Urovision

Planning on going to the reptile expo in Fremont, Ohio. Im hoping to pick up a Uromastyx while im there. Are there any questions that you guys ask when buying a new reptile, or tricks to find the best breeder? Also I'm not sure any one here lives in the area and is planning on going but if you do ill be looking forward to seeing you!

(Like what i did there with the title :rofl:im hilarious)

Try to find out which breeders will be there AHEAD of time & research their reputations. Don't "assume".

But trust what you're SEEING, also. Look for mites, asymmetry- lumps, listen to or observe breathing & behavior, etc.

Take a list of questions to ask so you don't forget any, it's so easy to get caught up in the moment, especially when you're drawn to a particular animal you see & you're afraid someone else will beat you to it. ;) I like to see feeding records & hatch dates, personally- it's evidence that they've paid attention to the animals & often helps to know.

Bring a suitable & secure travel-container with you for the trip home, in case one is not provided, or it's substandard. I only transport snakes in "ice chests" to prevent excessive heat (sun coming thru windows of vehicle!) or cold, to keep the temperatures fairly constant to minimize stress for your new pet. (My snakes are also bagged inside the chest, of course. ;) )

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Try to find out which breeders will be there AHEAD of time & research their reputations. Don't "assume".

But trust what you're SEEING, also. Look for mites, asymmetry- lumps, listen to or observe breathing & behavior, etc.

Take a list of questions to ask so you don't forget any, it's so easy to get caught up in the moment, especially when you're drawn to a particular animal you see & you're afraid someone else will beat you to it. ;) I like to see feeding records & hatch dates, personally- it's evidence that they've paid attention to the animals & often helps to know.

Bring a suitable & secure travel-container with you for the trip home, in case one is not provided, or it's substandard. I only transport snakes in "ice chests" to prevent excessive heat (sun coming thru windows of vehicle!) or cold, to keep the temperatures fairly constant to minimize stress for your new pet. (My snakes are also bagged inside the chest, of course. ;) )

---

Ok thank you, and thanks for the tip about ice chests. Ill be sure to post a picture if I can pick one up there :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ball_Pythons4life

Ok thank you, and thanks for the tip about ice chests. Ill be sure to post a picture if I can pick one up there :D

---

You'd better! And I hope you mean a picture of the uro, not the ice chest? :rofl:

:rofl: I really left myself open for that one :rofl:

Also kind of off topic but where do you buy enclosures from? does it really matter?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ball_Pythons4life

Also kind of off topic but where do you buy enclosures from? does it really matter?

---

Zen Habitats has some really nice 4x2x2 enclosures. They are a bit expensive but worth it in my book, I’ve kept both bearded dragons and uros in them. It’s more a preference thing though, since you’re not having to worry about humidity your options are a little more open.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ball_Pythons4life

Also kind of off topic but where do you buy enclosures from? does it really matter?

---

Everyone has their own opinions & favorites- so shop around as many brands as you can. Also, some have a long wait time to ship if you have to order them.

I can't help you any, I prefer glass tanks- I mostly keep colubrids, fyi. I'm also not that up on uromastyx, as far as their needs & ultimate size. I would suggest that you get the enclosure set up & tested out (as far as temperatures/heat) for at least a week before you bring home an occupant for it. That way, if you need something more, you won't be stressing your new pet while you make needed modifications, or worse, if you have to wait to have something shipped to you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ball_Pythons4life

:rofl: I really left myself open for that one :rofl:

---

I guess we can always start another thread to see who has the best ice chests? :cool: LOL

I've found a 75 gallon aquarium for $105, I think ill go with that, as its not super expensive. I also might just watch facebook market place and craigslist for something cheap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ball_Pythons4life

I've found a 75 gallon aquarium for $105, I think ill go with that, as its not super expensive. I also might just watch facebook market place and craigslist for something cheap.

---

Yes, a used tank can be a great "deal" but just remember that it's for sale for a reason: the previous occupant of the tank probably died, & you don't know what from. So for any used tank, it's a good idea to use several ways* of disinfecting it (inside AND out) & only AFTER** you give it a good thorough cleaning (inside & out), so that your new occupant doesn't catch something. No point asking people either...if their snake died of IBD or some other terrible thing, either they won't admit it, or they don't even know. Not many people get necropsies on deceased pets.

So IMO a used tank is always a risk, but if you have more time (to clean & disinfect) than money (to buy a new one- still needs cleaned but not to the same extent), a large used tank may be a good option. And again, I have no experience with Uromastyx, but assuming they're along the lines of bearded dragons (which I have kept), a large tank is what you'd want, I think.

*diluted bleach, ammonia, F10, Chlorhexidine/Nolvasan, isopropyl alcohol, etc.-the reason for using more than one disinfectant- and never (!) mixed together, by the way- is that some pathogens aren't all killed effectively by the same thing, so for safety- not knowing what a used tank might have contained previously- I'd just be cautious & thorough about disinfecting. Better to keep your new animal safe.

**Note: disinfectants are less effective in the presence of actual debris, so general cleaning first (water & a bit of liquid dish soap) is needed.