Reptile & Amphibian Forums

so i posted on here a few weeks back about cb ornate uros and i ended up getting a pair (not sure about the sexes as they're babies) from lll reptiles - they are from Bushmaster breeding...they are doing very well and seem to be getting more and more comfortable and active every day...they are eating nicely too...i ended up getting 2 and hoping that maybe they'll be a pair, but who knows...i just like the idea of more than one, i have 2 dogs, 3 tortoises, etc...one is 10 grams and the other is 12 grams...they do seem like they could stand to gain a little weight, but they are both eating plenty of greens and ground lentils/split peas...anyone ever give them or have any opinions on: ReptiMin Soft Gel food? It's made up of veggies and fruits and my torts like it alot...the Uros are also nibbling on the substrate which is finch seed (very small)...i like how easy it is to keep clean and i like that they can eat it...i am curious, do they urinate at all? Before i put them in the seed, i had them on paper towels for a few days and never noticed any urine, so i'm not sure...i gave them water once for about 2 hrs and they both drank a little, but that's it with the water and i'm still a little unsure about whether or not to ever soak them or give them water...there seem to be many conficting opinions...i have the 3 redfoot tortoises which are soaked for about 20 minutes every few days... but obviously Uros are desert animals which is way different from tropicals...these are my first uros and what a difference in energy level between the uros and the torts, although just about anything is more active than a tortoise. I plan on geting them a larger tank - probably about 48 x 24 x 18 in a few months...i think something closed like glass or acrylic is best to keep the heat in (i'm in NJ and it's tough in the winter to keep my torts warm in their enclosure - a 4ft x 5ft indoor pond without water). Any opinions on having the 2 and what to do if they're botth male or both female? When and how can i tell their sex? Well i'm going to continue to try to figure out how to attach pics of the uros, but at this point can't figure it out...any opinions or comments are welcome, thanks!

Andy

Congrats on the new arrivals. U need to read the care info on Deer Fern Farms web site about Uro's.

I am in NJ also... good luck with the temps!!! At least it is warm this week.

look fwd to seeing pics!
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150-200 tropical fish

3 African Clawed Frogs (1 olive and 2 albino)

Luca - male Ornate Uromastyx via Audrey Vanderlinden

- Mike
Morris Cty, NJ

- in memory of Magnus (male Uromastyx Macfadyeni)
he will always be my little boy

thanks! i've read deer farms and several others - care sheets and many posts about many different subjects...there are still many differing opinions on water and i'm not real clear on the matter of keeping ornate babies together long term...

Keeping animals together is always a challenge, as animals are like people, each having their own personality. Most of the time, you can keep a male/female pair together, or two females, and in some cases when they have been together since babies, two males IF there are no females. There are, however, some animals that can only be kept alone unless you are breeding them. Most of mine are in pairs or trios, and so far, I have had no problems, but that doesn't mean I won't. You have to monitor your animals carefully for changes in eating, behavior or any outward signs of aggession. Sometimes juvies start showing cage mate aggression when only a few months old. Always have a spare set up ready just in case. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules, just general guidelines. Every person on here who has multiples can give you a different opinion and share some of their experiences. Best of luck to you and congratulations on your new ornates. I have a female from Bushmaster that I got two years ago, she is a beauty and so friendly she crawls right up your arm any chance she gets to sit on my shoulder. Happy holidays.

Pam

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2.3 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado, Oro, Dora, Freckles & Amarillo)
1.1 varanus acanthurus acanthurus (Tabasco & Sprite)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba) RIP Ayana
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.1.2 u. a. aegypticus (Zahra Urbi, Halima & Sagira)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)

they are getting along great so far, but i have a spare tank in an emergency - i will monitor closely...i'm going to add a 2nd basking spot/cave in the warm area so they can have their own area if they want...also debating about adding an additional 100 watt basking light to increase the temp...i'm ok in the basking spot (115-120), but on the other side it is 75-78...night temp is ok at 73-75 (use a zoo med night bulb)...if i add the 100 w basking, i'll only do it for a very short time and monitor closely...don't want it to get too hot...Mike, where are you in Morris Co? I'm in Parsippany

you don't need a higher wattage bulb, you just need an elevated basking spot. we use 45 watt halogen floods and get 150F very easily. it is all about the setup. read about the Retes Stacks on our FAQ for more details.
PE FAQ on Retes Stacks for basking

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles