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Typical "uromastyx not eating" post

kylesa Apr 10, 2005 09:25 PM

Ok, so he's not eating. I got him about 10 or 11 days ago. He ate the 2nd day, then he sort of ate on and off, he ate from my hand a few times (when I noticed he didn't eat) he ate 2 days ago, but not yesterday or today. The temps are all to spec, he has lots of hiding spots, the only transparent part of the enclosure is the front. I don't really get it. He spends a lot of time hiding. Could he still be freaked out? Or do you think since he's only like 6" and has a pretty small stomach, he doesn't eat that much so it's hard to notice? Or since he's housed on birdseed maybe he't munching on that? Or uh... I don't know guys help me out.

(FOr those of you who will ask even though I just said my temps are right... the basking spot ranges from 110-130 depending on where he stands, around the basking spot is 100-105, the cooler end is 94 or so, and if he keeps walking it goes down to 83 at the lowest. I spent a week tweeking everything and using an infrared digital thermometer, I was pretty hard core with the temperature thing)

I offer him dandelion greens, pok choy, moistened tortoise food, peas, carrots and green beans.

Thanks to those who read this and are taking the time to answer!

Replies (3)

jeune18 Apr 10, 2005 10:38 PM

your temps do sound nice. and good job working with them so much. what did your uro eat from your hand? perhaps that is a favorite and if you add more of them he will eat more of them.
when i first got helga and she never seemed like she was eating i actually counted the pieces of food i put in there.
he could be eating the birdseed. i have noticed with my two malis (so by no means a concensus) that if i put in dry food and veggies, they will always go for the dry food first and even dig through the veggies to look for them so i have had to resort to only giving them veggies first and once they eat most of those i will add some dry food.
i am thinking that he is still adjusting. if he seems lethargic and has stinky runny poos, he could have parasites that are making him not eat. have you done a fecal at the vet?
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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 ***

kylesa Apr 11, 2005 08:38 AM

No, I haven't gotten a fecal. When he was eating on and off last week I didn't panic too much so I just threw out the poops, but there hasn't been any poop because he hasn't been eating. I'll try what you said, maybe fill his dish with pok choy (that's what he ate)

Thanks for the advice. I'll also buy some different greens and experiment.

purduecg Apr 11, 2005 09:36 AM

I have found that different greens are definitely more enticing than others to the lizards, unfortunately they all have their own favorites! The only greens both my uros really like are collards (which are not an exemplary staple for daily feeding), One love's mustard greens the other will tolerate them, and neither like turnip greens... so a variety may help to figure out what he likes.

Also, I had to take my mali off of birdseed because he started eating that exclusively. If your is doing that you will be able to tell when he does poop, because much of the seed passes right through.

Keep trucking along, I am sure he will come around. Getting a fecal done when you can is a really good place to start, just as a check. What a great job on researching requirements beforehand! If all new uro parents did that many Uros would be much happier! As an aside though, I have a Uro that will hide and not come out if the basking temps get to 130, he doesn't like it as hot, but he also wont come out of they drop below 100... so even though you have the theoretically perfect temp setup you may need to try tweaking them a little higher, and then a little lower, to see what your little guy prefers.

I hope that helps, and great job!

Elizabeth
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0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
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