Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been reading that uros shouldn't really be handled as it can cause stress and possible health problems. Is this true? I haven't gotten a uro yet and probably won't if I can't handle it often.
I was really hoping it would be similiar in temperment to a bearded dragon.

Uros are very interactive in the sense that they will eat out of your hand, sometimes follow you around, etc. A really socialized uro can be handled, as I have found with my adult, Taz, but I cannot sit and hang with him, because, despite their sluggish appearance, they move constantly when they are out of their cages, move very fast, and won't sit on your lap for long like a beardie will.

It depends on what you want. Taz sees me and begs to get out of his viv, so I take him out and let him cruise around now and then, but I watch him like a hawk, and though he doesn't run away from me or stress per se when I am holding him or am near him, I don't expect him to want to stay on me like the beardies do. But I love just being with him, and interacting with him. He eats flowers out of my hand and likes to have his head stroked. So, if you want another lap pet, get another beardie, but if you are open to a different kind of lizard/human relationship, then uros really are fun and engaging.

Thanks for the advice. I've had dragons before but would like something different. It had put me off when another forum I go to said no handling except for cage cleaning/going to the vet/etc...
I will be getting my baby in a week or two, I can't wait to get the little beastie home

Okay, and remember, we need pics just to make sure it is living up to the uro cuteness standards!

How are you going to set up its viv? Have you read some care sheets?

Yes, I've read lots of care sheets. I have a 4'X 2'X 2' custom wood viv I built a few yrs ago that used to house a beardie. I am going to use non slip shelving liner for the flooring until the uro is bigger then I will switch to bird seed.
I've got a 150watt flood light that gets the basking spot to 122*, a 3' long repti glo 8.0 UVB bulb with a ramp that is 6" from the bulb.
There will be two hiding caves, one on each end. Food will consist of dark leafy greens, flowers and crushed beans/lentils. Miner all every day and ground mazuri pellets every other day.

YAY! Someone who has done his homework!

What kind are you getting?

A mali, approximately 7 months old. I might go in this weekend and pick it up

I have 2 egyptians, 3 mali's. One egyptian likes to come out but only when he wants to, he will climb on me when I put my hand in to feed and even charge the front when he sees me sometimes then climb up my arm, but all the others hate to be touched and only one other than him will even accept treats from my hand on a regular basis. in fact 2 of them will run away even when putting food in or checking temps.And there are times when he does not want a hand in his cage without a flower or pea so I believe those with uros that like interaction and handling are lucky to get those individual uros. I feel lucky to have my braveheart uro, he is one in a million to me. Many people will say there is something wrong with a uro that likes to be held but he really doesn't like to be held as much as demand to get out and climb all over me then demand to be put back in so he can kick sand and dirt with his hind legs and reclaim his terrain. In my humble experience most don't want to be touched.

just to add: You can't pick him up if he doesn't want you to. You need gloves.

There's a Mali in the classified right now that is supposed to be dog tame.

Well, I am sure that the uros don't have any harder time with handling than a bearded dragon. I have both and my Uros certainly put up with it better than my beardies.

Most Uromastyx won't mind it at all. In fact, Omar, my large male Egyptian, actually comes to my hand and walks onto it when he wants to be taken out. He knows that when he is out he gets natural sun, a nice scratching on his chin and the usual treat of tortoise pellets.

I would suggest you get one, they are wonderful pets.

Phil