Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been keeping snakes and I'm starting to look at lizards. Here what I'm looking for:

1. Simple and hardy (can tolerate temps in the low 70's on the cool side of the cage, doesn't need constant high humidity, etc.)

2. omnivorous or vegitarian (I just don't want to have a constant cricket farm going on in my apartment). Are there any carnivors that can live on f/t mice with occasional insects?

3. relatively small (something that would fit in a 36" cage)

4. handleable, and not fragile. And something that won't take my hand off at the wrist, please

So far I've I think a plated lizard and a crested gecko fit the bill. I'd love to get a uromastyx, but I'm afraid what my electric bill would look like with the heat they require. And I'm afraid what would happen to it if my power went out in winter (I'm in Ohio). I also really like the spiney lizards, but it seems like they're all insectivors. Are there any others I should be on the lookout for?

Uromastyx aren't that bad when it comes to heating requirements. I have a 100w UV-A/B spot lamp, at 12" it keeps the temp right near 120. As far as them taking cooler temps, that's not a real problem either. For breeding purposes they need a couple winter months at near 50f and don't have a problem with lower 70's. They are just more active when they're warmer, not that they're really that active except at climbing walls for exercise. They can be fed a vegetarian/herbivore diet prefering dark green veggies.
Check out the links I have here in the message about a Uros "wild side". They tell about Uros in their native environment.
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**Kenn**