Uro not eating

Rebecca · 08-01-04, 09:15 PM

My uro won't eat any veggies or anything other then mealworms. I read that bugs in general are not good to feed too often, so I've only fed a few to it. The pet store said it had not eaten in a while and I wanted to see for myself if it would eat at all, but it LOVES mealworms. My question is how can I get it to eat veggies and that more?? And how bad are bugs for them as a staple??

thunder · 08-01-04, 11:01 PM

is it WC? since you bought it form a pet store, it is highly likely that it is not in the best shape. try to get more of a history on this individual from the store, although it has been my experience that some pet store employees will give false info if they do not know the answers to your questions. find out when was the last time it ate greens and what kind. what veggies have you been trying? is husbandry all correct? tip: try offering food in the early morning when it is first active.

Tim and Julie B · 08-01-04, 11:26 PM

Try to offer fresh, well chopped dark greens in a dish and add some mashed strawberries. Sometimes it gets them eating. If it is eating mealies perhaps it will eat some silkies or butter worms? At least they are better nutritionally. It may be that the pet store never gave it greens at all and it has just gotten used to bugs. Also, does it have access to a basking are around 90-100 dgrs? They won't eat if they can't get really warm and digest their food.

Julie

Rebecca · 08-01-04, 11:49 PM

I have the cage setup good and everything. The person at the pet store actually knew what she was talking about because I kinda quized her on stuff I already knew just to see if she knew anything about them. She said it has been about 3 weeks or so since it ate. I asked her what they had been feeding it and she said some lettuce, carrots and I can't remember everything else. She did say they never tried bugs because their main diet is veggies. I asked her what she knew about the history and they didn't know anything about it's past not even it's age. They just got it sent to them as a replacement for a different lizard they never got. Julie what kind of dark greens?? Also I don't have access to some of the kinda more semi exotic (like the fanier stuff) veggies (small town what can ya do)

thunder · 08-01-04, 11:54 PM

endive is one you should be able to find in the super market. stay away from letucces such as romaine, iceberg cuz those have no real nutritional value, just water.

Kevin McRae · 08-02-04, 01:34 AM

Why did you buy the lizard if the lizard wasn't eating for three weeks?

Rebecca · 08-02-04, 04:26 PM

Uh because I wanted one and besides, they agreeed if it dies in the next 3 months from not eating then they will not only refund my money but also give me half off should I choose to buy another from them.
Thunder what does endive look like?? I tried to find it but some of the stuff in the store was not labeled.

Joe · 08-02-04, 04:32 PM

Im not disagreeing with Tim & Julie, Im sure those temps are sufficent but try upping the basking area to around 120f thats the temps I have always used, offer fresh greens that were just washed in water, good luck, I hope it all works out for you!

Nicki · 08-02-04, 06:58 PM

Hi, try endive or escarole. Mine love dandelion leaves (bought from the grocery store, I don't know of anywhere to get wild ones without pesticides). Also, get bee pollen and sprinkle it on the greens. This sometimes stimulates their appetites. Just ask someone from the produce section... they can tell you which is which.

Definitely raise the temps in the basking spot to 120 or so, because if he's not too well, that will help him.

An all bug diet will kill your lizard. Uros are primarily vegetarians, and need to eat properly.

Good luck!
Nicki

Rebecca · 08-03-04, 12:25 AM

Can you just go out and pick some dandelion leaves if you know for sure they have never come into contact with pesticides??

Nicki · 08-03-04, 06:44 AM

Yes, as long as you are POSITIVE they've not been treated with pesticides or any other chemicals either this year or last year. They'll also LOVE the dandelion flowers if you have any!

Rhonda · 08-11-04, 10:24 AM

What kind of uromastyx is he/she? Here's what I feed my uros(I have ornates and nigerians) escarole(looks like leafy lettuce), romaine, bok choy, dandelion (leaves stems and flowers), endive, hibscus (leaves and flowers), kale, collard greens, carrot, sweet potato, snow peas, green/yellow beans, alfalpha sprouts, green/yellow zuccini, apple, pear. I aslo feed them a dry mix of wild bird seed, alfalpha pellets, lentils, split yellow/green peas served in a a shallow dish misted with water. I do give them the occasional cricket. My ornate uros are more picky eaters than the nigerians. They do get board of the same veggies all the time so it's good to offer something different once in a while like rose pedals, chopped and added to the salad. sprinkle some bee pollen on the salad. Things like that can help to stimulate their appetite. Do not feed them cabbage/broccoli or related veggies.

Rebecca · 08-11-04, 11:25 AM

It's a Mali as far as I know. It has eaten the bok choy I set in there. But still won't eat anything else. I've tried carrots, the bok choy, I can't find danelions yet that I know for sure have not been treated. Can I feed it alfalpha sprouts?? Also how about friuts?? We have some watermelon I'd like to try and feed it. I read that it's bad to feed kale to them??

thunder · 08-11-04, 04:01 PM

kale is not that great, and fruit should be kept to a minimum, especially watery fruits like melon. fresh alfalfa sprouts are good, but not the dry hay stuff. have you tried collard greens? they should have them at the supermarket if u ask a produce person. escarole is definately another good one to try. also: sorel and rocket (arugala) are good, but slightly more expensive. you could also try watercress.

madison.s · 08-11-04, 08:05 PM

try some wild bird seeds and treats,they love that and that part of their main diet.good luck