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 Post subject: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:16 am 
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Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:06 am
Posts: 11
Hello, I have two baby uromastyx in a 20 gallon long with a 75 watt basking bulb on one side (102 F). Should I also have a heat source on the other side? I am also using a Reptisun 10.0. Should I increase the wattage of the basking bulb to get me closer to 120 F?
Thanks


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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:40 am 
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Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:30 pm
Posts: 64
Location: New York
Hi Gene,

You're definitely going to want to provide a larger enclosure for them right off the bat--a 40 gallon breeder is the smallest recommended size for hatchlings. A much larger enclosure should be provided, something along the lines of 4x2 (WxD), for adults--the earlier you provide this the better. Uros require significant room to move about as well as a proper temperature gradient, which is crucial when it comes to thermoregulation. That gradient should provide the Uro with a warm side with temps ranging from 95-100f and a cool side with temps in the mid to high 80s. Basking temps on the warm side should be right around 120f. A hide should be available at each end of the enclosure.

Are you using a solid top for the enclosure?
How are you currently measuring your temps?
What are you using for substrate?
What does their current diet consist of?

Also, if you can, grab a snap of the enclosure/tank and post it :)

Matt


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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:18 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:06 am
Posts: 11
The tank is a 20 gallon long with screen top. I am feeding them spring mix with parakeet seed sprinkled on top. The substrate is paper towel. I have a 75 basking bulb on one side and a household 60 watt bulb for the cool side to get it to 85 F. I plan on upgrading the tank in the near near future. They are egyptian uros and are around 4 inches in total length. I am using a Reptisun 10.0 bulb. I have attached a picture.Image


I am using a digital thermometer and IR heat gun for surface temps.
Thanks for your help
Gene


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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:31 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:06 am
Posts: 11
Should the basking temp be 120 F measured as surface temperature using heat gun or air temperature using digital thermometer?


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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:24 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 12:08 am
Posts: 90
Location: Arizona, United States
Hi. That is a pretty good setup considering the size of the enclosure that you have. But as Vers said, you are going to need a bigger enclosure. I bought an Egyptian Uro in 2010. He was 7” long at the time and about a year old. He is now about 14” long and about 5” across. He might possibly have been bigger at this point, but he has gone into brumation for two Winters so he has eaten less. You have probably found that your Uros are very active and digging and glass dancing. There are periods where they like to walk around. It is helpful for them to have room to explore. Also with a bigger enclosure, you will find it is easier to setup temperature zones there. On your question about the basking area, you should measure the brick surface with a temp gun. 120 F is good for baby Uros but 130 F is good for older Uros. I have a large basking area for my Uro which is good because it gives him choices as to what basking temp he needs at the moment. He will stay in the hot spot as needed or may move off to the side where it’s a little cooler. Also be aware, if they get overheated, they will open their mouths and cluck like a chicken. Also let me say since you have two Uros in the same cage, be careful they don’t fight and that they are both getting enough to eat. Sometimes one Uro will boss the other keeping him from getting his share of food. I have some photos on Photobucket and some films on YouTube you might want to see and maybe get some ideas about a new enclosure. I built my enclosure out of plywood and I had a blast doing it. On my YouTube channel in addition to the default film, you will see the others I have made in the right side column.
http://s838.photobucket.com/albums/zz304/sihunt/Uromastyx%20Enclosure/
http://s838.photobucket.com/albums/zz304/sihunt/Egyptian%20Uromastyx/
http://www.youtube.com/user/Sinistare?feature=mhee
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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:36 pm 
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Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:30 pm
Posts: 64
Location: New York
Thanks for the info, Gene :) Your basking temp should be around 120f directly beneath the basking bulb on the basking surface which can be measured more easily with the IR gun. Assuming your warm side ambient temp is where it's supposed to be (mid-high 90s) I'd simply raise the basking surface up. If you're still having trouble with temps try either cutting a hole in the wire top to allow more direct light/heat in OR look into making a custom wood top. You should also consider adding another hide on the warm end--the tighter the fit/clearance the better (Uro's love to wedge into tight spaces). For their current size I'd say use a piece of ceramic flooring tile (make sure it's not coated), flagstone or slate and raise it about 1" above the tank floor. Be sure to use an additional piece of the same or similar material beneath it as it will insulate better than glass/paper towel.

Spring mix is good, but ensure that it does not contain any spinach, chard or kale. Also note that a lot of spring mixes have high percentages of greens with little nutrients (i.e. green/red lettuce, romaine). Greens like curly endive and escarole will provide a better staple diet. Also, you said you sprinkle the birdseed on the greens but you will be better off providing a separate shallow dish for seeds and (ground) lentils/navy beans.

Also, one more critical piece of information, since you went with Egyptians you will need a very large enclosure in the future--especially if you intend to house them together (which may be a bad plan based on the individuals temperaments/sex). As you may know this species is the largest of the genus often reaching lengths of around 3ft. As a rule of thumb an enclosure for a single adult uromastyx should be 4x it's adult length long by 2x it's length deep. Since Egyptians can grow up to and beyond 2.5ft they should have at the very least a 6x3 enclosure, preferably larger, and larger yet for two housed together (again, assuming that is an option, which it very well might not be).

I hope that helps :)

Matt


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 Post subject: Re: Heating question
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:53 pm 
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Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2012 9:06 am
Posts: 11
Thanks for all of the great information.
Gene


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