Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i just cant decide which one to get. ive been looking to get another lizard for a while now. does any one know which i can handle more. i know where i can get either one and i already have a large enough cage for either. is either one a better choice in terms of health and care. i have some experience with lizards i have a bearded dragon and a true fire skink.
happy thanksgiving everyone!!!

oh and whats a good substrate for a mali. thanks

i'm not an expert, i'm actually just looking to getting a mali. to my knowledge a mali will be a little more handleable. for substrate i would read a couple posts down f/ robyn @ proexotics. i always assumed sand, there are some very good points made to the contrary. i would spend some time reading through lots of the posts here, i think i've read almost every one.

It really depends on A LOT of factors on which would be more suitable. How much space do you have for a tank? Uros need at least 50 gallons and leos need 10 gallons. Those are noth the minimums. As for being handled...if you do not get a CB uro they are not going to be very tame. The only CB uro i have is a 1 1/2 inch baby mali, so he cannot be handled at all. My WC uros are pretty skittish. My male Rico if i put him down freaks out and takes off. So i bought him a leash and he is very happy to be 'free'. My WC female is much better for beng handled BUT she will still try and run sometimes. Leopard geckos mostly 99% that have have seen are CB. They are extremly tame with regular handling and are a great pet i think. With my supervision i have had 2 year olds hold my leopard geckos, my uros at least my WC guys i wouldn't even attempt that. I have read books with my leos on my head or on my arm. My uros...well i have had them hang out with me but if i took my eye off them, they would leave. Please ask away and i hope you figure out the most suitable for you. As for substrate i have always used sand with no problem for uros over 6 inches. For under 6 inches i use paper towel. But i am going to try Robyn's mix soon, by the end of the weekend it will be setup!
Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions on either species, they are both great, it just depends on that you want. Also think about the diets of each. The uro a total vegitarian and then the leo which is pure insect matter. Since you have beardie the food for leos would be easy, but so is the uros bc it is just in the frige!
Good luck and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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Lauren
Leos and Uros
1.1 Saharan Uromastyx
0.0.1 Mali Uromastyx
1.1 Jungle Albino Leopard Gecko
1.1 Hypo/Baldy Leopard Gecko
1.1 Tremper Albino Leopard Gecko

Hi,
I've never had a leo, or any other kind of gecko, since I just can't feed them the live food...I'm a vegetarian, so I keep vegetarian pets I have 2 CB Malis, and both are very tame and calm. My male, who I have had for a year and a half, knows me very well and loves to come out and "snuggle" or dig under my arm or side and sleep, while I read. My female, who I just recently got, is pretty calm, but is alot more active than my male and likes to run more. I use millet seed as a substrate for mine, since they enjoy snacking on it, it's good for them, and it cna't cause impactions if swallowed. Since you have beardies you would have mealies (or crix) which you need for leos...unless you feed them bearded dragon pellets, which can be given to Malis as treats. Malis need a more "difficult" diet...which isn't that difficult but you know what I mean. They need a large variety of greens (collard, turnip, mustard, dandelion, clover, etc.) plus cactus and many veggies. They can only be fed live food as a rare treat, or not at all. Also, Malis need more room, and need hotter lights, as they like to run, get to be about 14"-16" and need a basking spot of 120F. But if you get a CB Mali, you will (most likely) have a wonderful pet lizard
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~Sarah
1.1 Mali Uromastyx (Draco and Pumpkin)
1.0 Russian Tortoise (Pookie)
8.11.22 Millipedes (9 different species)