>I prolly cant get one cause I'm 13 and I have parents who are already fed up with my other lizards.
I know the feeling so are mine.
>>How big do they get?
They'll probably get at least 12 inches long. It varies by sex.
>>What size enclosure do they need?
At least a 40 gallon breeder if not bigger, it depends whether you get hatchlings, juvies or full grown how big the enclosure is but usually it is at least a 40 gallon breeder.
>>How much and what do they eat?
They'll eat the same things as your bearded dragon. Mustard and Collard greens, endive, escarole, some fruits and other veggies. My mali and saharan uro's also eat Fluker's bearded dragon pellets that are red, but if you do get a hatchling don't give them any until they are a juvie.
>>Can they be handled any?
Yes they can be handled on a daily basis after you've had them 2 weeks (2 weeks is the adjustment period). Uromastyx are very docile more so than bearded dragons.
>>Do they bite, and are they aggressive?
Everything has the potential to bite someone or something. It depends on how you interact with your animal. Unless you are going to rescue an ornate then you should be good on getting one that doesn't bite.
>>What kind of cage setup do they need and what temp?
40 gallon breeder. If you get a hatchling use paper towel or newspaper as a substrate (lining/bedding) juvie or an adult you can use either bird seed with out sunflower seeds in it or washed play sand. 100-150 watt heat bulb is good. Temps should be in bask about 110* F at least and in the cool areas it should be at least 85-90* F. A couple of hiding areas are appropriate. Maybe some decorations like logs to play on and run under.
>>Any good sites with caresheets and maybe pictures?
Deerfernfarms.com Douglas Dix is the breeder there and he is very good about his reptiles. He has some very nicely colored ornates also. I suggest you email him some questions about the price.
>>Do you have any pictures?
Not on me right now I'm at a diff computer. I can if you leave your email, email you some pictures of my saharan uromastyx. They are also very pretty.
>>How good of a pet are they overall and give any hints about
them to help care for them.
Uromastyx in general are good pets. Very docile, some have lazy personalities like my mali who just like chilling on shoulders or chests others are a little hyper. It really depends on how well and how much you interact with them. The more you interact the more docile and calm they should be. This is my experience with these animals.
I try to hold all of my animals at least 1 time a day if not 2. I have a leo gecko, a bearded dragon, a mali uromastyx and 2 saharan uromastyx so I do have my hands full but I try to hold them all at least 1 time daily so they don't feel left out or "not loved" anymore.
>>One last thing, How much do they cost, and how much does the total cost, and how much does the total of food cost a week?
The cost depends greatly on the breeder you get your ornate from.
If you buy heads or bunches of collard and mustard greens along with endive and escarole a week you can split all of those foods between your bearded, and if you get an ornate, your ornate.
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GUY: You know I have a tendency to grow on people.
GAL: Yeah, so does fungus.
"Maybe there is no actual place called hell. Maybe hell is just having to listen to our grandparents breathe through their noses when they're eating sandwiches."