Posted by:
doublemom
at Sun Jul 6 15:46:00 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by doublemom ]
Be sure to do a lot of research before actually getting a Uro. They're mostly known as a "look at me" pet, not really able to be handled a lot like you would be with a bearded dragon. Some people do handle them daily, but for me the problem with that is it takes them away from their heat source for too long. If you hold a Uro and it's all cuddly, it's not because it's tame, but because it's freezing and will snuggle up to anything remotely warm to try to regulate it's body temperature. Also, keep in mind that the recommended size enclosure for one uro is 4' x 2', and your monthly power bill will take a big jump because of all the heat and lighting required to keep them at the proper temperature gradient.
One last thing I would really really advise is to NOT get a Uro from a pet store. There are horror stories about how Uros are in such bad conditions at pet stores, and there is a general consensus among serious Uro owners to not promote Uros at pet stores because of the horribly negligent care they get there. You'd be much better off purchasing a Uro from a reputable breeder, you'll end up with less health problems and vet bills in the long run. Don't think that just because you can get a Uro from a store for $80 it's a good deal, not when you factor in all the health problems from being kept in despicable conditions while at the store. Count on spending a good $500 or more for an appropriate size enclosure, the heat and lighting requirements, and vet bills to check for and treat parasites. Also, do NOT believe anything that pet stores tell you about Uro care, 99% of the information they give out is plain wrong. Just read through this and other Uro forums and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Hope that helps out. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just trying to realistically let you know what all is involved in keeping a Uro healthy and happy, and that it's not really a hands-on type of animal. If you want something that you can handle and snuggle with, a Uro is definitely not it, especially for a young child.
Andi
Edited on July 8, 2008 at 22:38:21 by PHGinger.
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RE: Looking for Information About a Uromastyx - doublemom, Sun Jul 6 15:46:00 2008