Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering why it seems so difficult to find captive bred and born uromastyx? i would eventually like to get one but right now money and space just isnt good so ive been using the time i have to read up as much as i can about them and i noticed almost everywhere i look or go they r wild caught or imported specimen...why is that?

At least part of it is that uros are not easy or prolific breeders. Most people looking to breed something for a business wouldn't choose uros - they'd go for something like beardies that breed often and easily. Uros only clutch once a year and the eggs can be difficult to hatch out. Uros also have more persnickety care requirements (heat, enclosure size, diet, etc) that makes them more time-, money-, and space-consuming than other reptiles.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

ok i figured it had to do with them not being easy to breed but i was wondering...wen and if i buy one im makin sure im getting a 100% domestic captive born bred one...ive dealt with imported and wild caught lizards both at my job and one i was given as a gift...never again will i go through wat i went through with my imported frillie

Its not just the difficulty of hatching the eggs or the fact that they only produce at one time of the year, with species like Malis you have to hibernate them to get fertile eggs. This is quite involved. Also, the eggs can be ruined during the laying/burying procedure.

Haha,"persnickety"-that is a funny word, eltoro. But they ARE some "persnickety" little things, aren't they?!?!

Yeah, Torey, you are either giving away your age or you read a lot!

>>Yeah, Torey, you are either giving away your age or you read a lot!

Heh - probably both.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

That would make a good name for a lizard Torey, lol. We always used that phrase in my house growing up. As in don't be so darn persnickety. Just popped in to say Hi

Crispy

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PHEve / Eve

Another part of the equation is the availability and low cost of wild caught animals. It is not really cost effective for a large breeder to breed captive Malis or Saharans; those uromastyx species that are seldom or never imported are much more are available as captive bred. Of course they also cost alot more compare a $50 Mali at the local herp show to the cost of a captive born Morrocan. Also captive are not usually available year round- breeding is a seasonal business; imports are available at all times of the year. If you want to find a captive born Mali or Saharan wait to later into summer or early fall, after the eggs have hatched.

I am catching up on posts as I am new here. Your Uro is Beautiful. I love that expression. lol

Cheryl