Uro or Bearded

[AlexisDarling]

I've always wanted a lizard. I've been told the uromastyx or the bearded dragon would be my best choices. I'm seeking opinions as to which would be the better pick of the two and why. I look forward to hearing your comments.:sun:

[Katatonic]

Well... What type of animal are you looking for; Something that you can take out and "play" with, or more of a Display Only type??
Also, what type of food item(s) are you willing to feed an animal??
Both aforementioned species are excellent choices as beginner animals, but I'm just curious as to what you're looking to get from this.
There are TONS of fantastic beginner reptiles, each is different in their own respect and each has advantages and disadvantages.
LATER.

[doenoe]

Well, i would go for the bearded dragon. But why, you wonder: well simply because i dont know anything about uromastyx
I want to buy 2 bearded dragons in the near future and they are goin to be my first herps too. Wooohoooo.
Good luck making up your mind.
Greetz

[Youkai]

Are you looking for something that gets larger? Beardies and Uros are at least medium sized animals requiring a lot of space.
If your choice is between them, I'd opt for a bearded dragon. There are far more captive bred BDs, and more literature on them as well.

If you want to try something smaller and slightly less costly to maintain, look into leopard, crested, and fat tailed geckos.

[Dino]

My Mali is fairly inactive, so not the kind of lizard you take out of the tank alot to play with. They do require alot of room once they get full size 15" or so( 50 gallon min ).Mine is in a 55g right now but will very soon out grow it. Then I will have to build him a custom size(on the drawing board). They grow alot slower than Beardies. My brothers beardie is almost full grown in 9 months were as my mali the same age is only 6" long.

I preffer not to mess around with the crickets thats why I bought a Mali. They are veggies and rarely eat bugs. I give him pin heads and meallies once every couple of weeks. I am a chef so it is easy for me to bring home fresh veggies from work for $0.

Youkai is right about the literature though, there is alot more on beardies.

I hope that this helps abit with your question.

Dino

P.S. Mali's have been known to live a very long time in captivity if properly taken care of, so they could be a fixture of your life for 20 years. I am not sure of the life span of Beardies.

[Katatonic]

Beardies again, are a long term venture, averaging anywhere between 8 and 12 years, it's still a commitment, just as any reptile. Both, again, are fantastic reptiles to work with.
If there isn't much literature available, I see it as a field in which more work needs to be done... I'd go w/ the lesser known animal, drawing upon knowledge of those trail-blazers who have been successful raising and propogating the species, and use my own experience to inform others... but that's just my take on it. It's development of the hobby. Call me an idealist if you like.

Hmmm... Seems like we're all talking to each other, even tho we're not the ones looking for a new lizard. Calling AlexisDarling...

[AlexisDarling]

Thanks for all your replies.

I have a 55 gallon tank that would be my starter. I'd like a lizard that would be fine in the starter tank for at least for a couple of years. Yes, I do want something I can bring out. It would only be once or twice a week, occasionally missing a week, during finals and all.

I'm still not too sure as to what breed I'll pick but I have all the time in the world to decide. Although I would like my first lizard purchase to be within the next 6 months. By the way this would be my first lizard not herp. Sorry for not mentioning it earlier. Right now my only experience with a herp is my boa that I've had for almost a year. My first choice would have been a lizard but my boa kind of fell into my lap, so to speak. However, I haven't forgotten my first interest. Thanks again.

[Katatonic]

My personal opinion would be that you may personally enjoy the bearded dragon, not because they are "Friendlier" or more personable, but that I'm sure you're looking to provide comfortable and adequate caging for your herp, and the 55 g, tho large, may still prove to be too small for a uromastyx at full size.
I think you'll end up falling in love with the Bearded Dragon, if that is the way you so decide to go. Happy Herping AlexisDarling.
LATER!!

[Dino]

55 gallon unfortunatley is to small for both, once they are full grown it is just too narrow. Here is a pic of mine. Like I said before, I have to build a new bigger one.