Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a very new owner to a uro, 3 days to be exact. I’m open to any suggestions and all constructive critisism is welcomed. If I’m doing anything wrong please tell me, I want to give my baby the best care for a long, happy & healthy life. I was told I have a mali, not sure if species makes much difference in care, but. He is 14" long. I have a 75 gal. aquarium, 48x18x20, with clean playsand as substrate. I have a 150 wt basking bulb and 10.0 UVB on timers. I’m feeding him in the morning: endive, romaine, shredded carrots. --I have green beans, yell squash, parakeet seed, dried split peas). Log, hidebox on cooler side.

Here are my questions:
1-should the green beans or squash be cooked or given raw?
2- I’ve read where many use birdseed as substrate-- what kind? I bought wild bird seed, but when I put it in I noticed large dried corn kernels as well as tons of sunflower seeds, are these ok for them to eat? I wasn’t sure, so I removed all of it and replaced with cleaned playsand.
3. Could you please list in order which "lettuces" are best for them.
4. Other vegetables that can be fed and if they should be cooked or raw.

Also, I put a "desert" seen background along 3 sides, it drove Maui nuts. I want to give him a sense of security, should I use a solid color, like blue or black?

Like I stated, I am VERY new to uro’s, but I want to ensure the best health and enviroment for Maui. If I’m doing something wrong feel free to yell at me and point me in the right direction.

Thank you

I feed mine an assortment of greens (dandelion, Kale, collards, endive, romaine, escarole, mustard greens, etc.) and veggies (carrots, squash, zucchini, sweet red peppers, sweet potato, etc. and once in a while, frozen mixed veggies, thawed to room temp.) and a bit of fruit (apple, pear, melon, berries, etc.) Once in a while I give them dried lentils.

You asked..."should the green beans or squash be cooked or given raw?" and "Other vegetables that can be fed and if they should be cooked or raw."...I always give the veggies to them raw.

You asked..."I’ve read where many use birdseed as substrate-- what kind? I bought wild bird seed, but when I put it in I noticed large dried corn kernels as well as tons of sunflower seeds, are these ok for them to eat?"...can't tell you...I've never used birdseed.

You said..."Could you please list in order which "lettuces" are best for them"...I never use head lettuce. Once in a while I use romaine or red leaf because they are more nutritious and provide some moisture.

You said..."I put a "desert" seen background along 3 sides, it drove Maui nuts. I want to give him a sense of security, should I use a solid color, like blue or black?"...I have never been a fan of black because its so dark and doesn't really reflect the light.

Do you dust the veggies/greens/fruit with a phosphorous-free calcium powder? Do you use a vitamin powder or one with D3 in it at all?

"Once in a while I use romaine or red leaf because they are more nutritious and provide some moisture. "

Actually romaine has very little nutritional value, its mostly water content. The 'best' (using the term lightly) daily foods for nutrition are chickory, escarole, and endive. They have the best Ca ratio, contain reasonable amounts of vitamins and are not high in any acids or sodiums.

If it has "lettuce" in the name, it's probably better to choose something else (dandelion, endive, etc). There's nothing BAD about lettuces in general, but there's usually something to choose that has more nutrition in the same volume.

As for the birdseed, most people who use seed choose red or white plain millet. The corn and sunflower seeds are DEFINITELY a bad idea.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.1 Collared Lizard (Ripcord and Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Like the other posters said, stay away from lettuces because it nutritionally lacking and will just take room in your Uro stomach that can be fill with more nutritious greens and veggies. I just got mine, too, a few days ago, and I feed mine dandelion green, mustard green, collard green, escarole, grated parsnips (great for protien and fiber), grated butternut squash (great color enhancer and very nutritious), and chopped up green beans. You can mix in bird seeds, lentil, peas, and alfalfa rabbit pellets, also, for extra protein. Occasionally I add things like kale, arugula, chards, endive and few other things to the mix just for varieties, but these greens can be pretty unhealthy if used in large amount since the either contain too much calcium oxalate (the stuff that binds with calcium and renders it useless to the animals that eats it) or goitrogen (the stuff that prevent the body from using iodine which if fed overtime can lead to hypothyroidism and then eventually death). I also feed mine a little crickets. He/she gets roughly about 60 percent greens/veggies and 40 percent animal protein like crickets and superworms as recommended by Randal Gray.

"He/she gets roughly about 60 percent greens/veggies and 40 percent animal protein like crickets and superworms as recommended by Randal Gray."

Animal protein should not make up 40% of a Uro's diet. That is a death sentence. Uro's may only accidentally consume animal protein in the wild, 40% is definitely going on the road to kidney failure. Most owners with experience food absolutely no animal protein at all.

A lot of the information available out there for uros is outdated, but still circulating. I would DEFINITELY cut back on feeding insect matter. You stated yourself that you're feeding plenty of plant proteins, so the bugs aren't necessary or even healthy. Too much animal protein can lead to health problems such as gout. If you choose to feed insects, keep it to no more than a couple of bugs every couple of weeks.

Also, curly endive is an excellent staple.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.1 Collared Lizard (Ripcord and Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Sorry, I got the diet mixed up with blue tongue skink which are more omnivorous than the Uro. What I meant to say is that they will eat mainly greens and veggies and the occasional bugs.