I have an Egyptian named Mosca that I bought from Lindsey Pike almost 7 years ago. He is 19 - 20 in long, and I have no idea how much he weighs, but you certainly know you are picking something up. I have enjoyed keeping him. I had heard that the Egyptians were somewhat "gentle giants", and tended to be friendlier than some of the other species. My experience is that the Mali I had previously was more interested in interaction, at least until recently, which isn't to say that Mosca is mean, he certainly isn't, he just preferred his own company. As he has gotten older he has settled down a bit, and will now come to the door to his enclosure to be pet for a minute or two before going to eat his dinner. Things such as taking him outside on a leash to get some sun have just not been possible. It has only been very recently that I have experimented with letting him wander my "lizard proofed" living room, which leads me to a word of warning.

If you have larger reptile experience then this is unnecessary, but if you don't, think very, very carefully about the percentage of your home you are willing to dedicate to your pet. People are often surprised at what a large terrarium he currently has, and I know that it should really be at least half again as large, if not twice as large as it currently is. Also, I have found that dealing with a reptile even as large as Mosca can be significantly more challenging than the Malis. Simply because the Egyptians are too big to secure with one or two hands. Mosca is STRONG, and on the occasion he and I disagree on goals (such as when the fire alarm goes off in my complex and I have to wake him up)he requires focus to coerce.

With all of that said though, I have gotten great enjoyment from Mosca and there are always new things to learn, tweak, and improve in his husbandry. Plus when I tell people what kind of pet I have, it is almost always a conversation starter - even among other reptile keepers.

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes (May he rest in peace)
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0.1 Common Garden Snail
Madison, Wisconsin

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