My new baby Egyptian Uro

Question
QUESTION: Hi Tracie,

I just got my new baby, Silverado (Silver for short) on Friday, and as a new lizard mom I have a few questions.

He seems very happy, was only skittish for a few minutes the day after I got him. He is about 4 months old, and very friendly--he likes when I hold him, he acts very safe and likes to close his eyes while I gently stroke his back and head. He seems a bit irritated when I touch his tail, I am wondering if that could be because there is still parts on it that haven't completely finished shedding this round? And should I spray his tail with water at all? I know that Uros need it dry and don't drink water, not sure what to do to help get that last bit of old skin to shed properly as I know it can be a bad thing if it does not come off.

Also, I trust the pet shop where I got him, and spoke to their reptile specialist. She has raised a Mali Uromastyx, and always used crushed walnut shells as a substrate with no problem so that is what I have in the tank for Silver. I have seen him touch it with his tongue but I do not think he has eaten any, at least not on purpose....I read online a couple of places that the playsand is best, but Silver seems happy with his crushed shells, what do you think?

Also, he has strewn his birdseed about the cage a bit, so I am a little worried he would accidentally ingest a bit of the shells if snagging a piece of the birdseed.

Lastly for now, what fruits are safe to give him as a treat? For food I have been giving him mixed baby lettuces--no spinach or kale as I understand that is not good for him. I have given him a bit of grated carrot and radish-he seems to like the carrot better. I did give him a bit of mustard greens, then read that is not good for them either. I have sprinkled a little bit of Iguanavite powder or whatever that is called, but not too much as there is fructose in there and doesn't seem to be a good idea to give a tiny baby sugar like that.

Any help is appreciated--thanks so much!

Jennifer

ANSWER: Hello Jennifer,
You are correct, I would go sparingly on the spinach & the kale as they bind calcium absorption.  I would do collard greens, endive, escarole, beans & peas such as lentils.  
I would personally just use plain calcium powder such as repcal calcium with no phosphorus or sugar, or Jurassical.  He will need that at least 4-5 times weekly.
Are you providing UVB lighting for him, & what type of basking light are you using & what are your temps for him?  How do you measure the temperatures?
You can spray his tail a bit, just outside of his tank though.  They do not do well with too much humidity in their tank.
I agree, if you are going to use loose substrate I recommend washed & playsand because there is much less impaction risk.  Alot of people mix topsoil with washed & sifted playsand & have good results with that.  Do not use calcisand or reptisand.  The walnut shell clumps together when it is ingested & can lead to fatal impactions especially in babies.
Not all reptile specialists are what they appear to be unfortunately.  

Let me know how things are going.  

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oops, I asked my follow up questions in the rating section. Let me know if you do not get them. Thanks!

ANSWER: Hello Jennifer,

Sorry I can't find your questions in the other section!  :-))  I am probably missing something.  Just ask again.  Are things going better with him today?


Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi!

I think I asked.....oh yes, should I cook the lentils first, and another question I have is, is there any fruit he can have for a treat?

I bought some organic dandelion greens tonight and will be giving some tomorrow. I read that they like parsnips too but could not find any good ones, also wanted to get him some edible flowers but no luck.....

Thanks so much!

Answer
Hello Jennifer,

Yes, you should cook the lentils first they are easier for them to eat.  :-))  He can have a little bit of mango or papaya, no problem as well as some edible flowers such as hibiscus or dandelion flowers.  
You can also offer some butternut squash, or other squash varieties too if you would like to.  The variety would be good for him.
No luck on flowers huh?   He will love dandelion greens though.  
Sometimes it is so hard finding those different types of greens, it is frustrating.  
Here is a cool website that got started last year sometime & has had alot of success.  Go check it out.  
http://www.reptileeats.com/

Let me know how things are going!

Tracie