Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had a Mali Uromastyx (sex unknown) since june of 2008. It was a juvenile when purchased and was fed primarily insects (crickets, mealworms) for the first 5-6 months. After about six months of this diet, the animal refused insects, so it was switched to an entirely vegetarian diet comprised of escarole, spring mix, lentils, green beans, brussels sprouts, cilantro. However, it does not appear that the animal is actually eating any of the vegetables being offered.

Are there any seasonal behavior changes that are often seen in these animals that might be causing this lack of interest in food? Perhaps a breeding behavior? Temperature has been stable since the animal was acquired. Thank you.

I have heard of them eating more insects when young and switching to a more herbivorous diet as they mature. I have even read that an insect treat now and again will not hurt them. Most folks on this forum will tell you they absolutely do not need insects in their diets, and I have never personally given my mali any in the two years I have had it. Go through the usual checks of temps making sure a basking area of 120 degrees is available, with a cool side around 75-80/room temp. Also, appropriate hides on the warm and cool end are available. My mali went into a winter non-feeding/little eating pattern that ended with daylights savings time and the onset of spring. Yours may be having a similar mini-shutdown as well. Of course, many will tell you to do a fecal check at the vets for parasites. If your mali was wildcaught, it may be harboring worms or other parasites that are catching up to it. Since you have had it since last summer, I am assuming it is feeding on something. How does it look? Is it really showing signs of not eating?

The animal did not stop eating until recently,shortly after the change from insects to greens.
Also, the animals activity level decreased slightly around the same time.
Otherwise, the animals behavior, weight, appearance, etc. has remained the same.

Has the Uro seen a vet recently? If it was purchased from a pet store I would definitely make your next stop the vets office for a fecal exam and routine check.

The diet you are feeding could also be changed a bit for the better foods. Escarole is great, I would also include some curly endive with the escarole on a daily basis. You can also feed small amounts of dandelion greens daily or on a rotational basis. I am not too sure the brussel sprouts are any good for them, I would research that further. Cilantro is ok in small amounts, again as a rotational food. Other rotational foods to try would be arugula, watercress, radicchio, bok choy, shredded carrots or squash (limit these to only every few days, as they have a higher sugar content)

Hopefully that will help a bit.

It may be just used to the insects and not liking the greens as much, or at all. Like a kid who refuses to eat anything but hotdogs, or peanut butter sandwiches. It sounds like a pretty dramatic diet change has occurred recently. However, if the feeding stopped prior to the switch, then that may be a cause for alarm. Once again, check the temps well. There could be fluctuations you are not aware of going on. Was its cage moved from a window to a more dark area of the house, or a low to high traffic area, or vice versa?? If it is wild caught, or was housed with other animals at one time, it could be a parasite infestation. You can try some of the appetite stimulants or pro-biotics available. However, I would have a fecal check done. If it is worms or similar intestinal parasites, its pretty easy to have it treated and get it back to health before it gets too far gone.