Question:

How Long will my Uromastyx keep Hiding?

by  |  earlier

0 LIKES UnLike

So I have a new Saharan (Nigerian) Uromastyx (Sunny). Sunny was brought home on Wednesday, August 27. The pet store said he was about 7 months old. He is very healthy, big, and growing in his yellow colors very well. I use compressed cocunut fibre for his substrate, i got hiding spots all over the tank, the humidity is never over 40%, and his basking site reaches up to 113F. His cool side hits the low 80's and at night temperatures are around 73-75F. I have an under tank heating pad for the cool side of the tank. My Main concern is that since i brought sunny home he hasnt come out of his hiding rock except for his saturday, he stuck his head out of the rock and looked around for a bit. After 5 minutes he went back into the rock. I know uros are very slow at accimilating and very shy but i dont want the guy to starve to death. I bring out fresh veggies everyday but hes not even coming out to get the food. So i tried leaving some food by the rock's entrance, he had 1 cubed carrot. I wanted the guy to keep hydrated so i gave him lettuce at his entrance, he dragged it into his rock and ate like half of it, it means nothing to me though cuz its just water no nutrients beside the calcium i put on it.

When he looked out of the rock he looked fine, his eyes were wide open and he had quick reflexes with his head, so i dun think he's dying. He has not defecated either.

Now that you got the story i got some questions to ask.

1. Is it normal for him to be like this for this long (about 3 days)?

2. How long is he going to hide before he explores the 33 gallon tank?

3. How long can he last without food or water?

4. Is he acting normally so far or is he being to shy?

I am getting a little concerned and paranoid, i dont want to make a mistake with this guy as i did the leopard gecko. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

 Tags:

   Report

1 ANSWERS


  1. This is actually quite normal behavior for uros!  They are very shy lizards, especially as babies.  You've only had him a few days...it may take a few weeks before you see him come out of hiding.  Just be patient.  Just make him a fresh salad every day and he will come out and eat when he is hungry.  They are true desert creatures and can go a very long time without water or moisture.  My guy took months before he wouldn't run away is terror every time I walked in the room!  :)  I would bump up his basking heat temp to 120F.  

    What size tank are you using?  A minimum of 40 gallon breeder is recommended.  And be careful with loose substrate--make sure his bowl is on slate slabs or something so he doesn't accidentally ingest any--impactions are a problem.  I use non-adhesive shelf liner in all my lizard tanks.  

Question Stats

Latest activity: earlier.
This question has 1 answers.

BECOME A GUIDE

Share your knowledge and help people by answering questions.
Unanswered Questions