Uromastyx ocellata – If this sounds familiar to you, let me tell you that it’s not a spell from Harry Potter – Close enough indeed!
The word “Ocellata” comes from the word “Ocellated” which means having eye-shaped freckles. These freckles give Uromastyx Ocellata their personal identity.
Uromastyx ocellata was in the limelight in the mid-1990 but the exports stopped following the bans. Since then, these beautiful species have felt left out. People stopped talking about them and misconceptions kept on building.
But enough is enough!
We decided to restore the lost fame and bring you an all-inclusive profile of Uromastyx ocellata. The article will cover all the questions you can possibly have about the Uromastyxian. Their heritage, care, color, cost, requirements, and diseases – You name it!
Without further ado, let’s get right into it!
Contents
What is Uromastyx Ocellata?
What is this reptile?
They are spiny-tailed lizards from the genus of Uromastyx and the family of Agamidae.
Where does it come from?
They are from northeastern areas of Africa. Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, and Djibouti are their favorite hosts with rocky hilly deserts providing them adequate opportunities to hide and make a home.
What else are they called?
They are commonly known as, Ocellated Mastigure, Ocellated Uromastyx, Eyed Spiny-tailed Lizard, Smooth-eared and Eyed Dabb Lizard.
How much does it cost?
The cost ranges from $120 to $200.The difference in cost is primarily subjected to the size and color combination of Uromastyx Ocellata.
How big do they get?
They fall in the category of medium-sized Uromastyx with an average length of 28-30 cm. A fully grown Uromastyx Ocellata can weigh around 220-230 g.
Care level required
Medium
Uromastyx Ocellata is friendly and won’t bother you much with a long list of demands. They are born to live under extreme circumstances of deserts with scarce food opportunities. This way medium care level is more than they can ask for.
How many colors of Uromastyx Ocellata are there?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Uromastyx Ocellata usually has mainstream coloring depending on their gender. Males have a typical bright blue color with yellow and orange spots spread throughout their back. Females despite being larger are dull in colors. However, they do tend to get brighter in color during breeding seasons.
How much does Uromastyx Ocellata cost?
Uromastyx Ocellata is considered to have an extensive territory. They have roots across a hundred of thousands of hectares of northeastern land of Africa. They are in good numbers but a slight decline in their population is observed over the past few years – But still, they are supposed to be in several thousand.
Even though they are not rare, their unique features and sociable nature makes them a special pet. Not to mention the spiky tail that knows how to catch public eyes.
They fall in a price range of $120 to $200. This disparity in cost depends on the age, size, sex, and coloration of Uromastyx Ocellata.
Despite the sanctions in Egypt and Sudan on the export of Uromastyx Ocellata, they are somehow able to draft their way into the market.
We have gathered some reputable online sellers of this species for you.
1. Backwater Reptiles
Cost: $199.99
Backwater Reptiles have a good reach and they never disappoint. They have a decent reputation as reptile sellers and strictly follow the provided delivery schedule. They promise medium-sized Uromastyx Ocellata with fascinating designs and colors. Their shipping procedure is safe and quick but limited to the USA.
2. Underground Reptiles
Cost: $124.99
They sell field-collected species with lava orange spots and a hint of white. Just select the preferred gender of your Uromastyx Ocellata and get a healthy one at your doorstep in a few days.
They offer international shipping on your chosen day while checking out. Overnight shipping is also possible within the US.
Basic care for Uromastyx Ocellata
Unlike other pets like dogs, Uromastyx never feels depressed for not getting enough walks or attention. They find their happiness in their enclosure.
On the one hand, when this relieves the burden from your shoulder, on the other hand, it puts a huge responsibility on the fulfillment of the requirements of their enclosure. They are some basic requirements that have a huge effect on the mood and health of your pet.
Are you wondering what these requirements are and what will suit your Uromastyx Ocellata the best?
Stay with us and you’ll have your answers in a few minutes.
Uromastyx Ocellata Lifespan
Uromastyx Ocellata hatches after an incubation period of around 8 weeks. There is little information to find a link between their lifespan and the living environment of the wild.
Their average lifespan in captivity is 20 years – It is A LOT since other sub-species of Uromastyx live for 15 years on average. To make it even more interesting, add another 5 years in the wild before captivity to get an average lifespan of 25 years.
Surprised? Anyone having a basic knowledge of lizards will. They hit puberty within 2-3 years and become ready for breeding.
You and your pet have plenty of years to cherish together.
Does Uromastyx Ocellata require any special care compared to other Uromastyx?
Not really!
They are low-maintenance pets and live healthy and happy with basic lizard requirements. Just like any other Uromastyx, there are several things to bear in mind.
They don’t fancy sharing their enclosure. Avoid keeping two or more Uromastyx Ocellata together to maintain a peaceful environment. However, some of them may feel compatible with the opposite gender of their kind.
Their enclosure should be a simulation of their natural habitat.
Think about the features of the desert.
Sunbathing, thermoregulation, landscape, food, and light are top of the list. Take care of these and it will be more than enough.
Are you wondering how to simulate the features of a desert in an enclosure?
Let us walk you through each requirement individually.
Tank requirement for Uromastyx Ocellata
We are talking about the home of your pet and there is a lot to take into account.
Tank Size
- Juvenile Uromastyx will feel home in at least a 20-gallon tank- Anything bigger than that is a bonus. However, if you’re planning on breeding them, then a tank of at least 30-gallon is a must.
- A 40-gallon tank is ideal for an adult Uromastyx Ocellata.
- To spice things up, add rocks with blunt edges and throw in some branches to keep them busy climbing them.
The size of the tank depends directly on the size of your pet. Uromastyx Ocellata is a medium-sized species and a standard sized tank like Exo Terra Glass Natural Terrarium Kit and Zilla Reptile Starter Kit will serve the purpose in all phases of their life.
Basking Bulbs
Like every other lizard, Uromastyx Ocellata requires territories of hot and cold temperatures in their cage. Establishing hot and cold sections in their tank is an easy task given that you use the appropriate basking bulb to control temperatures.
Proper heat management facilitates health benefits factors and defends against different types of diseases.
The basking spot should ideally be kept at about 105-115 °F, while the cooler spot should be kept at about 80-90 °F. Mercury Vapor bulbs are second to none in providing necessary radiation that promotes digestion to increase their activity.
Mega-Ray Mercury Vapor Bulb and MyComfyPets UVB and UVA Light are two big names of the game.
Substrates
What are the factors to consider while choosing the most suitable substrate?
This is where even a specialist pet owner fails.
All the fuss about substrates can be extremely confusing but we are here to simplify things for you.
Firstly, for a medium-sized lizard, a substrate with loose fine particles poses a constant risk of impaction. Even though ingestion of calcium sand can supplement calcium needs, too much of everything is as bad as too little.
Secondly, cleaning can be exhausting if it’s demanding too much time and effort. With the right substrate, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy daily.
The substrate with an optimum balance of sand and soil is the perfect match since it is similar to the desert sand – Just a lot safer!
Millets, Play-sand, newspaper, and liner are potential options. They all have their pros and cons but at least you don’t have to keep a constant watch on them.
Bedding Substrate Liner and Zilla Ground English Walnut Shells Desert Blend are tried and tested products with phenomenal results.
Uromastyx Ocellata Diet
Uromastyx Ocellata finds all their nutritional requirements in plants. It’s great news if you hesitate from getting into the hurly-burly of feeding insects.
They exhibit great flexibility in food choices and feed on a variety of vegetation in the desert. Such nature is always a blessing as it opens a lot of options for you.
Just drive by a nearby grocery store and grab green vegetables like escarole, kale, cabbage, turnip and mix it with peas, lentils, nuts, beans, and seeds. To put a cherry on top, dust the bowl with calcium and vitamin supplements.
Fruits like strawberries, cantaloupe, apples, watermelon, and peaches can work as a perfect seasoning for their plate. Not to mention how essential they are to complete their dietary requirements.
Does Uromastyx Ocellata Need Water To Drink?
Uromastyx Ocellata fulfills their water requirements using green plants, vegetables, and fruits. The dwellers of the hot and arid desert are more than happy with the moisture in their food.
However, if they are troubling you with food intake, do place a water source to compensate for the water requirements of their body.
Do you need to bathe your Uromastyx Ocellata?
You will get tempted to bathe your pet and see it sparkling clean.
But DON’T fall for it.
The residue moisture can cause infections and other health issues since these species are not prepared to be water-friendly while growing in arid conditions.
Common diseases of Uromastyx Ocellata
High Protein Diet
- High protein content in their food can be a threat to their liver and kidney.
- Avoid feeding excessive beans and other legumes.
- Strictly avoid the use of insect feeders in their diet.
MBD
- This condition results in the weakening of bones and the inability to function properly.
- Caused by an abnormal intake of calcium and Vitamin D3.
Refusing Food
- They tend to refuse food when their taste buds get bored with the same taste.
- Other potential reasons can be illness or change of season.
Wrapping Up
We hope that this article answered all your questions. If we missed out on something, let us know in the comments section.
Till then, take care, and have fun.