Most people think that raising an exotic animal means settling with never being able to socialize with your pet. Although it might be true that a lot of exotic creatures aren’t actually affectionate or sociable, there are exceptions. The uromastyx is an exceptional example. Attention-seeking, friendly, and curious, these docile lizards make great exotic pets for owners who want to be able to socialize with their little friend.
Before you jump into the experience though, keep in mind that the uromastyx needs much more than just your affection. Keeping it in the right environmental conditions makes up a large chunk of its health and happiness. So it’s vital that you take the time to prepare its home. Where should you begin? With the substrate of course.
Read to learn more about the best substrate for uromastyx habitats and how you can use them to ease the process of caring for your new pet.
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Exo Terra Desert Sand
In their natural environment, the uromastyx thrives best in hot climates. They live in areas where the terrain is rocky, sandy, and dry, such as the mountainous regions of central Sahara. More often, these creatures will be found wedged between rock crevices which serve as their basking area in order to feel safe and secure in their habitat. That said, you need to consider your substrate. The best way to achieve this type of environment for your pet would be to use something similar to sand and then place rocks in the area for the uromastyx to hide in.
That’s why the Exo Terra Desert Sand (Click here to check for product prices and availability) makes a great substrate choice for this pet. Developed to replicate the Sahara’s natural terrain, the material makes the ideal bedding to set rocks in place and keep them from moving around. Placing about 2-3 inches of the substrate to line the bottom of your containment should help provide a secure, stable foundation to hold large rocks and to cover the floor of your terrarium or pen.
Unlike other play sand substrates that come in a single color, the Exo Terra Desert Sand takes into account the fact that most pet owners want to achieve a unique aesthetic in their containments. That’s why they offer up to 3 different colors to choose from. Available in black, yellow, and red, you can create a variety of aesthetics to match your unique preferences. Give you pet a beautiful habitat to thrive in by using any one of these vibrant colors that create the ideal backdrop for your curious little pet.
If you’re interested in breeding, it pays to know that most uromastyx care sheet flyers indicate the need for a suitable nest building substrate. That’s why this substrate has become so popular among breeders because it makes the ideal burrowing material. Developed with laying eggs in mind, the sand encourages and promotes the natural burrowing behavior of lizards, allowing your pet to create a safe, secure environment for egg laying. What’s more, the material also traps heat, making it possible to keep eggs in the ideal temperature to incubate them and keep them healthy until they hatch.
Maintenance wise, there’s not a lot to worry about when you use this Exo Terra substrate. The sand gently wraps around waste material, and clumps together when soiled. Cleaning out dirtied areas with a small shovel can make it a lot easier to keep the containment clean for longer. Replacing the substrate can wait for up to 5 months after first application, making it a really eco-friendly and budget-wise choice.
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Imagitarium Desert Dwellings Millet Substrate
Specially developed for desert-dwelling exotic pets, the Imagitarium Desert Dwellings Millet Substrate (Click here to check for product prices and availability) is slightly coarser than sand. This makes it the ideal material if you want to keep the decor in your containment free from debris, since sand will stick more readily to items when they’re moist. What you get with millet is a clean, consistent surface that looks neat and cleans easy.
Much like and, this millet substrate can also serve as the ideal foundation for rock formations. Having enough of the substrate lining the bottom of the containment – around 3 inches in height – should give you enough thickness and density to hold rocks in place and prevent them from moving around. This could give you the opportunity to create a habitat that closely resembles what your uromastyx would encounter in the wild.
In terms of maintenance, the millet substrate also makes an excellent choice. The larger grains cling closely to waste material. Wrapping around droppings and clumping to moisture, the material is easy to scoop out with a small shovel. This means you can take out soiled areas and replace them to avoid having to clean out the entire tank. Of course, the material is also very promising in terms of preventing foul odors from spreading in your containment.
Finally, millet makes an exceptional material if you’re hoping to encourage your pet’s digging behavior. That’s why most exotic pet owners – even those with other lizards – prefer this substrate over most others. Leaving an area that uses this millet substrate without a lot of rocks can create the ideal nest for your uromastyx. Allowing small clearings in the space will encourage burrowing, and will hopefully make the best space for your pet to lay its eggs and care for its hatchlings. And as you would expect, the millet also helps to trap heat, keeping containment temperatures ideal for breeding and raising smaller uromastyx babies.
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Wrapping It Up
You’re on the way to establishing a rewarding experience with your uromastyx pet. Able to survive up to 15 years, these creatures can be exceptionally fun and satisfying to have around. Of course, before you become a happy pet owner, you should make sure your little lizard has exactly what it needs in order to survive happily and to thrive. So be sure to check out our picks for the best substrate for uromastyx habitats to help you find what you need to replicate your lizard’s natural habitat.
Image Licensing
Shared under Creative Commons – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Alexandru Panoiu – Spiny-tailed lizard (AP4N1014) – https://flic.kr/p/y2vTvG
Squamata55 – Wally, Male Mali uromastyx (Uromastyx maliensis) – https://flic.kr/p/5A4hPs
frank wouters – Uromastyx ocellata – https://flic.kr/p/4cmdXP
