Reptile & Amphibian Forums

One of the best things about keeping Uromastyx in my opinion is feeding them. No more chirping crickets or frozen rodents!
I wanted to hear from other keepers what they are feeding their Uros. Let's share menus, experiences, theories, etc.

Right now, I am lucky in being able to offer most of the food from my own yard. Dandelion greens/blossoms and white clover leaves/blossoms grow on the lawn. We have a flower bed that furnishes Nasturtium leaves/blossoms, Mallow leaves/blossoms and rose petals. I'm about to plant some Alfalfa and build a cold frame to grow Mustard, Turnip and Collard greens for the winter.
Store-bought foods are limited mixed frozen veggies and lentils/bird seed.

(Dandelion greens/blossoms and white clover leaves/blossoms grow on the lawn)
These and other high beta carotene organics are primordial to uromastyx coloration, without them they may loos coloration within a few generation.

Plant toxic and chemicals are directly related to coloration in at least ornate and Niger, I am at present studying this phenomena with a number of specie.

Very interesting! I was aware that in many green lizards (lacertas, basilisks) their colors may fade in captivity due to their not eating insects that eat green plants. Bert Langerwerf has mentioned this in a few articles. I think it may also occur in chameleons. The concept of this occuring in uromastyx is interesting since in the wild their food changes with the seasons (green growth in spring, stems and seeds later). I was aware that beta carotene may enchance the colors of lizards, birds and fish. I recall 3 such coloranta but the exact chemicals escape me right now. I'd love to hear more about your research.

You can study defence mechanism in desert plants, you will discover that these plants shortly after bloom produce toxins to avoid invasion, forcing predatory animals to feed elsewhere. Sins uromastyx can’t cover distance by flight or land as other animals can (migration) they became tolerant to high levels of toxins. This is not a simple matter as it’s implications are multiple, involving species landscape seasonality and the ability of one lizard to use it’s resources in counteractive ways, and can’t be fully expressed on a forum. We do not know how uromastyx uses its natural resources to metabolise toxins, therefore I strongly advise against feeding them on these toxins (including your personal hydroponics culture) uromastyx seem to keep nice colorations on a high beta carotene diets, time will tell if it hold true.

Shows that all the plants they eat on San Esteban Island are astronomically high in calcium oxalate levels which are toxic to most animals but evidently not the chucks. Just another tid bit. There really needs to be a study of herbivorous lizard diet. I think that maybe these animals handle stuff that is considered toxic to other animals. The lizards in captivity will also take other toxic plants such as ragweed and milk vetch without any ill effects. Also I have heard that the flowers and leaves of the forsythia bush are toxic but the chucks eat them without ill effect. I believe they are better at proccessing these this toxins than most people, even the so called experts would like to think. Tom Greb

Despite living in the largest city on the right coast, I am lucky enough to know a lot of organic and/or sustainable farmers that drive into the city on a regular basis, and have a bit of space to grow a bit on my patio.
I believe that the large distance food travels has a negative impact on the quality of the nutrients in the food, not to mention the environment, so I truly appreciate my unique situation.
That said, I feed my uros italian & wild dandelion, endive, a huge variety of young 'braising' greens, purslane, nasturtiums, rose petals, mustard leaves & blossoms, sunflower sprouts, some frozen veggies, and a dry mix of bird seed, quinoa, winter wheat berries and amaranth.

best wishes,
benedita

Very good!
A couple of questions: I have not heard of quinoa, can you tell me about it? I am familiar with amaranth but did not know it was edible; what parts are fed?

Thanks for your input!

amaranth and quinoa is technically not grains, but are eaten like grain. Both are round and smaller than millet seed.
I buy organically grown amaranth and quinoa at a natural food store and use it in my dry mix. I also have some amaranth grasses with their seed heads in a pot in the enclosure, my ornates climb on the grasses, but they haven't been snacking from the plant.

Here is some info on quinoa & amaranth

"Nutritionally, quinoa might be considered a supergrain--although it is not really a grain, but the seed of a leafy plant that's distantly related to spinach. Quinoa has excellent reserves of protein, and unlike other grains, is not missing the amino aicd lysine, so the protein is more complete (a trait it shares with other "non-true" grains such as buckwheat and amaranth). The World Health Organization has rated the quality of protein in quinoa at least equivalent to that in milk. Quinoa offers more iron than other grains and contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin, as well as other B vitamins: B6, niacin, and thiamin. It is also a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese, and has some folate (folic acid)."

"Amaranth is not a true grain, but unlike wheat or barley, amaranth is not deficient in the essential amino acid lysine. These tiny seeds of a weed-like plant are also a very rich source of iron, and supply copper and magnesium. And amaranth is well supplied with dietary fiber."

both are edible by human animals as well... Quinoa is very tasty but amaranth once cooked is pretty slimy & glutinous.

best wishes,
benedita