Reptile & Amphibian Forums

While at the reptile house at Bronx Zoo today I saw that they had added Uros to their collection. I saw two ornates, both females, although I suspect they have more for breeding. What intrigued me was that they had actual plants in there with the uros: pretty dry grasses and something that looked like millet. I am going to try & contact the herp people at the zoo and ask what plants they have in there.

I haven't put any plants in with my uros since my mali snacked on a succulent and became hesitant to eat leafy greens for several months... Has anyone had any positive experiences with plants in uros enclosures?

thanks
--benedita

Here is a picture of the plants at the Bronx Zoo.

hmm... I don't know why the picture isn't working.
Well, here is a link to a picture on flickr of the uro enclosure at the Bronx Zoo:
www.flickr.com/photos/79027997@N00/24801315/

i don't really know anything about plants but i just wanted to say that i loved your pics, i looked through all of them. one time when i was at the san diego zoo, i got sucked into the reptile house and my poor friend was like "are you done yet!?!"
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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 ***

Thanks for the compliment. I was testing out the macro lens on my digital camera.
I only invite people to the zoo who can endure my love for the reptile, monkey & bat houses, so I don't have to hear 'can we go now?'
I think i have figured out how to insert photos in my post. If this works, these are the pictures of the uro enclosure at the zoo.
--Benedita

Today I called the Dept of Herpetology at the Bronx Zoo. I was pleased to be able to reach a knowlegable person on a cold call to the general information line.

As it turns out, the two ornates I saw were not the first uros they had. Previously, they had been given someone's pet uro that was not exposed to proper uvb in it's early life. The two female ornates were acquired as cb hatchlings from a breeder they had worked with after the health of the former pet failed.

I specifically asked about the grasses in their enclosure. As it turns out they pull up clumps of mature native grasses from the zoo grounds, wash and dry them well to remove insecticides & pests, and place it in the uros enclosure. Because they are working with what is growing on the zoo grounds, she was not able to identify the grasses. They sometimes use realistic looking pvc grasses from www.autographfoliages.com

In case anyone is curious, they keep the uros on 2-3 inches of a blend of sands (mostly playsand, some natural black & red sands for color). They mostly feed them dark leafy greens & chopped veggies, they never offer bugs. She also told me the zoo's opinion on soaking/baths; specifically that they are not recommended unless the uro is dehydrated.

That's it for now, if I remember anything more I will post later.
--Benedita

I forgot something else the person in the Herpetology Dept told me about feeding: They only offer food three days a week. No wonder my uros are getting so fat, they are being fed like royalty!
--benedita

I went to the link and your pictures are really nice. I now have an idea how I will be setting up my uro cage once he gets bigger. I am getting a Saharan on Tuesday (only a baby), but soon he will go into this huge enclosure that I have. My Leopard Tortoises are in it right now, but I am building them another cage.

>> My Leopard Tortoises are in it right now, but I am building them another cage.

Make sure that you thoroughly clean the cage with proper cleaners to avoid any bacteria and such that may be ok for the torts, and not for uros. Just a thought.

-Jim
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2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)

I plan on it. I use a bleach mixture and let it air out a couple of days before putting anything new in there. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Casey

i searched for a while before finding plants that could survive the temp of my uro's tank. i was inspired to try a small basil plant after seeing a post about its dietary pros/cons a while back. the plant is surviving the high temps (i do keep it in the coolest corner) and my mali hasn't eaten it at all aside from a few nibbles in the beginning. before i had a plant in there, however, i was growing an herb garden right in front of the tank so at least the little guy could see real life greenery. the plants also love the light coming from the uvb bulb.