I've looked everywhere to find this answer. I adopted a poorly cared for Uro Mali last year. He is about 3 years old now. He was having severe shedding issues when I got him, but some warm baths, and some healthy foods got him back on track. In the process of shedding, he lost his tail spikes. My question is WILL THEY EVER GROW BACK? I feel bad that the poor guy has a naked tail and would be mocked by other Uros at playgroup (kidding). Especially considering his name is Spindle (ha ha, look at Spindle, the spindleless Uro).

Heck, while I'm here, I might as well add that he doesn't eat any fruit. All the care sheets I've read advise to include fruit in a Uro's diet. I've tried apple, banana, strawberry etc. He gives them a lick then shakes his head like they're too sour for his taste. He loves birdseed, dried peas, frozen mixed veggies, dandelion greens, the occasional grape leaf and sweet potato (dusted weekly, no water in enclosure). He eats dandelion flowers like they're crack! He'll RUN across the enclosure to get them. I'm just concerned I'm not following the "recommended diet".

Thanks for taking the time to answer one or both questions.
mongcong

Welcome to HC Network. I deleted your duplicate post in the other forum. Too complicated going back and forth for the different answers LOL... I too have a rescued poorly cared for uromastyx. and no the spikes will not grow back. I havent had luck feeding fruit either to mine....but greens, veggies etc are no problem....good luck with him! You can check out our caresheet....I dont see fruit listed on it.... http://reptileguides.herpcenter.com/...-t43.html?t=43

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

welcome to HC! glad you joined. i don't know much about Uros but there are some keepers here so hopefully you'll be getting some good answers to help you out.

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Merlin,
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Welcome to herpcenter. I went thru a couple of my uro books and could not find an answer either. Hopefully kriminaal will have some insite on it

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Sorry for the spike loss unfortunately as Lyn said they won't be coming back. This is not an uncommon thing for Uros because alot of the info on the internet is incorrect. Many caresheets state that "humidity is evil for Uros". Hence they are kept in a severely dry environment which does not allow them to shed properly. An experienced herper knows to watch their herps to make sure there is no retained shed. However a beginning herper hasn't learned this yet. Retained sheddings can eventually kill the skin underneath.
This can be avoided by simply supplying a hide that contains humidity. Just creating a burrow of sorts and using a substrate below that will hold a moisture level. This will create a microhabitat with an acceptable moisture level. He will be able to dry out when basking.
As far as the fruit issue. You'll find as someone stated it doesn't mention fruit in our caresheet. Fruit for Uros in the wild is basically an opportunistic meal such as crickets are. They don't require it as adults providing they are given a wide assortment of greens. In fact elevated levels of protein from crickets and high levels of sugar found in fruit is something to be avoided. As their kidneys are not able to process excess amounts of this.
You probably already know this but uvb is required for Uros as well.
If only people would realize when it comes to housing and feeding lizards that they all have different requirements. Usually these differences can result in illness and even death if not researched.

ps - I know what you mean about the dandelion flowers. Drives them crazy. Nothing better for taming a Uro.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and insight. Two questions about the humidity holding substrate.
1. Do you mean, throw a handfull of alfalfa pellets under his hiding rock? Do I moisten them?
2. Would misting (daily, weekly, monthly??) substitute the humid burrow?

Thanks again everyone.

I'm not sure what you're using for substrate, but a good thing is dirt. Not soil but dirt that is a mix of sand and clay. It's easily found at construction sites where they are digging foundations. It will hold moisture and burrows quite well. The amount of water to add is something you'll have to keep an eye on. I can't tell you exactly how much or how often to add. Just pour some on and it will soak in. Probably would have to add some every other day or so. If you want to do the entire enclosure in the dirt substrate (which is far superior to sand) I would suggest setting it up without the Uro first. Pour in a lot of water and let it harden up with heat lamps baking it. I say to do this without the Uro because the humidity will hit 90+ for a few days as it dries out.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

Hi mongcong,

Welcome to Herp Center!!! Hope all the advice has helped. Post a pic when you can!

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