Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy,

So I understand that the issue of substrate is not entirely black and white in the uro world. I have done a lot of reading and many seem to agree that either millet or washed play sand can be good options. I think the breeder I got him (or her) from had them on large pellets as hatchlings.

I have a young ornate uromastyx and started him out on paper towels and flat rock slabs since many other options seemed dangerous when he was only about 1-2 months old (almost made the walnut shell mistake when I was new to uros). I'm wondering when and what do upgrade him to though.

I would go the millet route, but he LOVES to eat it (I throw in a few organic millet seeds a couple times a week and he will stop whatever he is doing and bolt for them), so I'm afraid he would go crazy with it (at least for a bit). He seems to ignore anything that looks like sand though, besides the occasional "tongue test" when exploring. Even if I grind up lentils, etc. to put by the greens, he won't notice it if it isn't moving and looks like sand.

So, maybe the washed play sand is a good option? At what age is it safest to introduce them to more than paper towels and rock slabs as substrate?

Thanks for any advice.

Don't move him to a particulate substrate until he's at least six inches in length. Make sure he eats very well and is well hydrated when you make the switch - if he does eat some, it's more likely to pass safely.

I've used both playsand and millet in the past. Sand is fine (if they don't eat it) but it's heavy and hard to keep clean. Keep food bowls on rock slabs to keep sand out as much as possible. Make sure any rocks are placed on the floor of the cage, not on top of the sand because they WILL dig underneath and get crushed. Natural beach sand is best. I had very good luck with pool filter sand from the pool supply store. I still use it in their dig boxes.

I've mostly used millet and that's worked out fine for me, though it's not a very natural substrate for them. If they like to eat it, though, then you're better off with sand, I think (my opinion only).

Currently, they're all on kraft paper. My millet got a bug infestation that's been a real hassle - another downside. But I used it for...what, ten years before getting bugs?
-----
Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.2 Saharan Uros (Joe, Arthur, and Hitch)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.0 Ornate Uro (Scuttlebutt)
1.2 Collared Lizards (Ripcord, Thiamine, and Riboflavin)
1.1 Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)