Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my uro is a nigerian uro and she is not eating. she hasn't been eating for a few days now and i am trying to figure out what is wroung. i give her calcium about 3x's a week and a cricket every other day. i feed her thawed out green beans. and i have not been able to feed her any leafy greens for about a week now. if you know what is wrong please tell me.

Thank You,
Seth

Seth,

Unless your lizard isn't moving when you go to check on him, then assume all is well.

I have a 3 year old Mali and she goes into a temporary Uro hibernation this time of year. She'll hide for 5-6 days and then emerge only to take on some nutrition (just fresh veggies and ground lentils/split peas...forget the live bait). She'll then return to her "cave" at the cool end of the tank for another 5-6 days.

I too get worried and every couple of days move the rocks around to check on her. When she starts to thrash her tail, I know she's alive and breathing and that there is nothing to worry about.

Also, Uros tend to chill out prior to shedding. They eat and "sun bathe" less. Again, totally normal. Good luck!

It's likely that the other post is correct, and it's just wintertime. BUT, just in case, can you let us know a few more details? How long have you had the lizard, how old is it, when was its last vet check, how large a tank, what kind of lighting, what are the basking, ambient, and cool side temps? If there is a problem (and there may not be), this will help folks pin it down.

Also, if he's not eating any greens, you might want to ease off on the crickets, too, until greens are accepted again. The greens are more important than crickets.
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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

I got her in june 04. by the way her name is Thorn. her age is anonymous i got her at the Western Burkes Reptile show. her last vet check was in september of 04 and i am planning to schedule another next week. the avg. on the cool side is about 75-80 degrees F and on the warm side is about 90-95 degrees F. if there is anything else let me know.

Seth

i forgot to say that she is in a 20gal long.

Seth

well, i am not sure how large it is but even if it is a baby it is going to outgrow that cage really fast. a uro needs space. also the temp gradient is a little low. the basking site should be 120ish, and the cooler end like 90ish. i would cut down on the number of crickets to maybe a couple once a week just so thorn is more interested in veggies, primarily greens. too much protein can hurt their kidneys and whatnot in the long run.

read the deer fern farms care sheet if you haven't already. torey (el toro) always recommends one too and i cannot remember the name of it.

please feel free to ask more questions and post a pic if you have one
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***

Yup,

I bet if you up the temps Thorn will start munching down like crazy. She is probably trying to go into brumation with that temp range.

I would definitely start saving up for a bigger tank, but you sound like a very concerned parent, lucky Thorn!

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin