Uromastyx maliensis

Ever since I first laid eyes on a Uromastyx in a Charlotte, NC pet shop, I’ve wanted one. From the tortoise-like head to the dinosaur-like, menacing, spiky tail that reminded me of a Stegosaurus’ defensive whip, I craved to  have one and to create my own mini Jurassic Park at home.

Yes, I know that this feisty 6″ long desert reptile is not even remotely closely related to those 20′ long, 10 ton behemoths which lived 200 million years ago, but darn it, it’s almost certain it’ll be as close as I’ll ever get to one – and The Flintstones for that matter – and being the animal lover I am, I wanted one dammit!

Actually, the Uromastyx (Uros, as they are known) and Stegosaurus are really not all that different. Both are herbivores, meaning that they eat mainly plant matter (salads and the like), both live in semi-arid climates and both use their muscular, spiky tails as their primary defense against predators. Well, I suppose the similarities end right about there.

Nonetheless, boy do they look cool!

Tim Buk Tu

At the time, my reptile raising resume’ was rather limited with only a few anoles, a couple box turtles I unearthed as a kid in Ohio, and a handful of those silver-dollar sized dimestore turtles that are illegal now to own (since small children were known to have put them in their curious mouths and contracted diseases) to my credit. I went home and did some research on the care for a Uromastyx and soon realized with my experience, I’d be much better off right now to settle for a gecko. Which I did…thank you very much…and learned what a joy geckos are to own! (See my post of Leopard Gecko keeping HERE)

Well, after a couple years of healthy gecko rearing and continued Uro yearning, my loving wife urged me to go ahead and get one if I was ready. (Thanks, honey!) I am so glad I did.

While the gecko is nocturnal and lounges around all day – and most of the night, too, I might add – my 9 month old Uro (Tim Buk Tu, named after his native land in Mali, West Africa) is up at the break of dawn prowling and canvassing his territory, that is, when he hasn’t suddenly napped off as he is prone to do on occasion.

Tim suddenly napping

Tim suddenly awake

He’s unbelievably tame and loves to take a bath – which I had to give him after he devoured two blackberries and flung berry juice all over creation. He needs no water per se as he gets all the H2O he requires from the vegetation he eats. It’s a good thing, he’s not the cleanest eater – rather messy, actually – he scampers through his food trough and scatters veggies everywhere. He goes back and cleans up though, so at least he’s polite.

He absolutely loves flowers! No, I don’t decorate his enclosure with bouquets – He’d EAT them! Honeysuckle, dandelions, lilies, roses…just the sight of me bringing them to him from across the room makes him jump and try to climb the glass.

During his berry feast

His species, Uromastyx maliensis, will grow to 12″-14″ and can live upwards of 35 years, maybe more, so I hope my son likes him as he’ll most likely inherit him.

Uros, for the most part, have not been kept in captivity for very long (since the early 90′s, I believe) so not a whole lot is known about them. I have read and researched all I can on these wonderful little beasts but would like to hear about what other keepers have experienced with their Uros. I know there’s much to learn and I’m sure it’s going to be an interesting journey.

Just checkin' the temp

One thing is for sure…they like it HOT!

Have questions or want to share your thoughts? Please send a comment.

As far as my experiences with Tim, I’ll keep you posted…

©dbhewitt

Eublepharis macularius for your very own

Ever thought of having a pet gecko? You know, just a cute little lizard of your own that would talk Australian and try so politely to sell you insurance? I know you have, just like everyone else, however, let me guess…you’ve never had a reptile before and you haven’t the first clue as to how and what to do to keep, maintain and raise a mini-dinosaur. Am I correct?

Well, let me be the first to tell you…Nothing Could Be Simpler!

First answer this questionnaire:

(add one point for each yes answer)

1. Do you want a pet gecko?
2. Can you spare a few moments 3-4 times a week to feed a pet leopard gecko?
3. Do you operate an in-home shelter for stray cats?

OK. You’re done.

Now, grade yourself…
If you answered the first two questions “Yes”, then you’re a prime candidate and well on your way to being a master gecko keeper.

If you answered “yes” to question three, well, maybe a gecko is not for you.
Either way, let me tell you how easy it is to keep your own pet leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). First, I’ll cover some common concerns.

Do they bite?

"My gecko bit me!"

No, geckos do not bite. It’s better described as an attempted oral grip. If your gecko does attempt a nip at you you’ll most likely just want to say, “Wow! My gecko just bit me!” Something to bring up to friends over a beer, but nothing more. Let your gecko chew on your fingertip a couple times and he’ll soon realize you aren’t a cricket nor a mealworm and he’ll remember in the future you aren’t a meal.
Which brings me to…

What in the heck do geckos eat?

Two things: Crickets and mealworms. OK, crickets, insects and mealworms. That’s three. But crickets and mealworms are insects so, actually it’s one.

…….. Eeeeeewwwww! I don’t like worms!

Don’t fear, mealworms are not worms, but the larvae form of a beetle (Tenebrio molitor). They (the mealworms, nor the beetle – or the gecko for that matter) are not slimy nor yucky. The just taste good to geckos (and are popular street fare for humans in Thailand).

Eeeeeewwwww! I don’t like beetles!

If your mealworms do metamorphosize (after several months of not being fed to your gecko) what you will have is one dumb beetle that can’t fly and if he tumbles over onto his back, he’ll most likely just lie there forever kicking his miniscule getaway sticks in the air in vain. An easy-to-hunt meal for your gecko.

Won’t my pet leopard gecko poop everywhere?

Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, leopard geckos may be the tidiest little homemakers in the animal kingdom. Once they move in and take occupancy of their new residence your leopard gecko will first take a long and thorough walk-through inspecting his/her new abode and then promptly designate one specific corner as its lavatory.

Excrement bundles in the designated poop corner

All bodily wastes will be packaged together in one small excrement bundle in the designated corner. This bundle (average 3-4 times per week) can easily be removed with tongs, or a mini scoop. They don’t have to be house-trained nor taken outside although shoulder harnesses are on the market if you desire to take your gecko out for a stroll. (The little poop bundles are dry, they do not smell, and once extracted they are wonderful fertilizer pellets for your houseplants.)

All in all, poop is not an issue.

c

How big do they get and how much space do they need?

A leopard gecko can attain a length (from tip of nose to end of tail) of about 7 inches. An adult leopard gecko will have more than enough room to live in a 20 gallon long aquarium.

What do I need to buy?

An aquarium with a screened top so the cats don’t get in, an overhead night light for heat, a sand substrate for reptiles, a water dish…and a gecko.

So, there you have it.

Adults will eat about 6-8 crickets/mealworms per feeding, only need access to a water dish for infrequent sips, needs no grooming (IE: haircuts or nail clippings, although periodic baths may be a good idea), they do not bark or beg for food, don’t shed (well, actually they do shed their skin every few weeks, but they eat it so there’s no clean-up), are happiest being solitary rather than with a mate, are inexpensive, live long (can live 20+ years), and are fascinating to watch for hours on end (when they are not sleeping).

Leopard geckos aren’t the most skilled of hunters and it is quite comical to watch them as they try to catch half a dozen rampant live crickets who are scared out of their wits after being dropped into The Gecko Den. However, they do win in the end as a hungry gecko always gets their cricket.

Hypo Tangerine Carrot-Tail

Pre-shed color fade

Leopard geckos have been bred into many different color patterns (morphs) over the past several years with the intensely orange-tailed “carrot-tail” being one of the most sought after. Leopard geckos (Leos as they are known in the trade) however will fade in color a day or two prior to their regular shedding – the next day you’ll awaken to a freshly-hued bright and shiny, happy Leo – and as I said, no shedded skin to clean up!

With the many varieties available, you will have no problem finding one who accents you home decor.
They are known as the consummate lounge lizard as they will lie sprawled out napping seemingly without a care in the world.
And you will be too, if you decide to get a pet leopard gecko of your very own.

Now, you aren’t skeptical about keeping a reptile anymore right?

Good.

…

(If you do plan on keeping a pet gecko do yourself and your future pet a favor and research the many leopard gecko care articles and websites. They are most helpful.)

©dbhewitt.2009.

xxx

The “Flaring of the Dewlap”

…

A male anole’s foreboding display of impending sex

…

OK, you’re right. It’s not exactly anole sex, but it is anole courtship – anole foreplay if you will. Known in the herpetology world as the “Flaring of the Dewlap”, (a rather garish expansion of rose-colored throat-skin) this display by male anoles (Anolis carolinesis) is performed towards the female anole mate of his choosing as an ominous notification of impending sex and is usually accompanied by a series of “push-ups” intended to, I must assume, display his strength, agility and athletic prowess – apparently much desired characteristics for desiring male suitors. This flaring matinee is obviously meant to be viewed by a reciprocating female as a scintillating exhibition of his erotic worthiness and endowment. However, to the female this is not always the case.

This rather amusing audition of male anole burlesque more often than not (actually, a vast majority of the time) sends the horrified female fleeing for cover in the nearest branches, leaves or anywhere she can camouflage herself out of harm’s way. While cowering away in hiding after (in her opinion) such a crude and obtrusive sleazy gesture, she will veil herself and stay obscured from the male’s sight until the apparent sexual threat has waned.

In time, after searching unsuccessfully for his intended, the male will concede that his quest for sexual gratification with the Chosen One is lost and he will begin searching for another potential mate.

That is, until He spots Her again.

©dbhewitt.2009.