Uros are considered srtict herbivores, and while they will appear to do fine with the inclusion of high protein food items in their diet, these items, especially insect and animals proteins will do slow damage to the kidneys. These guys are not designed to process a lot of protein, so it often gets eliminated in the form of uric acid, and build up of uric acid in the kidneys and bladder can cause stones, which will kill the animal if not removed. The kidneys themselves will be damaged as well.



I know that a lot of care sheets suggest that bugs are okay for uros, but they really aren't even good for babies. Plant protein for babies and low, low plant protein for adults and they will live longer and stay healthier.



Doug Dix on insects:

While most Uros consume the occasional insect in the wild, these generally cause more problems than they are worth in domestic specimens. On very rare occasion, we may offer an occasional superworm (Zoophobia sp.) to individuals that are slow to settle in. These are a great way to tame your Uros. Many are easily addicted to superworms and will go to great lengths to procure them. Conventional wisdom suggests gravid females fed a slightly higher than normal amount of insect matter produce better clutches, but we have not found that to hold true. Most commercially available insects are excessively high in phosphorous which causes the body to excrete calcium into the feces. Be careful to supplement w/ calcium whenever you feed insects and never feed more than just a couple per sitting and only a few per week. Hatchlings in particular easily develop metabolic problems if fed too many insects. All in all, we strongly suggest you avoid insects in the diet except under special circumstances (for example for individuals that are refusing to eat or refusing to tame down).

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