Health
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Maintaining a healthy Uromastyx is fairly simple, assuming you have everything necessary. Having a proper sized enclosure, proper diet, UVB, etc. Basically once you have established a proper living environment and keep a healthy mix of foods, your Uromastyx will live a long and healthy life.
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Importance of purchasing a healthy Uromastyx
The most important thing to do right from the start is purchase a healthy Uromastyx. Healthy does not always necessarily point straight to CB instead of a WC specimen. However, in general this is true. The key is to speak with the person you are purchasing the Uromastyx from. Learn what methods they used in their husbandry, what did they feed, what sized enclosure do they use, etc. If you see key things wrong, ie. Feeding nothing but romaine lettuce, 20 gallon tank, etc. you may want to consider a different Uro. The best source is to get CB babies straight from a reputable breeder, or some breeders also occasionally import some WC specimens and will acclimate them for several months before releasing them to buyers.
When looking for a healthy Uromastyx to purchase, they should be fairly plump (not necessarily fat, just well rounded). There should be no excessively loose skin, you should not be able to easily see the spine or any other bones.
How can I tell if my Uromastyx is healthy?
A healthy Uromastyx will be fairly plump. The skin should look taught, with little to no loose flaps anywhere on the sides of the body. The base of the tail is also a good indicator of health. Uromastyx store fat in the base of their tail, and you can see what the base will be fairly wide and look natural. If the base of the tail is very skinny and you can see loose skin, this is an indicator of a malnourished Uro. Below are a few pictures of various Uromastyx in good health.
What does a Healthy Uromastyx look like?
Signs that a Uromastyx is NOT healthy
Good indicators that a Uromastyx is NOT healthy would be excessive loose skin, bones clearly visible, no fat storage at the base of the tail. These are easily seen by the naked eye. You can also see the living environment the Uro you may be looking to purchase may also give an indication of health. If there are runny stool samples, not clean, improper substrate, temps, etc. will also give away the condition the Uro may be in. If you currently own a Uro and are unsure of its health situation take a look at the enclosure. Is it clean? is there any old food or feces left in the enclosure? Can you visibly see any bones or loose skin? Another important indicator would be weight. If you are keeping track of the Uro's weight from time to time, if there is a sudden decrease in weight there may be a parasitic problem that is not able to be seen by the naked eye, in which case a vet visit would be in order.
