Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are there any smaller uros out there? I am really interested in keeping a vegetarian herp and uros are so cute.

I understand that they require high basking temps, but are there any exceptions to the rule?

If not, wht about alternatie species? No crested geckos please.

I understand most herbivorous herps are large, but are there any that are smaller?

Some of the smaller species (Somali, Sudanese, or Arabian) are around 10-12", but even the smallest uros need quite large cages compared to other lizards of similar size, due to the temperature requirements (4' x 2'). So if you want a small critter because of space concerns, a uro might not be a great choice. All of those species tend to be pretty expensive, too, relative to some other uros.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.2 Saharan Uros (Joe, Arthur, and Hitch)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.2 Collared Lizards (Ripcord, Thiamine, and Riboflavin)
1.0 Green Anoles (Sprocket)
1.1 Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Although price is certainly a factor, i dont consider it to be an overwhelming decision maker.

However, one thing that seems to put me off in regards to uros, is their requirement of basking lamps.

If i were to use an under tank heater and crank up the heat really high, would it be an ok substitute?

I also dont have a problem supplying a 4x2 foot cage

An undertank heater cranked up that high to achieve the ambient temperature of about 120 degree could be dangerous and may cause burn. Plus there is a risk of fire when you do that. And overhead heatlamp is more natural; in the wild they bask in the sun getting heat up from the UV rays of the sun from above. It's much easier if you have an enclosed cage with two small vents and sliding doors on the side; this way it's easier to get the basking temp up high without using the higer wattage bulb. You'll have to use a much higher wattage bulb to achieve the same temeperature with a screen top cage.

Heat pads tweaked up that high could get shorted out and cause a fire.

Ya, see, the high heat requirement is the main thing that puts me off when it comes to uros, thats the only downside.

Do you know of any herbivorous herps that dont require such high heat temps? I was thinking prehensile tailed skinks, but theyre hard to come by

How about a Cyclura? I always wanted to get one of those.

Tortoises are great, too. I like the Russian tortoises, red footed and yellow footed tortoises, herman tortoises, golden greek tortoises and maybe other European and other tortoises that I have not mentioned.

Haha no iguanas, im afaid they definately will not match my space requirements.

Tortoises are also really cute except I think it would be difficult to setup an outside enclosure for them here. Where i live it is really humid and i dont wanna kill them.

As you can see i dont have very flexible constraints, i guess i have nothing more to do other than wait until my environments change.

Well, if you have an enclosed cage with sliding door on the side, it's not that hard to keep up the temperature. It's fairly easy actually during the summer. :]

I also came to the realization that when i go on vacation, veggie lizards might not be a good idea because its not liek i can leave a bowl of veggies for my duration as the will most likely get moldy,

Ill just have to keep searchig for my answers.

Thanks for your help though!

Aaah. But that's where you're wrong. Uro will eat dry lentils and split peas and seeds. I usually leave bowl of lentils out for my female and she just loves it. She put on a lot of weight on that stuff and also on Super Veggies, a supplement created by Allen Repashy.

Well dry goods definately make it easier for me! However i dont think i would be able to provide the ideal enclosure for them :/. I only hVe space for. 36x18 at the moment and id feel reAlly bad cramming an active lizard in there