I know I'll probably get some flack for this, but I have to just throw out there that my male chuck and male uro are thriving as cage mates. They are also accompanied by a pair of young collared lizards. Unexpectantly the uromastic is ALWAYS around the chuck, as in basks on his back and craddles up under him when they sleep. Chuck Norris (whos tears cure cancer, but too bad he never cries), seems indifferent to the pesty uro, but neither have ever shown any signs of the remotest aggression to one another, plus they are both eating their best that I have seen yet. They are housed in my pride and joy, a 6' by 4' by 4' cage with a rockwall that took me a month of solid work to build. This allows for three seperate basking spots, and ample floor space (rarely used). To my suprise at least the chuck and uro are always under the same lamp, while the collareds are running up and down throughout the cage and basking sites. I am not being naive in my assumptions, as it has been winter break for the last week and I have enjoyed many an hour watching the community tanks' inhabitants. All of its' residents come out each day to bask ( in they're seperate 4 foot cages this was not always the case), and all are eating, whether it be their crickets or various greens. I have even seen the uro take a leaf of mustard greens from the chuck's mouth. I was advised not to put two species from such different locales together, and believe me I am in no way forcing this. When I first put them together (opposite sides of the cage) I was expecting to have to take the uro back out, but after a few tense tail licks and what not, the matter seemed to have been settled. The collareds are also fine, although at first their antics would occasionaly startle the uro, they now jump onto his head with little reaction.
I don't want people to think of me as a careless keeper, but at least for these particular individuals there have only been improvements in appetite and activity level since their introduction to the new community cage. I have taken some pictures of them all and the cage, but I need to wait for my sister's card reader to come home so I can get them online. Feel free to respond to this with comments, questions or concerns.
Gooday,
Erik
