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Occasionals)
Definitions
Regularity
The foodstuffs listed below are divided into three main categories - staples, rotationals and occasionals - as well as seeds, which are given their own listing. In most cases, the best guide is simply common sense: don't feed an occasional to your uromastyx for two weeks in a row. Variety is the key. For example, feed escarole for a week and then endive the next week, both mixed together on other weeks; throw in some rotationals or an occasional to give added variety. Note that sprouts (such as alfalfa sprouts compared to alfalfa plants) are generally lacking in useful nutritional content and should be avoided.
- Staples are meant to be fed regularly, on a daily basis
- Rotationals should be fed less often; once or twice per week at most
- Occasionals should be fed once per month at most
Seeds are a slightly different matter. Some keepers prefer to put a small bowl of seeds into the enclosure and leave it there all the time, changing it out as required or at most every couple of weeks. Others find that their uromastyx eat too much of the seeds, and only provide them as a rare treat. Again, common sense and regular monitoring are the key here.
Chemical content
The following chemical traits are discussed in this list, so here are some brief definitions (you can find many more common definitions used when talking about uromastyx in the list of abbreviations):
- Oxalates bind calcium, removing it from other foods so it won't be digested
- Goitrogens induce hypothyroidism, and depress thyroid function, by interfering with absorption of iodine. Restriction of iodine causes the thyroid to increase its size as it tries to filter more blood to get more iodine.
- Vitamin C can cause diarrhoea at high levels; low levels are said to help reptiles cope with stress and disease.
- Acidic fruits and vegetables may cause diarrhoea and toxicity
- Phosphorus can be dangerous at high levels. See Ca:P for more information on the Calcium:Phosphorus ratio.
Staples
Staple greens are greens that can be fed regularly as the basic food for the uromastyx; you should pay attention to what combinations you feed your lizard so as to keep the nutrients well-balanced. Terms like oxalates and goitrogens are explained more in the section on what not to feed, at the bottom of this page. Staple greens include the following:
(Curly) endive (Chicorium endivia) - moderate oxalates, high calcium
variant Frisée salad (Crispum endivia)
variant Escarole (Latifolia endivia)
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Dandelion greens (Taraxacum officinale) - high in calcium and vitamin A (140 IU/g), moderate oxalates. You can feed both flowers and leaves. Be cautious of pesticides in wild greens; be absolutely sure that the place you gather them from has been pesticide-free for at least two years.
Note: although dandelions are listed as a staple, they should be considered a moderate staple - in large quantities, they function as both a diuretic and a source of potassium and other salts, possibly causing dehydration and large deposits of snalt. Also be aware of many plants which are in fact false dandelions, and should not be fed.
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| Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) - plant, not sprouts
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| Cactus pad/leaf (various varieties) - high calcium
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| Cactus pear aka prickly pear (e.g., O. ficus-indica) - high calcium
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Squash (marrow)
| Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo)
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| Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) - high fibre, high vitamin A (78 IU/g)
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| Hubbard squash (Cucurbita maxima) - high fibre, high vitamin A (54 IU/g)
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| Scallop squash (Cucurbita pepo)
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| Spaghetti squash (Cucurbita pepo) - high calcium and fibre
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| Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) - e.g., zucchini/courgette
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Rotationals
Rotationals are food that is given once or twice per week or per fortnight; it is important to use your own judgement when doing so. Rotationals include the following:
| Collard greens (Brassica oleracea) - high calcium, moderate oxalates
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| Raddichio/Italian Chicory (Chicorium intybus)
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| Rucola/rocket/arugula (Eruca sativa)
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| Watercress greens (Nasturtium officinale) - high vitamin C (4%), high vitamin A (47 IU/g), high oxalates (6:1 ox:ca)
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| Bok Choy/Bok Choi (certain forms of Brassica rapa; see what not to feed, below) - high vitamin C, high vitamin A (30 IU/g), goitrogens
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| Soaked Lentils (Lens culinaris)
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| Shredded carrots (Daucas carota) - high vitamin A (150 IU/g), moderate oxalates
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| Zucchini - high phosphorus
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| Coriander/cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) - high vitamin A (40 IU/g), moderate oxalates (50 ppm)
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Bell peppers
| Green Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) - moderate oxalates (1171 ppm)
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| Red Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) - high vitamin C (19%), high vitamin A (57 IU/g), moderate oxalates (1171 ppm)
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| Yellow Bell pepper (Capsicum annuum)
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Occasionals
Occasional greens that can be added to spice up your uromastyx' diet can include the items on this page. It is recommended to give occasional items not more than once or twice a month.
When feeding edible flowers, be 100% sure that the flowers are free of all pesticides and fertiliser. If you are unsure of the origin of any flowers, do not feed them to your lizard.
| Shredded green beans (many types, often Phaseolus vulgaris) - canned, moderate oxalates (312 ppm)
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| Shredded green beans (many types, often Phaseolus vulgaris) - raw
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| Green peas (Pisum sativum) (raw)
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| Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum) (pea and pod) - moderate oxalates (60 ppm)
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| Mustard greens (Brassica juncea) - high vitamin C (7%), high vitamin A (53 IU/g), moderate oxalates (1287 ppm), goitrogens. Should only be fed very sparingly, and infrequently.
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| Turnip greens (Brassica rapa; leaves only) - high vitamin C (6%), high vitamin A (76 IU/g), moderate oxalates. Should only be fed very sparingly, and infrequently.
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| Romaine lettuce (Latuca sativa or longfolia) - red and green; mainly consists of water, contains little nutritional value for uros but very good for hydration. It is relatively high in oxalates, and should only be fed when high water content/rapid rehydration is required.
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Flowers
As a general rule, uromastyx can safely eat any flowers which are also human-edible, which includes (but is by no means limited to) the following:
| Pansies (Viola tricolor)
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| Violets (Viola)
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| Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
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| Dahlia (Dahlia)
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| Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
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| Catsear/Cat's Ear/False dandelion (Hypochoeris radicata)
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| Rose petals (Rosa)
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| Hollyhock (Malva sylvestris)
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| Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
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| Birdsfoot Trifoil (Lotus corniculatus)
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| Hibiscus (Hibiscus)
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| Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) - a great treat and an excellent source of vitamins
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| Roselle leaves (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
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Fruits
| Apple peel (all varieties)
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| Apricot (Prunus armeniaca, also sometimes Armeniaca vulgaris) fresh - high vitamin A (26 IU/g)
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| Blackberries (e.g., Rubus fruticosus) - fresh, moderate oxalates, vitamin C (2%), high fibre.
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| Blueberries (various of the genus Vaccinium) - fresh, moderate oxalates
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| Cherries (e.g., Prunus avium) - good source of potassium
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| Cranberries (Vaccinium Oxycoccos) - fresh, high fibre
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| Figs (of the genus Moraceae) - raw, high calcium and fibre. moderate oxalates
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| Grapes (of the genus Vitis) - red and green; moderate oxalates (34 ppm)
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| Guava (of the genus Psidium) - high fibre and vitamin C. moderate oxalates (140 ppm)
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| Mango (of the genus Mangifera) - fresh, high vitamin A (39 IU/g), moderate oxalates (300 ppm)
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| Nectarine (a variety of Prunus persica)
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| Papaya (Carica papaya) - high calcium. high vitamin C (6%)
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| Peach (Prunus persica) - fresh, low oxalates. goitrogens
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| Pear (Asian, Pyrus pyrifolia) - fresh, high oxalates
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| Pear (of the genus Pyrus) - high oxalates
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| Raisins (of the genus Vitis) - seedless, high fibre, high sugar
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| Strawberries (e.g., Fragaria Rosaceae) - high vitamin C, moderate oxalates
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Melon
| Cantaloupe melon (European C. melo cantalupensis, or North American C. melo reticulatus) - high vitamin A (32 IU/g)
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| Honeydew melon (C. melo inodorus)
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| Watermelon (Citrullus)
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Seeds
Uromastyx are generally fond of seeds. Although some keepers use seeds as substrate, it is generally recommended for health reasons to restrict the use of seeds to food items. The following seeds can be fed to an uromastyx:
| White millet (Panicum miliaceum)
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| Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
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| Clover (Trifolium)
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| Sesame (Sesamum indicum; but only a small amount)
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What not to feed
As a general rule, you should avoid feeding your lizard any of the following items:
- Insects
- Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus) - these are high in fat and unhealthy for the lizard
Aviod foods with high levels of the following:
- Oxalic acid - this binds calcium, removing it from other foods so it won't be digested. Foods high in oxalates include:
- Beets (Beta vulgaris)
- Kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa )
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
- Carambola/starfruit (Averrhoa carambola)
- Chard (Beta vulgaris)
- Goitrogens - this induces hypothyroidism, and depresses thyroid function, by interfering with absorption of iodine. Restriction of iodine causes the thyroid to increase its size as it tries to filter more blood to get more iodine. The worst offenders include:
- Soy beans (Glycine max)
- Broccoli (Brassica oleracea Italica)
- Kale (Brassica oleracea)
- Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea Gemmifera)
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- Cauliflower (variety of Brassica oleracea)
- Rutabaga/Swede (Brassica napobrassica or Brassica napus)
- Vitamin C - high levels can cause diarrhoea (5000g+ per day in humans); low levels are said to help reptiles cope with stress and disease.
- Acids - concerns with causing diarrhoea and toxicity
- Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum, also Lycopersicon lycopersicum and Lycopersicon esculentum)
- Oranges (Citrus sinensis or Citrus aurantium)
- Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi)
- Phosphorus - high levels can be dangerous
- Bananas (of the genus Musa)
- Corn (Zea mays)
- Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
Freezing greens
When freezing green vegetables, especially leafy greens, thiamine (vitamin B1) will leach out. When uromastyx are fed over a long period of time with no extra thiamine added to their diet, a deficiency - hypothiaminosis - will occur. This causes tremors and twitches, which resembles the symptoms for MBD.
