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Mali Uromastyx Temperature/Humidity: Ideal daytime temperature for
uromastyx should range between 75 and 90 degrees. Additionally, a basking
lamp should be used to maintain a local temperature of 115 to 125 degrees.
Night time temperature should remain between 68 and 75 degrees. The humidity
for these desert lizards should be kept very low.
Lighting: All uromastyx require ultraviolet lighting to maintain good
health. Ultraviolet lighting is recommended for 12 hours per day. The
use of a timer will help maintain an accurate lighting schedule.
Feeding/Watering: Mali uromastyx are mainly vegetarian (eat only plant
matter). Therefore their diet should include vegetables, fruit, and grains.
Suggested foods: dark, leafy greens (mustard, collard, radish, and turnip
greens or tops, kale, dandelion leaves-stems-flowers, bok-choy, non-treated
backyard grasses and weeds, clover), legumes, mulberry and grape leaves,
roses, hibiscus, nasturtiums, carnation flowers, cured alfalfa and timothy
hay, soaked alfalfa pellets, thawed frozen mixed vegetables (peas, corn,
lima beans, carrots, green beans), peas in the pod, cauliflower, soy bean
sprouts, jicama, radishes, summer and winter squashes, grapes, apples,
oranges, pear, prickly pear fruit, peaches, plums, nectarines, dates,
all types of melons, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, mangoes, and
tomatoes. When feeding fruits & vegetables, use four vegetables to every
fruit per meal. It may be best to only offer fruits in every third or
fourth feeding. Red fruits are great for shy eaters as reptiles are naturally
attracted to the color red. Crickets can be offered as a dietary supplement
about once a week. Feeding uromastyx every day is suggested as well as
dusting food with vitamin/calcium powder every other feeding. Always remove
food four hours after it is offered to prevent spoilage. Additionally,
uromastyx benefit greatly when bird seed (finch or parakeet mix) is sprinkled
over every other meal. This aids in digestion.
Habitat/Housing: Individual uromastyx can be maintained in a 35 to
50 gallon terrarium. A screen lid is essential for proper air exchange.
Uromastyx are best kept singularly. However, for multiple pets, increase
habitat size accordingly to ensure each uromastyx has plenty of space
to move about and not interfere with tankmates. An undertank heater should
be placed on the same end of the tank as the basking lamp. A shelter for
hiding is necessary, especially if multiple pets are in the same enclosure.
Substrate
(Bedding): 2" to 3" inches of Repti-Sand is recommended for uromastyx
terrariums to encourage their natural burrowing instinct. General info:
Uromastyx can be long-lived pets if maintained properly. It is estimated
that their lifespan can reach more than 50 years. These unique desert
lizards are quickly becoming one of the most sought after reptiles among
hobbyists. Size: Adult length up to 16"
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