Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of yearling ornate uromastyx in a 2'x3'x18" enclosure. It's decorated with lots of slate caves & driftwood, with a nyger seed substrate.

While at the Bronx Zoo yesterday I saw that they had what looked like real plants with their ornate uros, grass and something that looked like millet. 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 have been trying to find info on live plants for the enclosure. There is not much out there... most haven't tried it as uros are plant eaters. Has anyone had any positive experiences with plants in uromastyx or desert enclosures?

thanks
benedita

yes, we do that with our uro, beardies, etc.
you need to know the basics of the plants, soil profiles
needed or cheat like some zoos do with potted plants is
wannabe vivaria.

the trick is deciding if you want something that looks correct
or just nice, something is that easily taken out when it dies
as you will kill them until you figure it out, how much time, money and effort you want to put towards studying but yes it
can be done. you should see out kingsnake vivariums

Deven | Terra5Designs.com
web

I decided to put in potted culinary lemongrass and amaranth. If I water them every day they should stay alive, but they will be attractive dried anyway.
So far there has been no munching... just climbing.
I am going to buy a prickly pear pad (nopales) and let it root for a few months before putting it in the enclosure as well.
I like putting the plants in potted, so I can switch them in and out as needed.
thanks for the advice.
--Benedita