We have a Mali Uromatyx for about 3 months now.
For the first two months, things seemed very normal.

Over the past month, she has been sleeeping most of the time, and eating very little. She has not gone to the bathroom in over a week.

Otherwise, last time I looked at her, visually she appeared fine.
I'm thinking that she is brumating, but I'm concerned. I've not found any definitive information about this. Should I expect her to hide for the next 2 months? I'm concerned that she is not getting any nutrients, nor getting water in her system.

The temp in her cage is usually in the mid 80s with her basking spot atleast 110 degrees. Any help/info greatly appreciated.

Ben

It does sound like she is brumating, its about that time of year. What size enclosure, substrate etc. You can try bumping up your temps to 115. As far as water, you can give her some warm soaks to help ensure she doesnt get dehydrated.

here is an excellent care sheet if you need more info.

http://www.deerfernfarms.com/Uromastyx_Care.htm

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MARSHA

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

Right now a 20 gallon long.

We purchased 40 gallon breeder tank, but are waiting for a light kit and are going to use playsand as the substrate. Should I expect her not to eat or eat very little for a period of time? Is 'bothering' her and getting her out of her hide necessary to hydrate her, or should I just count on this being a normal process.

Thanks.

I would reccomend NOT using the play sand, it's really not that good. They really are dry arid animals yes but they dif and burrow usually in the ground not in sand. Sand can get in there noses and clog them and it can also have problems with irritation to eyes, irritation to private areas, amongst many other issues on digestion, i would maybe use just a playbox per say for him to just have a little if you insist on the sand but I would not make it his substrate, he probably won't live his intented life span!

Definitely sounds like brumation....how old is she...how big? adult baby?....Adults have a tendency to brumate more than babies....but you never can tell....oh and Welcome to HC Network!!!

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

You need more of a temperature gradient in the enclosure. From mid 70s to at least 120 in the basking area. My Uros basking site would usually reach to 140. But that's for adults not for juveniles. They are semi-desert dwellers where nightime temps dip way down from the daytime highs. You should also have a moist hide provided at each end.

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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

A couple of things...
If not sand, then what would be best? Is there 1 collective opinion here? I've read that this is a relatively good compromise. Isn't everything in life a compromise?

She is about 7 inches long from head to tail. I am not sure how old she is. I also 'think' she is a she, not really sure, but she is not colorful, has small femoral and preanal pores, so I'm taking a guess here.

I already have the new 40 gal tank, just waiting for the light kit.
So far for a month, I've just seen her in her cactus. Never coming out, or atleast I haven't caught her coming out. I plan on getting her out today, and giving her a nice warm soak.

I just wanted to know if this was relatively normal and how long it will last. 2 3 months?

It doesn't sound like you're wanting it breed your Uro. So I would discourage it from brumating. There is some risk to the health of your Uro if you are looking to brumate it for a couple months. The longest I've done it is about 90 days and only because I was breeding them.
Your basking temps are definitely too low. For the age of your Uro the basking site should be around 130 deg. I usually kept younger ones at 120 and once adults the basking site was at least 140 deg. Young ones can dehydrate faster so it's better to stay on the lower side. Your cool side is higher than it should be because your tank is too small. It's impossible to get a 75 to 105 gradient with a 130+ basking site within a 20 long enclosure.
A sand substrate is not the worst thing to use. It doesn't facilitate burrows at all which they live in. But you can bury pvc pipes under it and they will dig them out. Contrary to some old caresheets, Uros don't come from a zero percent humidity environment. They actually have very humid burrows deep down in the ground. The air is very dry but the ground is not. Many Uro keepers use soil now and pour water into it weekly.
I've had Uros that do what you are describing. It could be the natural instinct to brumate, but I've also had them do it in the middle of summer as well. You just need to watch their weight loss. Two to three weeks is no big deal. But you said it's been a month.
I suspect with the increase in size of the enclosure and the proper temps that the appetite and activity will increase.
If it still looks like brumation, let me know and I'll send you some detailed brumation instructions.

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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

http://homepage.mac.com/exoticdvm/re...oAlbum181.html
http://www.avimedia.co.uk/other/necropsy1.jpg
http://www.pythons.com/calcium.html

I wouldn't recommend sand either because of the links above...you can use anything that's safe...you can make your own substrate or you can buy tile shelf liner reptile carpet slate or grout your own enclosure and seal it. But I wouldn't recommend sand

Thanks for all the info.
I definitely don't want the mali to Brumate if I have a choice. Certainly not if if it might compromise her health. I don't plan on mating her.

I've read (Uromastyx Plus other Agamids from Jerry G. Walls) that the ambient temp should be roughly 80 - 90 degrees F. with a basking site of 120degrees F.

So you can see how confusing this can all be with slightly differernt suggestions / temperatures etc....

So defintiely I'll bump up the temp of the basking site. Currently, I have a single 150 watt incadescent light bulb that provides the heat for the basking spot and the entire cage. Also a zoomed flourescent. The incadecent is is within a dome reflector that lays on top of the screen. If I switch to some specific spot light, it will probably get the basking site temperature higher, but maybe not the entire cage. Any suggestions in the kind of bulb? Am I only to find a decent candidate at the Pet Store or will any hardware store have an offering?


Ben