Hey! I just got a male mali uro and I was wondering what size tank he should live in. He's about 6 1/2 inches long and he seems to be doing well in my 20 gallon tank, but he is constantly running back and forth clawing at the glass. After about a minute of that he returns to his basking spot and then a little while later he's back at it. I think he needs at least a 60 gallon tank, but my dad thinks he's fine where he is. I would really like to know what some of ya'll who have uros think. PLEASE HELP!!

I agree with you,,,,,,a Mali needs at least a 60 gallon. at 6 1/2 inches I would say he is a juvenile and already too big for a 20 gallon. Do yourself a favor and get the required size tank as soon as you can,,,,beats a trip to the vet to fix noserub.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

And welcome to Herpcenter by the way !!!!!!

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Yeah, Ken's right. The 20 gal is too small for him, plus he's only going to grow bigger and bigger, so by the time he's an adult you'll need something like a 60 anyway. It'll be cheaper in the long run to just get the 60 now, instead of constantly buying new tanks for him as he grows.

Also, just wanted to be sure you had all the lights and such that you need. You did get him a UVB light right?

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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

hey, thanks for the replys! I knew that the 20 gallon wouldn't be enough for him. The problem now is that my dad won't let me spend any more money on him so I can't get him the tank that he needs. ave to return him to the petstore, which I really don't won't to do, but I can't let the poor uro suffer. would a bearded dragon do better in a 20 gallon? if not what would?

P.S. I did get him the UVB lighting

Unfortunately for you, bearded dragons get about the same size as most uros, so a 20 is still too small. There are many smaller lizards that you can house in a 20 gallon, but very few that you can actually take out and hold like you can a beradie or uro. If you want something you can handle, and since you seem to be interested in arid species, a leopard gecko is my only recomendation to you.

Unlike the uromastyx, a leopard gecko does not require exposure to UVB rays, or any type of UV rays for that matter. If you bought sand as a substrate for your uro, you cannot use it for the leo. You will need to keep the vitamin supplement, calcium supplement, and water dechlorinator though, as a leopard gecko needs these just as much as the uromastyx.

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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Ken and Matt are totally correct about the size of the tank, lights etc. As Matt said if you want to use the 20 gl tank, a leo is the best way to go. No special lights etc. Check out the caresheet section for Leopard Geckos for more information.

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MARSHA
A man without a woman is a bachelor, A woman without a man is a genius!.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!

Are leopard geckos friendly and able to be handled?

Yes ma'am they are. Just like any herp, with a little effort, it will be your best friend.

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MARSHA
A man without a woman is a bachelor, A woman without a man is a genius!.

We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!

or possibly a rankins dragons, would fare well in that size...

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