Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings all!
New lurker and poster as well. I checked both the uro and chuck forums and there's not a lot of activity there, so I figured I'd start here.
I've owned tons of animals over my 49 years of life and while I have ferrets, dogs, cats, bird, fish and a tortoise now, I'd like very much to add a largish lizard. I checked out the usual beardies and geckos and such and while interesting, I've always got to be a bit off the beaten path. My parrot is an Eclectus, my dogs are Bouviers. It's just part of what I like.
So, I'm down to uros or a chuckwalla. Locally, I have both malis and chucks available, so I'm asking: which is better for a newcomer? I've read as much as I can find and while like everything else on the internet there is much disagreement, seems like these two are unusual, friendly, easy to begin with and eat primarily greens.
So which are easier on the newbie? Which are more forgiving to someone just getting into lizards? I've been very lucky with my desert tortoise as he literally walked into our lives and house five years ago and knowing zero about them, he's thrived over that time. We now have him outside all year long in a large 20x25 pen.
I'd like to keep this guy inside, naturally. Space is no problem and neither is funds to feed or house. My better half is just as into this addition as I am, so she's excited about our newcomer.
Love to hear some opinions and suggestions. TIA!

All my experience has been with Uros. Never had an opportunity to acquire a chuck as they are not commonly available in my neck of the woods.

From what I understand, their husbandry is pretty darn similar. Either way, you're going to have a moderately-sized fat lizard who likes it hot and dry, and is a herbivore. The main question is: do you want it to have a spiky tail, or a long, smooth one? (lol)

Personally, if you have an opportunity to keep a chuck, go for the chuck. Not many have them readily available, as I could count on one hand the number of people breeding them in captivity. It would be nice to see more people keep them.

That's pretty much my thoughts as well. I really like the colors and personalities (or what folks have said the species basic personality will be) of uro's and chucks. It certainly seems that uro's are more colorful and honestly, with no experience and no skin in the game yet, I can let that fact sway me. However, I like the fact that they are both allowed and available in the state where they are native. That's unusual. I basically can't own anything else native legally. The Police State of California is like that.
So I'm going tomorrow to check both the mali's and the chuck out locally. After all, I'm not limited to only one!

Thanks for the quick response.
-----
NorCalAl
On the Ridge
Ferrets (Felon), dogs (Iris, Baxter, Banger), Eclectus (Merlin), Desert Tortoise (Cartman)
Not enough computers, cameras, time!

Got a young chuck today!! He is just the friendliest little guy...little being subjective. He's around 9" long and just active and happy. Already eating in his new home.
Couple of questions...The seller, who's very well respected and recommended, suggested very strongly a heat rock...er, cave. I did get it, but haven't plugged it in. I got a heat and UV double fixture for above, setting it on my 29g tank. I keep reading that heat rocks are a terrible idea... your thoughts, please! It gets COLD here in the winter and our rooms often drop into the mid-low 30's. Though I'm home all day, I don't mind it at all and I'm not keen to run $500 electric/gas bills, so I leave it cold. During those months, could the heat rock be an advantage?
Any other suggestions ya'all might have, I'm interested to hear!
-----
NorCalAl
On the Ridge
Ferrets (Felon), dogs (Iris, Baxter, Banger), Eclectus (Merlin), Desert Tortoise (Cartman)
Not enough computers, cameras, time!

NO HEAT ROCKS!

As long as you have the proper lighting (heat & UV), there is no need for a heat rock. Remember that it naturally gets a little chilly at night in the wild, even in the hot areas where these lizards hail from.

If you are really concerned about nighttime temps, get either a low-wattage infrared heat bulb or an undertank heater just to be one at night.

Hot rocks are a very unnatural way to provide warmth to lizards, and they can malfunction and burn the animal. Just put a real stone or block directly under the heat lamp, and this will be fine. Even a piece of slate or a cinder block will work.

Thanks for confirming what I already thought was true. Since I wrote that post, I've read much on them and none of it positive. I'm going to return the rock and the light fixture.
I moved him to a 40g breeder today - 6" longer, 6" wider, 6" shorter. I really like it, especially as compared to the 29g. Petco had the their tanks on sale today for $1/gal. So their normally $110 40g was ...$40. Very cool.
I'm going to return the twin bulb fixture for a 36" florescent fixture for the UV. Got a tall ceramic for the heat today and will turn the cave in for another smaller ceramic for the night heat.
He ate very well today and seems to be moving back and forth between the hot left side of the enclosure and the cooler right side. I'm hoping all this means he's content with the new setup.
-----
NorCalAl
On the Ridge
Ferrets (Felon), dogs (Iris, Baxter, Banger), Eclectus (Merlin), Desert Tortoise (Cartman)
Not enough computers, cameras, time!

Another light I like is the mercury vapor bulbs. For a 40 gal, all you would need is one 160 watt bulb, and this covers heat and UV. Its what I use on my uros and tortoise.