Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey,

I was wondering to those of you who have changed your uros substrate to dirt if your Uros are putting on weight faster or if your getting the great results that Robyn is getting???

Thanks
Jack
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

Jack,
I don't think it is just the dirt the has allowed Robyn to have exceptional growth rates...it's his handle of basking spots and temps, the security they have from the hides available...etc. It's early to tell, but I think it also has to do with raising them in groups. I have a trio of malis that are growing at a good rate...I could not tell you what that rate is because I do not own a gram scale, but I know it's good.
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Bill DiFabio
Garden State Herpetoculture...website to follow...
Email Me

Thanks Bill Yeah I think its the whole and not just the dirt part, but I think people have already had all the other angles covered before the only thing that seems new is the substrate.

Jack

P.S. (You have got to invest in a scale LOL)
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx

dirt is just one part of it, true, but i don't think the other areas have already been "covered". we do most everything different than the "accepted norms".

there is more to heating than temps, there are temp gradients, usable basking spots, etc. there is more to food than just feeding. there is more to socialization, more to hidespots (much more!), on the surface the details may seem very similar, but there are enough subtle differences that when put together as a whole, it adds up to a significant difference.

when i look at it, i see drastic differences across the board from the way we (at PE) approach husbandry, and the way i see it reflected on common care sheets and websites.

i am doing my best to communicate those differences here on the forum
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

I have seen exceptional growth in my little one since putting him on dirt but I have made so many changes to his cage it's hard to tell what the main factor is. The ambient temperatures in his cage have increased (same basking temp however), I keep his cage warmer at night (I have his basking light on all the time and just turn off the bright fluorescents, he burrows underground anyway so the light doesn't bother him). The dirt has made shedding a breeze for him and he really seems happy in it but I'm not sure if he would have grown just as quickly with the change in temperatures alone. I would suspect the security felt by having a hide should take stress of an animal and the natural environment will probably help breeding success but these questions have yet to(but hopefully will soon) be answered.

Peter

I have had my small ones on dirt pretty much from the time I got them and I can see the growth. Not sure if it's the dirt or not but let me give you and eceryone some advice, get a temp gun from Pro Exotics. It is essential. You wouldn't believe the temperature difference a couple of inches makes. differences you will not see with regular thermometers. I am not relying on the thermometers hanging on the side of the cage anymore. I thought everything was right till I got this temp gun and started taking readings all over the cage. I had to make some adjustments. I am not trying to sell these things for robyn, I don't know him but this will be the best $40.00 you spend on your Uro.
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Rick
1.1.2 Mali's
0.1.0 Nigerian
0.0.1 Ornate
137 lb. Male German Shepherd named Sabbath. Don't come knocking on my door unless you have an extra pair of skivies.

Ok,
So what are all the differences you guys made that your saying there are so many differences??
I know dirt, higher basking temps, and 24/7 lighting (for Georgio), what other stuff are you guys doing different???

Also I have my guy in a 20 Long right now, I might go bigger in a few months, but since the tank is only 12" tall Im probably only gonna give him about 6" of substrate, hopefully this will be fine, Im sure itll still be better than newspaper though

Ohh and I just came from Home Depot I tried to get the stuff for the dirt mix, they dont have any topsoil the say its seasonal and they wont have till spring, also they ran out of vermiculite, Im gonna check a few gardening stores tommorow hopefully Ill be able to get the stuff. I hope I dont have to lay it of till later.

Thanks
Jack
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0.1 Hypo-Tang Leopard Gecko
0.1 Tremper Albino Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Hypo Tang Leopard Gecko
1.0 Crested Geckos
0.0.1 CB Baby Saharan Uromastyx