I finally added a my first lizard to our reptile family! I had wanted a lizard for a long time, but just couldn't decide on which species I wanted, and had finally narrowed it down to either a blue tonged skink or a uromastyx.

Well, today at the Raleigh repticon I took the plunge and picked up the only Mali Uromastyx they had. He's about 3 years old, and a bit skiddish; but he's a beauty. I'll add pics once he calms down a bit, and settles in.

we picked up a UVB lamp and Heat Lamp, and a small bag of herbivore mix so he would have something to munch on tonight; but tomorrow we are off to the grocery store to pick up spring mix, squash, and millet seeds, plus there is no shortage of dandelion leaves growing in the yard, here.

Now the next challenge is to get the basking, med heat, and cooler temps dialed in correctly. I believe that basking temps are supposed to be 120-130 for these desert dwellers, and the cooler side is around 85, I believe. Once the husbandry is correct, then I'm really looking forward to the bonding process.

My plan is, except for feedings and temp checks so I can dial in the numbers, to leave the little dude alone so he can settle in. I know that tomorrow hes not gonna be the happiest, because the substrate that I picked out is going to have to be removed and replaced. I made a boner of a mistake, and picked out the crushed walnut substrate, totally neglecting the fact that I have a tree nut allergy. One Benedryl and a swollen face later, I remembered. Out with the walnut bedding, and in with the wild birdseed bedding, which after some research was recommended in a blog post by the deer farms dude as being the best substrate for the Uromastyx. Not to mention they can ingest it safely.

I would totally welcome any input anyone has, and I will post pics as soon as the little dude settles down.