Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for some help with cage setups. I have read fact sheets and obtained a lot of information from Deer Fern Farms but in terms of cage setups - i need some help. Right now I have the little guy in a 10 gal, which I know I need a bigger one, but I am looking for here is how to improve the setup of the cage. Right now it is very basic. Using a mix of playsand and calci-sand (T-Rex) for the bottom. I think that I am going to attempt making my own cage of wood, as i see many people here have. Here is the cage setup as it is:
.5/.5 playsand/t-rex
1 basking area - fake rock with underneath open
1 fake log to burrow under and go into - also climbing
1 food bowl
1 basking light 100watt zoo med infrared heat lamp
1 full spec lamp (over non-basking area)

wanted to show a pic of the little guy
CB Yellow Nigerian (geyri)
Thanks for the help in advance...

Post reply or feel free to use AOL IM to chat and give suggestions (RevLordNikon)

Thansk

Nikon,

I am glad that you realize that your enclosure is too small. The biggest improvement you can make right now is to get this little guy into something larger asap. It's not that your uro is too large for the enclosure; your enclosure is too small for the uro. What I mean by this is that although you have a little guy who has room to move, I am not certain that you can provide the necessary gradient temperature he needs which is vital to his health. There are serious health problems that can occur from temps that are too low as well as from temps that are too high.
I personally cannot achieve the ‘proper’ gradient temps in an Oceanic Lizard Lounge that I had laying around and wanted to use for hatchlings. The enclosure is 24.5 x 18.5 x17.25. Your enclosure is 20x10x12.
I would also like to recommend that you use a different substrate for your hatchling. My personal preference is 40# brown Kraft paper.

Are people using the Kraft paper to a certain age and then switching to something else? If so, what are people finding good things with? and at what age/size are you typically switching over?

This is my first "high(er) care" reptile so I am still learning. I love uros and I am certainly going to have a lot of questions for you folks. Thanks a lot for the help

Nikon,

You will find a wide variety of opinions on substrate. You will also find a wide variety of opinions on the benefits of each.

For example, some people out here might claim that certain substrates benefit by significantly increasing the growth rate of uromastyx. 'My' goal with substrate is not to significantly increase anything. In my opinion, the growth rate of uromastyx kept in captivity is well above that of their natural habitat as it is. The lifespan of uromastyx in captivity is also significantly lower than those in their natural habitat. Although there are many factors that may play a part in the lower lifespan in captivity, I feel that growth rate and size could certainly be one of them. So, what one may feel is a 'benefit' another may see as a potential drawback.

I have tried a number of different substrates and have been using millet for three years now. I do not use millet for any uromastyx under 6". I have already listed a few of the benefits that I see in another post so I will not repeat again here.

I would suggest searching in this forum for posts on substrates as it is one of the more common questions/posts. Keep in mind that what may be a benefit or concern for one person, may not be for another.

There is something about these guys that just melts your heart. Welcome.

Now, I am no where near an expert, but I can relate some observations. I have a Mali that I rescued and have found that over the past two months the change made have been benificial.

The temprature gradient is highly important(85-90 cool side, 95-100 warm side, basking spot 110-120) I started lower end and have brought them up to where Stanley seems to comfortable. Veronica has a great list of Uro friendly foods at BeautifulDragons. Doug Dix also has a good list at DearFern Farms. I have found that Endive is a great staple food and supplemented with Kale, Nappa, Papya, Collards and Raspberries. Uro have their own personalities and there tastes will differ.

From conversations with Debb, I have Gleened alot of good info, she is a graet person to talk to. But contrary to Debb views, my Mali loves Safflower Seed ( sorry Debb, Sanley will "dig" through his food to find them. Listening to him crunch them up makes me laugh)

Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask, no dumb question here.
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~David~
1.0 Sabine Map (Tank)
0.1 Yellow bellied Cooter (Scooter)
0.0.1 R.E.S. (Yoshi)
0.0.1 G.p. Babcocki (Bradley ,i.e,M2 Fighting Vehicle)
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx (Stanley Steemer)
1.0 Lutino Cockitiel (Tweety)
1.0 Budgie (Frosty/Turbo)
0.1 Siamese (Fizgit)
1.1 Childeren (Davyn & Kaitlyn)
The hardest ones to keep caged

David,

Good to see you out here and to know that Stanley is doing well. Did you receive my email regarding the uvb and heat bulbs?

My only concern with safflower seeds is the size should they be ingested whole (for smaller individuals) and the high fat content. Millet is a fraction of the fat and I try to limit the amount of fat in my uros diet. Not that I am totally opposed to safflower- it is just my personal preference not to include it. I am glad to hear that Stanley is eating. I would love an update on his condition when you have the time.

welcome. One piece of advice for you is to stay away from plexiglass , Uros will tear it up.Even the glass panels I have on my enclosure are getting scratched. Good for you for making your own enclosure. Retail setups are outrageously expensive compared to the few materials required.I make all my own,but then I make cabinets for a living.Look for melamine coated particleboard.You don't have to worry about moisture(since there shouldn't be any)This board should be available at hardware stores in various depths.One tip is to keep a 5" lip where the doors open- since Uros love to dig.Then you won't be cleaning up the floor from the mess--Search the web for Ideas they're endless----Good luck

I'm glad to see your asking the right questions. I won't bore you with alot of details.... most of you questions can be answered by reading back through these post and through web searching. Keep in mind...no two Uro keepers have identical husbandry ideas.... These posts are formed from opinions as well as first hand knowledge. Most are given with good intentions.
Good Luck & Happy Herpn'
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Jason
Blackdog Uromastyx Pics

Dood...I was just looking at your pics and that is one BIG freakin tank you have there....150gal - dayum that things huge...

looking back over your pics...what are you using to heat the tank? Looks like all you have is the two lights on top.?. Are you heating from the bottom with pads too or are those just a couple of massive bulbs?

Rght now my geyri is in a 10 gal (I know I know - working on it) and I have an infared 100 watt on the backing and I have a full spec light there too and Ihave to keep the room at 70 just to get the backing spot to 120... With that size tank there has to be more that just those lights...right?

Thanks.. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I use 1.)250watt heatlamp & 1.) 100watt basking bulb and a 45watt "large" under-tank heater. The ambient room temp stays in the upper 70's by day and lower 70's by night. I keep both 150's and a 125 that way. If you notice the basking stacks... on their top level it reaches 130. My smaller tanks can't take the 250watt.
Just as a footnote... all three large tanks were purchased used ..between $100-$150 each..not bad huh.
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Jason
Blackdog Uromastyx Pics

not too shabby at all...got any more where they came from? I really dont want to have to make my own but I certainly can't afford a 300$ cage right now...