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#1714980
Morsel
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I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend! 
I’m pretty excited about this opportunity. I’ve always thought they were awesome lizards and haven’t really had any before. I’m not new to reptiles. I have two snakes at the moment and they’re doing great, very healthy, I follow every rule as far as care goes to the tiniest detail and they’re really thriving and growing.
So as far as I know...these are the kinda sad details. I’m thinking these are pretty young Uros and I don’t know what’s up with the current owners at the moment.
There’s two of unknown sex, one yellow phase Saharan and a freckled Mali that are currently housed together (temporarily I hope) in a 15 gallon tank at their house. So I’m paying the ’rehoming fee’ and getting their lighting, heating, substrate the 15 gallon and a 25 gallon tank. I actually have a nice 30 gallon I can trade for one of those and save up some cash to get larger tanks for these guys in the very near future.
I’ll definately update this as soon as I have more information. Mostly I’m just asking if there’s anything beyond what’s covered in general care sheets that I need to know (I’ve been researching etc)? Any absolute Do Nots or things you as current owners have learned the hard way? What’s not okay to feed them (I heard Spinach is bad for calcium absoroption). Any must have supplies beyond the basics?
Thank you, I appreciate the time put into any responses!
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04/24/08 04:58pm
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#1715014
Rmonster69
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Message To: Morsel In reference to Message Id: 1714980
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
I am very glad to hear you so excited about adopting these uros. However, your tanks you listed...all of them... are WAY too small for a single uro. I know you said you are going to separate them... EXCELLENT! but each uro will need a tank that is at least 4feet by 2feet (75 gallon). Each tank will need its own lighting system including a UVB (good ones run $50ish) Without having the tank size correct, you will not be able to get the proper temp gradient. They will either be too cold or too hot all the time which will harm them. Since it sounds like these uros are going to be in tough shape to begin with it will really be beneficial to them that you have the proper husbandry set up for them. Without the proper husbandry they will not eat, thrive, or grow. You don’t want to see your good deed go tragic! I found our tank on craigslist cheap...but even still, realize you will be spending hundreds on their husbandry. These are generally considered not easy reptiles because of their requirements, but with effort and planning it can be done. I strongly recommend that you read up all you can, listen to the experienced people on this forum (they helped us tons when we got our uro 2 years ago) and do not trust a pet store.
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04/24/08 05:29pm
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#1715027
Morsel
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Message To: Rmonster69 In reference to Message Id: 1715014
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
I never trust the pet stores, oh no! I’m amazed how my kingsnake lived in a petsmart for over a year, got severely underfed and unsocialized all because they just weren’t doing the right things. She got a wicked reputation, they sold her to me cheap and now she’s grown twice her original size in the year I’ve had her and has calmed tremendously with regular handling.
I’m definately going to look into getting much larger enclosures ASAP. I’m pretty good at maintaining temperature variants in my python’s tank so hopefully the small tank issue will be temporary while I buy/build them something bigger. Here’s hoping everything goes well and I actually can get them. I still live at home so it’s a matter of making sure the parents are okay (if they’re okay with snakes I think some lizards would be fine).
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04/24/08 05:34pm
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#1715727
Skullkeeper
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Message To: Morsel In reference to Message Id: 1715027
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
I am not trying to be mean or critical but do not get these uro’s unless you have two large cages at least 48"x24"x24" completely set up PRIOR to getting them , with accurate digital thermometers and a good infra red temp gun , appropriate substrates , hides , lighting, foods with correct temps/humidity levels etc . You need that size cage in order to get the proper temp . gradient , has nothing to do with the size of the Uro’s .Expect to spend at least several hundred dollars or more for veterinary care as soon as you obtain them . If you are unable to do the above then do not get the Uro’s .You would only be moving them from one bad situation to another causing addition stress on already sick animals . That is not a rescue in my opinion .
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04/25/08 06:47am
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#1715839
Packer
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Message To: Skullkeeper In reference to Message Id: 1715727
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
It is not really an issue of being good at maintaining a temperature gradient...in a 15 or 25 gallon tank, it is impossible to obtain a basking surface temp between 120 and 140, and still have a cool side temp around 85. You really need to be prepared for the amount of money that is required by these animals. When I got my uro, I was not prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on her, and as a result I wound up having to spend a couple of hundred extra on vet bills. Moving these uros into a 15 and a 25 gallon tank, as SK said, will only stress them out more than they already are.
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04/25/08 10:33am
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#1716264
Skullkeeper
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Message To: Packer In reference to Message Id: 1715839
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
There is no way to achieve the proper temp gradient in a 15 or 25 gallon aquarium .That is just one issue .Not to mention the stress a small cage would put on a Uro . They need a lot of floor space .These Uro’s are probably dehydrated, malnourished and full of parasites . All problems that will need immediate medical care . Could even cost a thousand dollars or more . So what one person may think is a good deal or that they are being kind by taking in a sick ,neglected reptile can easily end up a long term difficult and expensive challenge . Especially some one inexperienced with Uro’s, regardless of prior reptile experience . I just want him to know what he could be getting himself into .
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04/25/08 06:10pm
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#1716474
Twentytwo
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Message To: Skullkeeper In reference to Message Id: 1716264
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
Let me share my nuetral honest nonjudgemental opinion. First, anyone can get a 140 spot on an elevated site and 85 on the back wall-that is not a gradient, at least not for a uro, there needs to be room for movement within the temperature zones. So don’t think just because you can cram those temps in, I know you can, but that is not suitable. Second, I know not everyone who takes in an unwanted reptile is looking for a deal, and not everyone is broke and cheap, and some people do not care about the money, they really just want to help. But with a rescue, be prepared for possible failure or a reptile that runs for cover at the sight of you or just seemingly refuses to thrive no matter what you do or no matter how much money you throw at it. Or be prepared to be satisfied that it is doing well even though you hardly ever see it and be content with stealing a glance at it once in a while. And be prepared to work extra hard. Extra, extra, hard to get the same results as can be acheived with minimal effort from a cb that you can be the first proud owner. Now if you have extra space,supplies, money, and skills, and other animals that fulfill your "pet owner" needs and really just want to help no matter how this turns out, and will be happy just to take pride in providing a life to this animal that is doomed otherwise, and do not expect to enjoy hours of looking at it and such then so be it. You need to know there are no guarantees and given your experience with uromastyx I don’t think you relly know what you are in for. Now, don’t get me wrong, it could work out and end up you have a great pet, but you need to understand that it is certainly not guaranteed, I don’t care if who you are or what you do, so nothing against you, but that is just how it is,so the odds are against you being you never owned a uro. You need to know that. I really think these are not the best choice for your first uromastyx. That being said I will wish you and these uros luck regardless of what you decide, but to be "excited" like you are ordering a hatchling is a mistake. Rescues are not easy, young cb’s are the best to start with if you ask me. Just want to let you know what you are in for. No soap box, no pedestal, no bullhorn or egocentric rant, just my honest "advice". Consider these things. I think you would be much better off with a nice cb hatchling with a good start. And I think these uros would be better off with someone with more experience. Just being honest.
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04/25/08 09:26pm
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#1717020
Morsel
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Message To: Twentytwo In reference to Message Id: 1716474
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
I appreciate the concern, I do no appreciate some of the tone taken in responding to me but I’ve come to expect it from a lot of these forums here. I was absolutely willing to give them a proper sized enclosure, vet visits etc. so I was making some plans to acquire a larger sized enclosure or build a custom tank for them.
The exchanging part of the deal wasn’t working out and unforunately I don’t have a reliable enough vehicle to make the drive to pick them up (They live about 300 miles away). So I suppose it wasn’t meant to be. In the meantime I’m still researching and maybe some other time I can get a CB one when I have an enclosure etc all set up and ready.
Thanks for all of the suggestions.
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04/26/08 03:03pm
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#1717092
Uro_fan
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Message To: Morsel In reference to Message Id: 1717020
I’m Adopting 2 Uros this weekend!
Quote: I do no appreciate some of the tone taken in responding to me
The tone was in response to your statements.
Quote: I was absolutely willing to give them a proper sized enclosure
No, you stated that you were going to place the uromastyx in a 15, 25, or 30 gallon (at best) enclosure and ‘look’ into getting something larger. You then supported your decision on using these tiny enclosures with the fact that you are good at maintaining temperature variants in your python’s tank.
The temperature gradient and basking spot differs immensely between a python and uromastyx and I am willing to bet anyone on this forum would have a much easier time maintaining a proper temperature gradient for a python than a uromastyx.
The tone you sensed was based upon your insistence on acquiring two animals without having the proper enclosures to house them. There are forums out there with members that would have simply responded to your first post with a “oh, that is so nice of you, post some photos when you get them”. This is not one of those forums as most members feel strongly about responsibility and giving proper care from the beginning rather than a bunch of promises to make something ‘right’ later. Later never seems to come around or many times comes around too late.
If you truly want to help these two uromastyx, contact the owner and help him/her in the right direction for placement. Have them contact a local herp society to see if they have any people that might want to adopt the two animals. Have them contact a local humane society or rescue organization. There are some things you can do to help these two animals and after all, isn’t that what you wanted to accomplish?
Quote: ” In the meantime I’m still researching and maybe some other time I can get a CB one when I have an enclosure etc all set up and ready.”
I think this is a terrific idea and when the time comes, I am willing to bet that every one of the members that you feel might have had a tone will be the first in line posting to help you set up this larger enclosure and get ready for the uromastyx.
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04/26/08 05:13pm
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