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Is it possible to house different species of uro together? Other than the usual concerns of parasite/disease issues or stress, I was wondering if any experienced uro keepers house different species together. More specifically, looking to house malis and nigers together. I would rather have on REALLY big cage than a couple of big cages LOL!!

>>Is it possible to house different species of uro together? Other than the usual concerns of parasite/disease issues or stress, I was wondering if any experienced uro keepers house different species together. More specifically, looking to house malis and nigers together. I would rather have on REALLY big cage than a couple of big cages LOL!!

I do not mix species, though some people do. If one of the species were Egyptian it would be a definite NO, as the larger lizard can easily injure or kill the smaller. I don't recommend it since they ARE different species, regardless of how much they seem alike to us. There could be differences in stressors and body language that could lead to fighting or illness due to dominance issues.

The big thing that sticks out to me, though, is that you're concerned about cage space. That's fine, but remember you cannot just put a newly acquired animal in with what you already have. I have learned the painfully hard way that you MUST have a quarantine period of at least one month and you're better off with three months. I seriously can't stress this quarantine enough. To do that, you need a full sized second cage anyway. If you end up trying to put the two together after that, then at least you'll have the second setup in case you need to separate them later (or a hospital cage if one gets ill or injured).

My two cents.

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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1.3 Saharan Uros (Joe, Arthur, Hitch, Lefty, and Skywalker)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.3 Collared Lizards (Ripcord, Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Good points on the stressors and quarantine issues, and that is a MAJOR issue with me right now with uros in general. A lot of sick WC stuff out there in general. My first uro experience (nigerian) was dismal. She was set up properly in a four x two foot cage with UVB/heat basking light and a basking temp around 110-120 degrees. She never really ate and died within a couple of months. My second experience is great, and so far so good on my third acquisition (both malis). I just thought it might be pretty cool to have a couple of similar sized uros that were different looking housed in one extra big elaborate cage. Instead of several four x two foot cages, have one big eight by four footer with multi-level basking areas/light placements and room to really landscape. I quess its just wishfull thinking LOL!!