I have kept both types of reptiles and am somewhat familiar with each species. My main area of husbandry is with dragons although. Most of my reply I am making with simple logic and from past experiences. I am not telling you how you should keep your reptiles, only trying to show a few points why it is unsafe to house them both together.



You: 1-“Although from two different continents, both animals have very similar care requirements (not including diet).“

ME: 1A – “two different continents” wood be exactly the reason why they should not be put together.



You: 2-“Both animals thrive and gain weight whil living in the same enclosure then there is obviously nothing wrong with either animal.”

ME: 2A- Just because they gain weight does not mean they are healthy. What if there was a fight and one of them got some internal hemorrhaging?



You: 4-“Tail rot in the uros has not been a problem.”

ME: 4A- Might want to check the Uro forum’s around the net on that one. I have read posts about it and I am sure there is 100 times that amount that we do not hear about. Dragons need some moisture, how do you keep it separate?



You: 5-“Both species are given proper diet. When I put crix in the cage my uro will only eat a few.”

ME: 5A – You talk about proper diet, yet you feed your Uro’s crickets. Uro’s are vegetarians and should have almost no live prey. If you do feed them prey, cricket’s wood be my last choice for it. Live prey will only stress a Uro out if something is already wrong with it.



You: 6-“Both poop on a regular and correct basis.

ME: 6A – And both are in contact with fecal matter from each species. Uro’s are VERY susceptible to Coccidia. Dragons have a certain level of Coccidia as a natural gut flora. It can be passed through fecal matter and is there for a Uro to be exposed to.



You: 7-“A multi-level basking spot solves the problem of temperature requirements.”

ME: 7A- Adult dragons need a basking temperature of at least 105 degrees. Some species of Uro’s need a basking temperature of 130-150 degrees. Do you think it is safe for a dragon to be exposed to such high temperatures? Uro’s are made for that kind of high intensity heat and need it to survive, it wood only cause death to a dragon.



You: 8-“All animals are dewormed twice before introduced into the same enclosure.”

ME: 8A – Crickets are a known carrier of many types of worms and diseases. I think the de-worming might be the least of your problems with all the bacteria that can be passing between the two lizards.



Just thought I wood drop a few reasons why they should not be kept together.

Good luck,

Steve

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