Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've just ordered a yearling Ornate from Doug Dix (Yea!). I want to get a fecal done when he arrives (Wednesday) so I've got a temporary enclosure setup. It's a 20g long. Is that too small for a temporary? I'll p/u a larger one when I know he's parasite free, but since I had the 20g on hand and have been through the sterilizing/sanitizing process with our Bearded Dragons, it's definitely easier to clean.

Also, is birdseed o.k. for a yearling or should I keep to non-adhesive shelf liner/paper towels?

Our order from ReptileUV should arrive Friday/Monday...will a tube UVB suffice in the meantime?

Last, Doug mentioned that Ornates are "sensitive to mustard oils" so he feeds them Endive, limited Bok Choy, for their leafy greens. I'm having difficulty finding a diet specific to Ornates...any help appreciated.

Last, a big thank you to everyone for all of your information, especially to El_Torro!

can not wait to see pics!!!
-----
1 Uromastyx Macfadyeni named Magnus
(Magnus is one of Anne Rice's vampire characters)

60 tropical fish

2 African Clawed Frogs named Reef (olive) and Barnacle (albino)

4 Fiddler Crabs

- Mike
Morris Cty, NJ

>>
>>Last, a big thank you to everyone for all of your information, especially to El_Torro!

Wow!! Thank you! And I'd like to pass on thanks to everyone who has helped me, especially when I was starting out. This forum has been (and continues to be) a great resource for everyone who cares about their uros!

You might be able to get away with a 20g for a very short time, but be careful of the temperatures - it might be hard to keep a proper gradient. I would just go straight to the big cage if you have the means. And if your new uro won't eat after a week in the smaller cage, move him immediately to a larger one. When I first got Joe and didn't know any better, I had him in a quarantine cage that was too small. He didn't eat on his own for 3 weeks until I moved him to the larger cage (on recommendation from Dr. Dix). Too stressful in too small a space.

No direct experience with the young uros, but I understand anything over 6" in length can be put on a sand or birdseed substrate.

Until your MegaRay arrives, the UVB tube should be just fine.

No idea on the diet recommendations - didn't even think about species making a difference to diet, quite honestly. I didn't know that ornates were sensitive to the mustards! Guess you learn new stuff every day.

Congrats on your new friend! Please post lots of pictures! The ornates are gorgeous - do you know if you'g getting a male or a female?
-----
Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

Yea, I think you're right, I've got a 40g Breeder that I'll probably use as the interim enclosure, until we get the final "big" enclosure finished.

I have no idea whether it'll be a male or female, though I was expecting him/her today. But I just got a call from my local USPS (I had forewarned them to expect a "live lizard shipment" and they didn't get him/her today. I'm surprised since Doug Dix is north of Seattle and I'm on the Washington border (Camas). I hate to think of him/her in that enclosure this long. I'll post pix as soon as the arrival! Thanks again!