Despite being imported in reasonable numbers for several years,  Orange benti are one of the least common Uromastyx in captivity in North America.   They only naturally occur in Yemen, but at low elevations, in contrast to their flashier cousins the Rainbow or Mountain Benti Uromastyx.   The two forms intermingle at  mid-elevations and intergrades are common, which is probably why the two types have yet to be granted official subspecies status.   The two "pure" types are distinctly different in all regards: size, color, pattern, temperament, and even morphology.   Orange benti are on average distinctly huskier than Rainbows, being about 1/4 larger overall (both in length and weight).   Both sexes of Orange benti lack any trace what-so-ever of femoral pores, while both sexes of Rainbow benti have obvious false pores (enlarged "shield scales" lying along the femoral pores' normal path).    Both sexes of pure Orange benti are solid orange from snout to tail tip.  This can range from almost brown to yellow orange to red orange, but there is no obvious color change from head to tail as occurs in Rainbows.   While less a "rule",  back spotting is generally different as well.   Pure Orange benti commonly have alternating rows of spots laid out in a very linear pattern.   The odd numbered rows have medium sized spots while the even numbered rows have very small spots very closely spaced together.  Rainbows never have this arrangement.  Lastly, where male Rainbows have broadly blue sides, arm pits, etc., Orange benti normally continue with orange pigments with traces of malachite green to only very rarely any hints of blue.   Temperament wise, they are similar to Rainbows, but in our opinion, slightly more aggressive and even harder to keep  as compatible pairs.   They are slightly less high strung but still can get "depressed" when moved to a new cage and thus stability in their housing is important.  

Their importation history is identical to that of the Rainbow Benti  (please see the Rainbow Benti page for more details).  Once the Rainbow subspecies was identified in the Yemen shipments, most importers asked exclusively for that subspecies in future importations.  This caused further importations of the true Orange benti to essentially stop.   Extremely few ever made it into breeding programs and most of those breeders have abandoned the effort in lew of easier, flashier species.   This is a shame as Orange benti can be very showy specimens with very interesting personalities.  While orange is a somewhat common color in Uromastyx, "Orange benti" orange is a distinctly different shade of orange.   Needless to say, they are extremely rare as this time and are in real danger of being lost to herpetoculture.   We only have two pairs set up for breeding and have yet to successfully produce hatchlings.   We plan to keep trying however and with a little luck hope to be able to offer a few to breeding homes only (no pet buyers please, unless further importations occur).   Pricing is undetermined at this point, but we'll be reasonable to the right homes.   Yemen has not banned further exportations so it's not impossible more may yet come in.  Let's hope at that time they are better received by potential breeders!

We've posted a few photos below of specimens we've sold in the past so you can get a feel for them.  Please also view our   Photo Gallery of Deer Fern Farms In-House Breeders  page to see the parents of our (hopefully soon to be) In-house captive produced hatchlings. Our availability is expected to sporadic, so please e-mail or call us if you're looking for Orange benti.  We keep a "Wanted" list and fill it as specimens become available.  Please see  "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Policies" for ordering information.

 

High White Orange Benti Adult Male	Adult Female

Orange Benti x Rainbow Intergrade Male	Malachite Green-Sided Adult Male

We ship based on the prevailing weather patterns between us and you. Usually we can ship most weeks, but when large storms/severe heat/cold are forecasted, we prefer to hold off.   Please see  "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Policies" for ordering information.

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    Email: douglasdix@deerfernfarms.com

Copyright © 1992-2005 by  Douglas Dix. All rights reserved for all photos and text