Uromastyx or Bearded dragon

[Chevelle0816]

I just recently got a job, and i now have enough money to buy everything i need For a new companion. The only problem, is that i cant decide which one to get! I Really adore both and i have weighted the pros and cons and still cant decide. The only problem i have with Bd's is having to keep live insects for food, and the only problem i have with Uros, is that i heard they arent as "attached" as Beardies are. Please help Me decide, There is a reptile expo coming to my area in two weeks and i want to start getting supplies ASAP

 

[citrusdragon]

I was face with a similar decision at first, and I have toyed with the idea of a Uro for the last few months.
As I understand it dragons generally have a better temperament when it comes to being handled. That was big for us. I would say don't let the live feeders run you off from a dragon. With a little research on this forum you can find a feeding solution that fits your comfort level.

I VOTE BEARDIE

... of course.

Good luck on your new reptile, whichever you choose

Jeff

 

[Pookachu]

I have both Beardies and Uros (Mali and Egyptian) in my collection. I like them both very much. Personally I think you will enjoy the company of a beardie more than a uro.

All of my beardies were either tame to start with or it didnt take long for them to get used to me to where they would eat from my hand or sit idly on my shoulder while watching a movie. They are fun to have around and are almost always doing something to make me laugh.

b/c i have my own colony of feeders the need to get them bugs to eat is not much of an issue. The only miff I have really (if any) is the poops. Beardie poops at times can get big and get very messy, they can and will poop anywhere and everywhere, they will walk through it and get it all over themselves and the tank, they will poop in the water dish, poop on their food, poop poop poop.

Uros ... as far as care is concerned, hands down these guys are by far the easiest. They do not need a water dish and they only eat veggies. Plus their poop usually comes out like pellets so its pretty easy to clean. (my wife also think they have rediculously cute faces)

I like them a lot but they can get pissy at times. If you are gonna get a uro I really strongly suggest getting one that is either already tame or get one as young as possible so that it starts off early getting used to being around you. Either way though, not that its not possible, but they are not as calm and willing to just hang out with you like a beardie would.

The few mali uro's I have are all friendly enough in that I am not worried about them biting or attacking or anything like that but they are all flighty and skittish. You would think even after a year or two they would stop running around the tank like the world is about to end when I give them their veggies. I got them when they were close to adult age and while it was advertised as Captive Breed I am willing to bet they were Wild Caught.

My egyptian uro on the other hand, not as huggable as a beardie but a lot more calmer than the mali. My wife likes him because he is chunky and appears to have personality. Egyptians can get very big (mine is at about 2 1/2 feet and probably still growing) and while there are times he will sit on my lap I am still very careful in my handling with him as his tail can do some serious damage at that size.

To give an example on how powerful an egyptian ero's tail can be, a few months back when temporarily put him in a 40 gal breeder while I did a full clean out his tank my cat thought it would be interesting to prowl around the top's and sides of the tank he was in. the uro was not pleased and tried to tail whip my cat and actually shattered the glass in the tank. I put him in the bathtub now when I need to clean out his tank.

I never have had any experience with the ornate uro but they are very colorful and while I cannot confirm this for myself, a friend of mine told me the ornate is a little less skittish than the mali (but a lot more expensive).

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Im partial to beardies.

 

[Chevelle0816]

Okay cool cool, thanks so far guys.

 

[herpfreak]

You can't really expect to get unbiased results to a beardie vs uro vote on the beardie forum. :lol:

Well, I vote beardie. Yes, they are a handful. Yes, they are a lot of work. But they are the sweetest things in the entire world! :love5: I wouldn't trade my beardie for 100 uros! They love snuggles and going on walks and hanging out... they love people in general.

I LOVE BEARDIES!!!!

 

[Chevelle0816]

Haha thats true, its too late anyways =P i already started to get **** for a beardie =P i just got a lid, a light socket, and a digital thermometer. I cant wait till i get him/her.

 

[herpfreak]

Yaay! Good luck! If you have any Qs, ask away!

And make sure to show us pics when you get him/her.

 

[Chevelle0816]

Will do! there is a reptile expo coming to orlando pretty soon, so i was gonna try and get a Citrus morph =P They seem really cool.

 

[sweetiepie9]

We have a citrus morph, his name is Rubio and he's almost a flourescent yellow when he's under his power sun and happy. He was quite red as a baby, but his yellows are showing up really well now. He's strong & big, he's 7 mo old, 17 1/2" and 400grams, will eat anything at least once and is growing more every day. Not sure what he'll look like when he's full grown. He's also a handful, blackbeards and head bobs everything and anything. He does love to cuddle, for only for an instant and if I do something he doesn't approve of, he'll head bob me, even though I'm his mom. He keeps us laughing all the time. He loves to explore and try to wedge himself into the strangest places. He's been trying to get past the blue barrier we have in front of the stereo, figured out he could probably climb the curtains next to it and drop over; luckily we caught him before he could climb high enough, he would have been difficult to get out, therefore the two foot tall barrier! We took care of a baby female citrus, she was very curious as well, not afraid of anything, wiry and really fun. Have fun at the expo!

 

[Ethelia]

Im afraid I have no real experiance with Uro's other than holding them at the reptile store, but I would like to offer my experience of beardies.

Im very lucky as to have brought dragons home at all stages; baby, juvie and adult.
(Its noteworthy however that all my dragons are rescued, and all have some form of disability)

For me bearded dragons are perfect pets because they each have such strong personalities and are very receptive.
Now everyone says "ohhhh they have SUCH different personalities." because they think their pets are the best in the world. But Id like to tell you a bit about the difference between my dragons, hopefully to show dragons individualty.
Prepare for photo spamming! (to help illustrate my point I hope)


Dex.

Dex was rescued as an adult who had been kept in terrible conditions with other species of lizard.
She was missing half an arm and some of her tail.
She was absolutely terrified of me when I brought her home. She bit me, scratched me and hissed at me as much as she could.
With some determination and taming techniques a couple of months later and Dex became the most loving and affectionate pet I have ever had the pleasure of owning.
She would refuse to eat vegitables unless i hand fed them.
She would scratch at the glass constantly in the morning until I would let her climb onto my bath robe where she would snuggle into and fall asleep whilst I had breakfast.

Ruben.

I brought Ruben home as a 4 month old dragon. He was attacked by his cage mates and was left with two missing legs, and therefore has to have a specially adapted viv.
Ruben was always very independant, he tollerated me rather than loved me, and would always shuffle away given the choice.
However over the last 6 months as he has grown he has begun to enjoy our company. When my partner comes home he will shuffle up to the glass because he knows my partner will give him a little treat. He also now adores to be wrapped up tightly in a blanket and falls asleep on my chest at night. He does however enjoy shuffling around our living room floor alone the most.
Ruben is such a goof (he doesnt believe me when i tell him he is disabled) and cracks me up on an hourly basis.
He is also quite stubborn and will blacken his beard for attention (it turns back yellow after a minute of cuddling) and refuse to eat all day if he doesnt get the type of worm or salad that he wants.


Miso.

My first baby, and only missing some tail, is a huge bundle of energy. She spends all her time climbing, jumping and being generally charming.
She is incredibly confident and knows no fear. She will take a running jump in an attempt to get onto my windowsill from my desk daily, with very bad results.
She shows every promise of being a cuddlebug as she is at her brightest colouring when she is on my lap.


I must warn you though. Once you start you cant stop!
(excuse the spam everyone!)

 

[Chevelle0816]

There so awesome. I cant wait till i get mine =P I just got the shelf liner today with some loose change i had around, it looks pretty good too in the cage. I just cant decide on what to feed the little one whenever i get it, i wont have time to start a dubia colony ( or money), But crickets seem a little blah to have. Eh, whatever it takes i'll get one lol.

 

[Beardielover94]

you will love the beardie the moment it gets home and definitly it will love you back, try to get a girl if your a guy or boy if your a gal, :lol: if that made any sence and if you can little beardies are hard so try to get one at least 6 months or so. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEARDIE!!!!! Yeah! now i probably scared you :shock:

 

[joeyb504]

There so awesome. I cant wait till i get mine =P I just got the shelf liner today with some loose change i had around, it looks pretty good too in the cage. I just cant decide on what to feed the little one whenever i get it, i wont have time to start a dubia colony ( or money), But crickets seem a little blah to have. Eh, whatever it takes i'll get one lol.

i am partial to phoenix wrms my beardies love them and there is no care for them and i'lll throw crickets in from time to time just to get them some exercise

 

[nbaragon]

Wow, I just wanted to say Pookachu's post is very informative and educational! I didn't know uros' tails can be that powerful!! Very very interesting... Uros are really cute too, though! (I don't have one, but I just like watching them at reptile stores!)

But, Chevelle0816, I'm still glad you're going for a beardie! You'll totally love him/her!! To the point your own lifestyle will be shifted in order to serve better for your beardie...