Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm interested in getting a uromastyx. We currently have 2 bearded dragons they are great with my son (6) and wondering with type would best suit us? Is it better to get a baby or one a little older? Is the set up similar to my dragons? I have tile on the bottom. All info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

www.deerfernfarms.com
They have an excellent care sheet. In most people's opinions, Mali uromastyx are a better beginner species, and adults are easier to care for than babies. As for their set ups being similiar to beardies, I'm not sure. I only know uros. Someone else may be able to help you out more with that.

Bri

Yoshi going through a shed

Wow, nice photo. I wish I had a photo scanner to upload actual photos instead of cell phone pics!

Do you have him on playsand? Do they like that? because my lil Jacques is on a millet seed mix (Doug recommended that) but I know they like to burrow. Would you reccomend I switch to play sand?

By the way, i REALLY like the name Yoshi, it's really cute. Did you name him after the little dinosaur yoshi from Mario Bros?
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1.1 Bearded dragons (Kunja and Lily)
1.0 Algerian Uromastyx (Jacques)

Thank you for your advice!

I have two beardies also and just got a young uro. They all get along great.. the male was a little skeptical at first of the little uro but now they are all buddies. They love to cuddle and sleep together at night. the uros are supposed to be kept separate from the beardies, especially b/c the bigger beardies might mistake the little uro for food. Go to Deer fern farms . com and you can read everything about uros. I got my algerien from Doug Dix. he's the best and if you have any questions you can email him or call him!
The only major differences with the uros are as follows:

- they like to hide more than the beardies, so you must provide low hide boxes for them, they love to burrow
-they need to be kept at higher temps than beardies (beardies 85 to 115) Uros need a basking spot of at least 120!!
-uros do NOT get fed insects, it may say this on Doug Dix's site but if you ask him he'll say no, he hasn't had time to change the info. He captures them from the wild and breeds them so he knows best(he even has his PhD)!
-uros are fed primarily veggies! you can read about how to mix their veggies, what kind and what vitamins to give on deerfernfarms.com.
- Uros are SOFTER than beardies b/c their backs are not spikey they have chubby cheeks and are absolutely ADORABLE! they love to snuggle and nestle into ANY part of you!
(Mine is a very good climber and he loves to jump from high places where beardies will climb down!)
-you might want to put bird seed on the bottom of the cage or carefresh fluff, something because the tile will file down their nails and it'll be harder for them to climb on screening, wood etc. The uro will have trouble walking and will scurry all funny on the tile!

You can make a cage out of plywood, window screening and collected wood from outside, make sure the wood isn't rotted and I shave off any old bark and SOAK it well for a long time in hot water and a mild bleach solution. my uro loves to climb up on the screen walls, they also like rocks and firewood to hide in on the bottom of the cage.

good luck! and don't forget to check out Doug Dix's site, it has everything!
~kristen

I don't have a photo of my uro on here yet, I'll have to post one soon, these are my beardies!

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1.1 Bearded dragons (Kunja and Lily)
1.0 Algerian Uromastyx (Jacques)

Thank you for your advice!

hi there
not berating you, just a little confused. do you keep your uro in with the beardies, even though you said it was not good to do that? aside from fighting other problems can arise like giving "bugs" to each other. ok i just needed some clarification
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vonnie
***The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.
— Mark Russell***

No, my uro has a completely separate cage from my male and female beardies.. but they do like each other. Sometimes the uro escapes and I find him sound asleep cuddled up next to my female! I know they arent supposed to have contact, but they do like each other and it's hard cus it's so cute. --But my uro for the most part (rare times when he gets out)is in his own cage all day. At night he might say 'hi' to the beardies, they sleep on our pillow, but the uro has his own separate bed (in a clementine box and I even made him a little quilt) on the night table. So they sleep separate too. (yeah I'm a little obsessed)

--Doug dix said not to have them in contact with each other cus the beardies can give the uros something... i forget what it's called.
It's just hard not to let him explore around the bedroom once in a while, he's so inquisitive!, he likes going up to the beardies and hangin out with them...My two are very tame and tolerant.. but I know I shouldn't let him!

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1.1 Bearded dragons (Kunja and Lily)
1.0 Algerian Uromastyx (Jacques)

Thank you for your advice!