List of abbreviations
From UroWiki
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Purpose of this list
The purpose of this list is to provide a handy reference to otherwise-cryptic acronyms and abbreviations used in uromstyx care, as well as to clarify some of the most commonly-used technical terms that new keepers might not be familiar with.
C
Ca:P: Calcium-to-Phosphorus ratio
The amount of calcium compared to the amount of phosphorus in a food item. This is one tool to help you provide a balanced diet for your lizard.
CB: Captive-bred
This term refers to uromastyx bred in captivity, usually by a reputable breeder. Captive-bred uromastyx are more desirable as they are likely to have been better treated, to be parasite-free, and to generally be healthier. Many breeders are also CITES-certified. See also Wild-caught in this list (WC).
some of these are non UV emitting compact fluorescent bulbs which are safe for lighting an enclosure. Another type of compact fluorescent bulb is the UV emitting lights which has been shown to often be dangerous to your lizard.
CHE: Ceramic Heat Emitter
A type of ceramic bulb which produces heat but no visible light.
CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
CITES is an agreement between governments on the trade and movement of protected species. Although voluntary, many countries are signatories. A CITES certificate shows that a breeder or supplier has agreed to stand by certain ethical and moral standards in their business.
F
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
A list of questions which are commonly asked, usually with answers.
I
IR temp gun: Infra-red temperature gun
This is a special type of temperature meter that works by bouncing beams of infra-red light off a surface and analysing the returning beams to determine surface temperature of an object; this is important to get basking area surface temperature. The reason you can’t use a normal thermometer for this is that it will detect ambient temperature; that is, the temperature of the air. On a basking area, this would be the temperature of the air immediately above the rock, which isn’t the same as the temperature of the rock itself.
M
MBD: Metabolic Bone Disease (or Disorder)
A weakening of the bones caused by lack of UVB and/or lack of calcium.
MDF: Medium Density Fibreboard
A type of wooden board made from wood particles held together with a glue, usually formaldehyde-based (which can outgas at high temperatures, and thus be hazardous to your lizard)
MVB: Mercury Vapour Bulb
Is a special type of bulb which emits UVA, UVB and sometimes heat depending on type. The Mega-Ray is one such bulb.
R
Rheostat
Better known as a "dimmer switch", this is a device which sits on a cable and varies line voltage to a bulb, thus allowing the user to manually make it brighter or dimmer (thus increasing or decreasing relative heat output).
S
SB/EB: Self-ballasted/Externally-ballasted
This refers to the power supply system for tube and MVB bulbs. SB are basically just a single screw-in piece and are ballasted by a tungstein filament, while EB have some sort of power unit connected to them regulating the power to the bulbs. self ballasted bulbs of the same wattage are usually hotter than the externally ballasted bulbs.
T
This is a device which allows a heat source (or sometimes heat and cold sources, both) to be connected to a programmable unit with a thermal probe. When the probe registers too low a temperature, the heat source is activated. When the target temperature range is reach, the heat source is deactivated again. For devices with a secondary connector, a cooling source (such as a fan) may be activated when the temperature exceeds the maximum allowed. Exact specifications and functions vary by model and type.
U
UTH: Under-tank heater (or heat pad)
A type of electrically-heated mesh which heats an enclosure from below. Not recommended for uromastyx as they have no thermal sensors on their undersides, and thus cannot sense when it is too hot underneath themselves. Some types of UTH (particularly heat rocks) have also been known to malfunction and cause burns.
UVA/UVB/UVC: Ultra-violet light, type A/B/C
The light needed for your lizard to create vitamin D3 in their skin (it needs UVA/B in the right wavelengths; UVC kills all living cells, and isn’t a good thing, but can occur in cheap Chinese-made bulbs). UVC is typically in water purification lamps which should never be used with any reptile.
W
WC: Wild-caught
Wild-caught uromastyx are usually prone to bacterial or parasitic infections, and their conditions may not have been very good prior to sale. It is generally agreed that captive-bred specimens are better. Many wild-caught uromastyx come from nations which are not signatories to CITES.
