Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have finally gotten my Mali's outside, where the temps are now in the high 90's to 110 F. What a change in their color!!! They are much lighter and yellower!! They are young, less than a year, and I thought I had them warm enough inside with a 150 degree basking light, but I was concerned that they were still pretty dark. Boy, they sure look good now! They are in a temporary cage until I'm on vacation next week and will build a good permanent one.
Just posting this as an observation that nothing beats the more natural heat and light that is close to the animals natural habitat! One reason I went with Uro's, because I live in the desert and can provide this for them.

Beth

Hm,

maybe you should check the lights you use for your Uros tanks. For me its always the best criterium to play as long with the lights till I find sth which makes the animals show the same or almost the same colours as outside.
For Uros my ultimate choice is 150 W metal halide (HQI) with a colour temperature of roughly 5000 K (D or NDL). Depending on the size of your Uros tank you will need one ot two of these and instal them at low distance (1-3 ft) over the basking areas..
And believe me: You will see exactly the same colour as on a sunny hot day outside.

hope that helps

Ingo

I had them in a long 50 gallon plastic tub, 47" long x 17" wide, 14" high. I was using a Zoo-Med 150 watt basking spot light over their sandstone basking area, and a 100 watt Capture the Sun Mercury Vapour UVB bulb over their sleeping area. I had thermomters all over to check temps. I put the bulb over their sleeping area because they wouldn't wake up unless it was at least 90 degrees. There was a cooler end to the tank with no lights and a hide, where I fed them. The only thing I could figure was that because it is so hot here we all use air conditioning, and even though the vent is closed in that room, it must get too cold, even though it is set at 80. Anyway, now they are outside, where they will be able to stay till next winter. Then I'll bring them in to cool.
Beth

So I have to admit that your light equipment sounds fine - but do you knowe the colour temp. of your metal halide? I am surprised that yours still show such a colour difference. MAybe temps do metter in your room. My Uros show best colour under the HQI. At the basking place, I measured a temp of approx 53°C.
And without wanting to insult you: Do you think 50 g is enough space for adut malis? Or are they still juvies?

Ci@o

Ingo

I'm not insulted. Anyone who cares about animals wants to hear about the best situations for them. Both my mali's are small, under 1 year old, less than 8 inches. I am on vacation next week and will be building a larger enclosure, 4 x 2 x 2. I have a BTS in a 4 x 6 x 2 enclosure, and don't have enough room for anything bigger. But from all I have read I think this will be okay for the Uro's.
I looked all over the boxes for my bulbs, and cannot find the info you requested. Makes me wonder though.
Beth

Makes me wonder as well-colour temperature is on eof the most important things to consider for light sources if you keep herps.
Maybe you should email the manufacturer.

Ci@o

Ingo

Where can I get such a bulb? Which one makes the difference? I have a 100 watt heat lamp and a 8.0 UV lamp and they are still so dull. Temps are 110 under the light, 85 rest of cage.
-----
Mark Martinez
University of Florida

Ingo,

I guess I need to try your lights because mine got much more colorful, especially the females, when I moved them outside. I've been concerned about the humidity (I'm in Arkansas and it's been raining more than usual- I bring them in if it rains but the air is very humid). Doug Dix said he thought they'd be okay, though if I brought them in from the rain and didn't have wet substrate. -Lucy

Beth,

I have noticed this as well. Boulder, my egyptian Uromastyx turns a very light grey when he is outside for half an hour or more.

Peter