My Uro is about 5 inches long. I just got him this week....his enclosure is sand-but he keeps getting sand all in his nose-like actually caked around his nostrils. Also, no matter what I do-he is kicking sand ALL over his food-which is raised-within minutes of me putting it in there. Is he too young to be on sand? If so, when do I change him over to sand? Also, he really like to burrow-if I put carpet down-he cant do that...will that make him unhappy??
If your Uro is under 7 inches in overall length, it should not be on sand, it should be on papertowels, newspaper, tile or butcher paper. Once it is over 7" long, you can then move it onto washed/sifted playsand, millet seed or my personal favorite Pool Filter sand. As for him/her getting sand all over his/her food, make a raised feeding area .... Use a piece of slate with bricks to make an area that is above the sand for him/her to eat on, this also will give you another hide. Here is a pictures of how our feeding area is raised above the sand:
I would definately not use sand on a Uro that small - I've used non-adhesive shelf liner with my Uro for a couple years with great sucess, Tile also works very well. As far as being unhappy - as long as you have the correct type of hides (low, narrow and secure) and proper basking temps (120-130degrees) then your Uro will be happy even if he cant burrow. If and when you do switch over to sand, an elevated "eating station" like the ones pictured above are excellent.