some rocks and slate for climbing. Is there anything else I need to know? I will also have a hide rock and everything will be set directly on the base. Please feel free to criticize. I keep bearded dragons and ackies and feel that uromastyx would be similar to the two. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Uros are great, and Ornates certainly are beautiful. You've definitely got a great start there!! I would suggest that rather than an expensive heat bulb, you go with a simple halogen bulb, about 45 watts or so. That's what I use for mine and it gets them plenty warm. I also use pool filtration sand since they like to dig, but I'm sure the seed will be fine (make sure you don't put the babies on it if they are still very small, though). I would also offer it a few more hiding spots, so it has options. Mine have about 5 scattered around their cage made out of flagstone on top of 2 bricks.

Differences from beardies are mostly in the diet. Bugs should only be offered to Uros as a very occasional treat. The staple should be leafy greens (dandelion, turnip, mustard, escarole, etc). but you could get all this from DFF.

good luck! Uros are great!
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1.3 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna, Drusilla)
0.2 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot, Willow)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)
1.0 Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Smeagol)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh

as far as "similarity" to ackies, all that I can say is they both like to dig and they both like about the same basking temp. they are both curious, too. I supplement all my critters with the same calcium d3 repcal supplement. and that's about the extent of the similarities.
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1.3 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna, Drusilla)
0.2 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot, Willow)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)
1.0 Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Smeagol)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh

What I meant as far as being similar to ackies was pretty much their basking temps. From what I hear, they need it warmer than beardeds. I have a question now. If you say that I can use a halogen bulb, does that mean that UVB is not necessary?

They are considered 'optional' HOWEVER without havign one you *could* be causing them more harm than good, so i figure why risk it? I am going out this weekend to buy my mali hatchling a UV bulb since i bet he would benefit from it especially now since it is our winter and they wont be going outside much...
I would say get one, why risk it you know?

Good luck, it's all your choice however...Good luck with what you decide.

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Lauren
Leos and Uros
1.1 Saharan Uromastyx
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
1.1 Jungle Albino Leopard Gecko
1.1 Hypo/Baldy Leopard Gecko
1.1 Tremper Alibno Leopard Gecko

And I believe UVB bulbs are only considered "optional" if you know enough to *properly* supplement with D3. I definitely don't know enough, so UVB it is. I hear colors come out better with UVB, too (best of all is natural sunlight, though).
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

there are gonna people who say they do and they don't. We have had ours under both and noticed no difference, except that the uv bulbs are more expensive and burn out faster. I can get a 45 watt halogen bulb at home depot for like $5 and that things lasts a lot longer and keeps them hotter.

i don't remember if it was ever on here, but on the monitor board there was a HUGE debate on whether or not they needed uv. So far, as long you you supplement them, our uros are just fine. so are all our other lizards.
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1.3 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna, Drusilla)
0.2 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot, Willow)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)
1.0 Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Smeagol)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh

Thanks to everyone for the response. I keep all my bearded dragons on uvb lamps, but I don't keep my ackies. If people are successfully keeping them, I'll probably not and just supplement more frequently while they are young and decrease the frequency as they grow older.

Thanks again!

Hi...

I have ornates and ackies and I use the Zoomed 160 watt powersun uva/uvb heatlight. I have been very happy with them. I do find that with the ackies I have to put the top of the retes closer to maintain the extreme basking temp. I have a tile on the top of the retes and that has worked out, keeping a surface temp of 140-150 degrees. I use repcal and herptivite daily on the uro salads. My ornates were from Ben and are beautiful and very healthy, I have had them since May. Good luck.

Pam

hey pam! how ARE those ackies doing??
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1.3 Uromastyx Maliensis (Ricky, Quinn, Anna, Drusilla)
0.2 Varanus Timorensis (Zealot, Willow)
1.1 Varanus Acanthurus (Eddie, Roxie)
0.0.2 Uromastyx Aegypticus (Kronk, Yzma)
0.0.2 Ceratophrys Ornata (Mojo, Jabba)
0.1 Geochelone Carbonaria (Turtle)
1.0 Rhacodactylus Ciliatus (Smeagol)

Emily
www.egomantra.com/npoh