| Uromastyx are omnivorous which means they eat | | | | growth rates. |
| both animals and plants. Since we don't know exactly | | | | Most desert species are adapted to live without free |
| what they eat in the wild a wide variety of food | | | | water. Uromastyx ornatus comes from the Sinai |
| items should be offered. Young animals more readily | | | | Peninsula where it rains less than 2 inches per year. |
| accept insects such as wax worms, crickets, and | | | | Many species obtain moisture from the food they |
| super meal worms, which should be offered three or | | | | consume. There is evidence that some species, such |
| four times per week. | | | | as the Australian Moloch and North American horned |
| The following vegetables should be offered; kale, | | | | lizards, collect morning dew on their scales which is |
| collard greens, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, | | | | then channeled toward the mouth. |
| carrots, peas, corn, and green peas. In addition, | | | | Many herpetoculturists soak their Uromastyx |
| dandelion greens, alfalfa, grass, and flowers can be | | | | aegyptius in water and claim that the animal swells as |
| added to the diet. Beans such as split peas, lentils, | | | | it absorbs water. Whether the animal is actually filling |
| navy beans, and other should also be provided. Some | | | | up with water or only filling it's body cavity with air is |
| of these beans can be sprouted prior to feeding. Bird | | | | unknown. Considering that this is a desert species, |
| seed should also be mixed in with the vegetables. A | | | | soaking in water seems inconsistent with adaptations |
| reptile vitamin containing calcium should be sprinkled | | | | to arid conditions and could lead to respiratory |
| on the vegetables. Some of the commercial iguana | | | | infections if the animal does not thoroughly dry after |
| food can also be mixed in with the vegetables to | | | | soaking. Water can be provided infrequently in a |
| ensure better nutrition. | | | | bowl. The bowl should not be left for long periods in |
| There are some indications that nutritional needs are | | | | the cage or it can raise the humidity to possibly |
| not easily met for this genus. Several | | | | unacceptable levels. Baby Uromastyx ornatus will |
| herpetoculturists who are raising young Uromastyx | | | | drink water sprayed on the side of the cage. |
| aegyptius and Uromastyx acanthinurus report slow | | | | |