Uromastyx.org

Dear All,

May I ask you expertise? I bought 1.5 year ago a beautiful adult green male ornate. It looks fine but was not so fat. Since he decreases weight almost continuously having lost a mere 17 %. He is now very emaciated, in a poor condition. Other peculiarity: he has since the beginning globulous eyes. I have never seen that. On the other hand, he is feeding "normally" also in the hand and had 2 negative parasitology analyses. He was isolated in a terrarium for 6 months (quarantine), now together with a 2.5 years female. His 14 conspecifics host in fully similar conditions of temperature, light and food are doing (very) well.

I feel powerless... Would it be senile? I agree it is a very easy solution...

Thanks in advance for your feedback.


Didier, Belgium

I'll try and help the best I know how but you will need to provide more specific information. Please be as detailed as possible. Just copy and paste the question section and fill in your answers in the space below.

-What is their current diet?

-How large is the enclosure?

-What type of substrate?

-What type of specific lighting are you using, how old is it and how far away is it mounted from the surfaces?

-What are your temperatures (basking, warm end, cool end, nighttime) and how were they measured?

-How many and what type(s) of hides are you providing?

-How large is he?

-Do you have any inclination as to his age?

-When did you first notice the drop off in weight?

-What was the initial weight of both uros and what are they now?

-Are you positive he's eating normally and that the other female uro isn't eating for two?

-Have you witnessed any aggression towards each other?

-How long, on average, would you say he's active?

-How long, on average, is she active?

-Have you seen him defaecate? If so, does it appear normal?

-Have you had any blood work done?

Also providing pictures of the enclosure, lighting setup and both uromastyx would be helpful

Thanks!

-Matt (also Belgian)

Dear Matt and all,


All parameters are specially adapted to u. ornata (and thomasi): UV light regularly checked for mw value (measrued with solarmeter 6.2) , extra light to increase lux output (measured with luxmeter), basking places, gradient of temperature (55 C° to 25C° - measured with IR thermometer), hides, vegetable + seeds for food, + vitamins and minerals of course. As explained, all other individuals are doing well (growing well for the youngs).

For what was not precised:

defecation normal, size = 310 mm, not blood work done, activity very limited but going on basking place as soon as spot switched on, no interaction with female, initial weight was 200 (already not heavy for 30 mm) now = 168.

Best wishes,


Didier

How long has he been with the female? Did the decline start after putting him with her? It sounds to me like he needs to live alone. Ornates can be very difficult to pair. Have you tried separating him from her? One thing I know for fact, once they start to decline it is a tough if not impossible road to get them back. Best of luck and keep us posted on his progress.

He was alone for 1 year (a long quarantine!) and was already declining. Nothing has hanged (negatively or positively) since he is with the female. No negative interaction between both have been noticed.

Didier