Feeding Uromastyx

Uromastyx are omnivorous which means they eat both animals and plants. Since we don't know exactly what they eat in the wild a wide variety of food items should be offered. Young animals more readily accept insects such as wax worms, crickets, and super meal worms, which should be offered three or four times per week.

The following vegetables should be offered; kale, collard greens, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, and green peas. In addition, dandelion greens, alfalfa, grass, and flowers can be added to the diet. Beans such as split peas, lentils, navy beans, and other should also be provided. Some of these beans can be sprouted prior to feeding. Bird seed should also be mixed in with the vegetables. A reptile vitamin containing calcium should be sprinkled on the vegetables. Some of the commercial iguana food can also be mixed in with the vegetables to ensure better nutrition.

There are some indications that nutritional needs are not easily met for this genus. Several herpetoculturists who are raising young Uromastyx aegyptius and Uromastyx acanthinurus report slow growth rates.