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I just today started looking and researching on the Uromastyx. If anyone could just give me some answers on these guys such as: Can you handle them?, Are they hard to maintain?, How much are they?

,aaron

I just today started looking and researching on the Uromastyx. If anyone could just give me some answers on these guys such as: Can you handle them?, Are they hard to maintain?, How much are they?

,aaron

you can handle them...they tend to be quite rambunctious though. as long as you hold them when young, they are pretty mellow as adults.

you can purchase mali uromastix for as little as $45, sometimes less. then the price goes up from there, with some of them being $300-400. just depends on what your lookin for.

as far as whether or not there hard to maintain.........there no leopard gecko, but they really aren't that hard, you just need to do lots of careful research before buyin one. spendin lots of time on this forum is a great way to learn about the most up to date info.

hope this helped

You'll find Uros similar in disposition to Beardies (had several myself). To me their up keep is actually less. Here on this forum we dicuss a lot of health issues, but don't get the wrong impression! Uros tend to be VERY hardy. They do have specific needs that will differ from your beardies. If I could give but one piece of advise.... Buy CAPTIVE BORN. It will save you a lot of potential headaches & heartbreak. Money well spent! Do your research...A good start would be www.deerfernfarms.com and www.urotopia.com
Both of these breeders are considered the most respected in the Uromastyx community.
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Jason
Blackdog Uromastyx Pics

n/p

thank you for all the advice it's much appreciated! -aaron

Aaron,

Rather than just giving a blanket ‘yes’ to your maintenance and handling question, I would like to suggest that you research the different species of uromastyx. Although all have similar husbandry requirements, some might be considered ‘better’ than others for first time uromastyx owners. Temperament can also differ not only in the species but also between sexes in specific species.
If you are looking for a recommendation on a great first uromastyx that is hardy and usually easy to handle, I would suggest a U. Maliensis (mali) - either sex. I am not saying that others are not possible, just that this would be my recommendation for a first time owner with the questions you asked: maintenance, handling, cost.

On a personal note- I do not believe that uromastyx are as easy to ‘properly’ maintain when compared to a lot of other reptiles out there on the market today. I have kept reptiles (snakes, geckos, beardeds, iguanas. frogs, turtles, tortoise…) off and on for over 20 years. I have had bearded dragons for the last 13 years and still have one that I purchased as a baby that is almost 12 years old. I would say that ‘I’ found it necessary to put in more time, money, and effort in uromastyx than I did in bearded dragons and most of the other reptiles I mentioned. Uromastyx are not extremely ‘difficult’ to keep, I just believe it takes more money and effort (than a lot of others) to get it ‘right’.
The requirements you have been seeing during your research: large enclosure size, maintenance of gradient temps, and specific diet, are extremely important when considering purchasing a uromastyx. My personal philosophy is that if you cannot afford a minimum 4x2x2 enclosure for the uromastyx, the equipment and cost of maintaining the ‘proper’ environment and diet, and the cost for unexpected vet trips, please do not purchase a uromastyx. A lack of any one of these things could lead to serious health problems and eventual failure.