Ornate Uromastyx (U. ornata )
Ornates are probably the most popular Uromastyx species. They, along with Egyptian Uromastyx were one of the first species imported into North America in sizable numbers. When commonly imported in the late 1980's, they were relatively inexpensive, with most specimens going for less than $100. At the time, their relatively low resale price along with the lack of any husbandry data resulted in very few Ornates being kept back by herpetoculturalists for breeding purposes. Then in the early 1990's, Egypt (their primary country of origin, along with Israel) banned further exportation, causing their price to rise dramatically. Luckily a few of us had begun the effort to work out their husbandry needs and Deer Fern Farms, along with Randal Gray and Audrey Vanderlinden became the first to successfully breed Ornates in North America. Today a few Ornates still enter North America as hatchlings from Europe but a sizable percentage of the specimens currently available here are produced by a handful of U.S. breeders. The limited numbers available coupled with high demand have generally kept the price for hatchlings to between $200 (for European imports) to $450 (U.S. bred) with premium adults bringing appreciably more.
Ornates don't bring a premium price simply because they are uncommon. They also generally have the calmest, most laid back personalities of the Uromastyx group and possess outstanding coloration. Males tend towards a main body coloration of various shades of blue (sky blue to deep cobalt blue) or green (lime green to deep forest green), with large yellow spotting occurring on the upper back. A few also get pinkish to orange washes over the center of the back. Females are usually duller versions of the males, with more of the background colors being tans with occasional blue or green highlights but similar bright yellow spotting. They are a medium size species, with most maturing around 10" to 14", 250 + grams. Most readily allow handing and are usually friendly and outgoing (shyness being rare). The most common complaint about Ornates' is that as adults, they can become somewhat sedentary. These are the couch potatoes of the Uromastyx world. They are not one of the easier ones to pairs (females MUST be paired while young), but mated pairs are less aggressive toward each other compared to say Moroccans or Orange benti.
Availability is generally limited to captive bred juveniles. As few are produced each year, they tend to be one of the more expensive Uromastyx. Hatchlings commonly bring $200 ea. and up. Young brightly colored adult males are sporadically available for $450 and up, but adult females are exceptionally hard to come by at any price. Beware buying lone adult females for use as breeders since if these were reared by themselves, are extremely hard to pair up. Ornates are a hardy species, generally suitable for even beginners but as only hatchlings are normally available, we suggest novices start with hatchling Mali's or Moroccans before trying an Ornate hatchling. Those have identical requirements but are slightly more forgiving of husbandry errors than Ornates as hatchlings. They are also commoner and much less expensive and less of a loss to the breeding population (and your pocket book) if you make a serious error and lose them. Still they are not a difficult species to work with, so don't less us scare you off if you're set on trying a hatchling.
Our availability is sporadic, so please e-mail or call us (360-435-2679) if you're looking for Ornates. We keep a "Wanted" list and fill it as specimens become available. We’ve posted photos of a few individuals we’ve recently sold so you can get an idea of what’s generally available. Please also view our Photo Gallery of Deer Fern Farms In-House Breeders page to see the parents of our In-house captive produced hatchlings. Please see "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Policies" for ordering information.
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| Banded Pattern High Contrast Female Ornate | Six Week Old Hatchling Ornate |
Email:
douglasdix@deerfernfarms.com
Copyright © 1992-2005 by Douglas Dix. All rights reserved for all photos and text
