How to Cool Uromastyx Lizard Habitats

The uromastyx, or spiny-tailed lizard, lives in arid and semi-arid habitats and is adapted to hot desert days and cool desert nights. It's interesting to watch their colors change according to the temperature. You need to know how to provide the proper temperature and lighting for your uromastyx if keeping one as a pet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Provide the Proper Temperature Gradient

1. Use two thermometers--one for the warm basking side of the habitat and one for the cool side of the habitat--to monitor the temperature gradient.

2. Maintain daytime temperatures in the cool area between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the elevated basking spot.

3. Keep the temperature at night between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ceramic heat lamps work best at night because they don't emit any light.

4. Add a cooling-down period over the winter months, followed by a temperature rise in the spring to trigger the breeding response. The temporary slowing down of the metabolism during the cooler winter months will lengthen the lifespan of the lizard.

5. Provide your uromastyx with a substrate like washed play sand that's moist and deep enough to burrow in, or a low structure to hide in, so it can cool down. In the wild, their burrows can reach 10 feet in length.

6. Offer at least one hide per lizard, keeping it in the hot end of the cage.

Provide the Proper Lighting

7. Provide a full-spectrum UVB/UVA light that emits between five and seven percent rays, such as a UV fluorescent strip light available from pet stores and at the Zoo Med website.

8. Balance artificial light and vitamin supplements with proper food and nutrition.

9. Use two basking lights if you have three or more lizards in the same habitat.

10. Keep in mind that sunlight filtered through glass doesn't provide UVB rays because it doesn't penetrate it. Always use artificial UV lighting.

11. Expose your lizard to real sunlight whenever possible. Although artificial UVB/UVA lights are effective, they're no substitute for the sun.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that the proper enclosure can be costly. Uromastyx need a large habitat with room to roam and space to provide lighting and the temperature gradient. Don't purchase a lizard unless you can afford to provide for all its needs.
• Avoid the use of under-tank heating pads because they prevent uromastyx lizards from being able to burrow down to cool themselves.
• If you use rocks in your enclosure, make sure to place them directly on the floor so the uromastyx can't dig under the rocks and get crushed.

Resources

• Get a book abour uromastyx.
• Read about reptiles and UVB.
• Find uromastyx supplies at Zoo Med.