I got my mali uro Sam the day before christmas eve. My dad had gone to his friend's house the week before and looked down to see a dark, disgusting 10 gallon tank with what he first thought to be a tortoise (she was that overweight!). The guy said that he had her for the last two years and that she eats iceburg lettuce. My dad also noticed what looked like large infections on her left and right sides, as well as about 1/5 of her back.



So it took me a week, but I finally got in contact with the guy and asked to come over and see the animal. By then the "infections" were dry (we later found out that they are scars from 3rd degree burns, and they miraculously heeled without infection in the disgusting, fece incrusted tank!), and I got a look at what she was being kept in. A 10 gallon aquarium with no top, a hot rock, a bowl of dirty water, and nothing but dead grass cuttings and feces for floor covering! I'm going to post a pic soon, because I can't explain how bad it was. The guy surrendered her with no problems, and he through in a cracked 29 gallon tank, stand, and a heat lamp...which he probably was using up until the lamp fell on her (he had it taped inside the cage!). I got her setup and got her eating right in no time, and I think that me being the first person to ever give her attention seems to have a great affect on her! She loves to eat out of my hand (she'll happily bound across her tank, which is now a 48"x13"x13"...still small, but not bad). Plus, she will walk up to my hand and sit on it if she wants to come out and run around.



I think the word "anamorphising" or however it's spelled/pronounced gets thrown around a little too much. I don't think really many people at all will look at a lizard and assume it has all the same emotions as a person. i do fail to believe that it really doesn't have any emotions. I think that some reptiles are capable of forming bonds with their owners. I believe a good example is the argentine black and white tegu? I'm not sure though...I thought I heard something about them recognizing their owners.



-ryan

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