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So I have been thinking of getting a uro and have a few questions before I go ahead and purchase one. First I have read that there are two different types of egyptian uros, don't remember the name of them, but from what I read one gets larger then the other?? any truth to this? Also in uro's which sex gets bigger? males or females? Lastly whats the general temperament of egyptian uros? I like them because they get big, but not too big. If some of you could post pics too I would appreciate it. Thanks.
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---------------I Fear two things in life.......My God and My WIFE!

1.0 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Black Pine Snake
0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.2 Dogs
2.0 cats
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First I have read that there are two different types of egyptian uros, don't remember the name of them, but from what I read one gets larger then the other?? any truth to this? Also in uro's which sex gets bigger? males or females? Lastly whats the general temperament of egyptian uros?

Subspecies microlepis (Arabian) are generally from the Eastern parts of their range, and aegyptius from the Western (continental Africa) portion of their range. Males average larger in most uromastyx, including Egyptians. Ocellateds are an exception where males are smaller.
In my experience, the Egyptian personalities seem to vary wider than other uro species. I have big puppydog types that genuinely seem to enjoy contact with humans and sitting on me for long periods. Or hatchlings that will run to your hand. But some are more nervous and fear even a hand with food entering the cage. especially from above (obviously instinct to avoid avian predators). I can recall seeing cattle tanks full of 20-30 inch imports years ago that were the scariest uros ever. I feared not just the tails as they were gaping and hissing and threatening to bite alligator snappers. I think young ones tame easier.
As usual, a REAL captive-bred one should be more accustomed to people, handling, pets, televisions, etc but don't beleive every cb claim you hear. 90% BS. maybe 99
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Lindsay Pike
Urotopia Uromastyx

Thanks for the advice. A few more questions, I have read that one adult uro needs a6ft long by 2ft by 2ft. Is this a good size? Also how do egyptians do kept togeather as male/female pairs? Lasty can some of you post pics of your egyptians and cages for them. Any other info anyone else think I need?
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---------------I Fear two things in life.......My God and My WIFE!

1.0 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Black Pine Snake
0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.2 Dogs
2.0 cats
0.1 Wife

Good for you taking the initiative to do all your research first. What is awsome about this forum, is the availability of persons such as Lindsay, Doug, & John C. to provide the rest of us with years of knowledge with these animals.
In addition, there are short time hobbists such as myself chiming in.
Here is my advice, I would not advise keeping Egyptians together unless you have a very large area for their enclosure. I have seen very aggressive behavior that could cause secondary stress to a recessive Uro at the very least. The worst would be some incredible damage to either animal.
I, like you, am a fan of the Egyptians. I have had mine for going on 6 years, and although that size also increases the amount of food required, the size of the enclosures, and the magnitude of damage inflicted by a upset animal, I still like them the best.
Good luck
Ed

6x2x2 will be good until about a year old when the Uro will be about 12" long or therabouts.
My experience is that they grow relatively quick in the first year under good circumstances.
>>Thanks for the advice. A few more questions, I have read that one adult uro needs a6ft long by 2ft by 2ft. Is this a good size? Also how do egyptians do kept togeather as male/female pairs? Lasty can some of you post pics of your egyptians and cages for them. Any other info anyone else think I need?
>>-----
>>---------------I Fear two things in life.......My God and My WIFE!
>>
>>
>>1.0 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
>>1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
>>1.0 Black Pine Snake
>>0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
>>0.2 Dogs
>>2.0 cats
>>0.1 Wife

you said that a 6x2x2 will be good for a year, after a year what is the recomended cage size? So it looks like I will not be keeping them in the same cage if I get a pair. Currently I am only looking at getting one, Maybe I will aquire another one later down the line. How large do they actually get? I have heard 3 ft? and how thick would you say they get? They look like stocky little guys! I have no problem with the size they may get, fact is thats why I like them, I had a Iguana for years when I was a kid and found her to be very interesting and fun. Now that I have my own place I would like another Large lizard, but not a iguana. Although from what I have read egyptian care is not too much different then a iguanas, minus humidity and some other stuff. I have gone to the deer farms website and read their care sheet and stuff. couple of questions though. What do you use as substrate for your epytains? and can you post some pics of your setup that you have yours? Thanks again for all the help.

-Robert
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---------------I Fear two things in life.......My God and My WIFE!

1.0 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Black Pine Snake
0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
0.2 Dogs
2.0 cats
0.1 Wife

Since you are familiar with green Iguanas, I think a fair reference would be similar in bulk to a med female Iguana, albiet with a much shorter tail.
I keep mine on playsand and the hatchlings on paper towels.
I think that 3ft individuals are on the very large size.
I think on average 30" is a adult topping out on the length..not an absolute.
I keep mine solitary.
I do have some images on kingsnake photogallery under this username.
I wish that all my cages were a little bigger, but...real estate in Ca is expensive.
The cage in this picture is 6x2x2. I kept my first egyptian in it for about a year.
During the summer they get an outdoor cage for a portion of the summer.
Ed

>>you said that a 6x2x2 will be good for a year, after a year what is the recomended cage size? So it looks like I will not be keeping them in the same cage if I get a pair. Currently I am only looking at getting one, Maybe I will aquire another one later down the line. How large do they actually get? I have heard 3 ft? and how thick would you say they get? They look like stocky little guys! I have no problem with the size they may get, fact is thats why I like them, I had a Iguana for years when I was a kid and found her to be very interesting and fun. Now that I have my own place I would like another Large lizard, but not a iguana. Although from what I have read egyptian care is not too much different then a iguanas, minus humidity and some other stuff. I have gone to the deer farms website and read their care sheet and stuff. couple of questions though. What do you use as substrate for your epytains? and can you post some pics of your setup that you have yours? Thanks again for all the help.
>>
>> -Robert
>>-----
>>---------------I Fear two things in life.......My God and My WIFE!
>>
>>
>>1.0 Leucistic Texas Ratsnake
>>1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
>>1.0 Black Pine Snake
>>0.1 Albino Pacman Frog
>>0.2 Dogs
>>2.0 cats
>>0.1 Wife

Ocellateds males are "smaller"? That contradicts our pair.
Your buds,
D&L.

>>> Ocellateds males are "smaller"? >>>

That's been my experience and that of a few other breeder/keepers, but the overall numbers have been pretty small so I should probably hesitate to make statistical conclusions. Data from captive groups or wc imports could easily be skewed. I've seen fewer of those imported than any other of the uro species that have come into the USA, just a few shipments of 25 and one of 50 in a 10 year period. The "Egyptian type" of ocellateds appear to run a couple inches bigger than the more colorful dwarf Sudan type but the males were smaller among those also.
Maybe I should just call it an unproven hypothesis for now. I sure would like to hear from European keepers on this, or anyone who has read any comments in the scientific literature.
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Lindsay Pike
Urotopia Uromastyx