Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello and thanks again for all the help! Just yesterday, I got a Red Nigerian which I have named Tabasco for its color. Just to make sure, it needs to be 115 degrees F. right? Because the best light I can find only gets it to about 95. I want to make sure that it isn't way too cold. He dosn't seem to mind it, he is just as active as i have ever seen him in the store. Also, I need to know how to tell if it is male or female. Lastly, I need to know how to post pics. Thanks!

congrats on your uro. if no one has recommended it, check out deerfernfarms.com

uros need to have at least 120. i saw in a petstore the other day it had uros listed as 115-120. my guys have spots that go up to 130-135. the lower temps will eventually cause problems.

for lighting, i have a UVB bulb and then i just use halogen floodlights (not spot lights) from home depot. they get hot and aren't nearly as expensive so trial and error doesn't hurt the pocket so much. also try maybe raising the basking spot, as long as it is secure and the lizard can't get underneath of it.

as with any new animal, a fecal at the vet can't hurt

toward the top of the page, says photo gallery. using your same username and password, "open" a picture account. once you upload photos, when you post new messages, there will be a box for you to select them. if it won't let you upload your photos, try resizing them. maybe eve will post her picture posting instructions, they are better than mine
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vonnie

***Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde ***

Congrats.

Get those temps up! I've got a pair of Nigerians and love the little girls. They have two basking spots, one is 140f and the other is 120f. First thing in the morning they hop on the 140f for about an hour. After that they are on the 120f for the rest of the day.

Yep, I agree, AT LEAST 120F They need that to metabolize their food right, 95F isn't enough. They also need the UV-B so they can process calcium very necessary for development (like us.) Short them on either and even if you don't see it right away they will end up with health problems.
Unless you KNOW it is CB a fecal exam by a vet should be a priority. They will check for tapeworms and an overabundance of Nematodes. Many pet stores SAY theirs are captive bred, mine swore they only sold CB. They were wrong on both counts. Both had tapeworms, and one had too many nematodes.
As for sexing them it's a bit tricky because it's not always obvious. The line of dots on their underbelly by their vent is the key. Males will have protrusions, females will have indents. A very strong magnifying glass would be handy.
Good luck, enjoy, and I hope to see those pics soon!!
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**Kenn**

>>Hello and thanks again for all the help! Just yesterday, I got a Red Nigerian which I have named Tabasco for its color. Just to make sure, it needs to be 115 degrees F. right? Because the best light I can find only gets it to about 95. I want to make sure that it isn't way too cold. He dosn't seem to mind it, he is just as active as i have ever seen him in the store. Also, I need to know how to tell if it is male or female. Lastly, I need to know how to post pics. Thanks!

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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Sorry - my message got goobered somewhere in the posting. I was trying to post that Nigerians (Saharans/geyri) are pretty easy to sex once they start getting their adult colors. Males are generally brighter colored with a bright belly - red with black stripes. Females are usually less colorful overall with a creamy belly with maybe hints of color or striping. Some will still trick you, but mostly you can tell this way. The previous pictures are my pair.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)