Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been eyeing out this egyptian at my LPS for about a year or more now. He is around 12" now and very healthy. I was just wondering what kind of "pets" they make. I want to be able to actually hold it and let it just sit on my shoulder and stuff. I know that they get really big so what would be a good enclosure size for them at this size and for the next couple years. Then what would be the size for a full grown one? Any specifics? Thank you

Chad

If it's an aegyptia and not something else, it will get very large. An adult should really be in a cage about 8 ft x 4 ft - and that's only for a two foot animal (they can get larger). At the present size you could do a 4 x 2, but it won't last long.

I do not own Egyptians so can't speak to specific personality, but uros as a general rule aren't lap lizards. They're active and curious, so don't sit still. A better lap lizard would be a bearded dragon, I think.
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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)

I have already done the bearded dragon thing and I do not like feeding the crickets and what not. I would rather have a vegetarian. If you don't think that egyptians are chill though I would galdly just get a mali. The only reason I was going to get the egyptian is because he has been there for a very long time and I could probably get him for very cheap. I would even rather start with a mali! I just don't like the site of that guy sitting in a tiny 40 breeder with a desert iguana. I was planning on building my own enclosure BTW. Oh yea and I have a while to make my decision. I was planning on just starting on the enclosure after the holidays and then going from there. So any opinions, tips, ...anything? Thank you for the response and sorry for the long post.

Chad

Another thing is how do you tell if it is a true egyptian? And what other speices could it be?

Chad

Hey Chad! Yes Torey is right on the size aspect. Males can get up to 30" plus but are awesome lizards. Egyptians also can be lap lizards however. Again, alot depends on the individual uro and species. Ornates, ca nbecoem very calm and sit on your shoulder or laps for hours, benti's......have ADHD LOL, egyptians have also been known to be fairly calm and laxed.
It depends how often it tolerates handling. Some duller female mali's may apepar to be juvie egyptians, though do a comparison on-line, also tail whirls counts. If you ca nget a photo and post it hear. I'm sure some here will accurately identify it for you.