Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I have a 9-10 month old egyptian uro and I am getting concerned that he (or she, not 100% sure on that one) isn't very tame. Usually, he is very skitish and runs for his cage when he sees someone. I try to handle him maybe 3 times a week, but I feel that trying to catch him as he runs around the cage is causing him too much stress. I've fed him meal worms. I can hold him in one hand, put a worm in the palm of my other hand, and he will eat it. But I'm just not sure if there's any better way to tame him. Will he calm down as he gets older (and bigger)

Any ideas?? Thanks so much for the help!

Well first let's not think about it as taming. You are trying to become friends. It needs to trust you, and there are some things you can do. If you haven't covered the back and sides of his cage try it for a week. Try approaching slow at different times and just watch him without trying to pick him up. I mean like various times of the day not just at feeding time, or just when you want to pick him up. If it's in an area that has "traffic" move it somewhere out of the way, where it can see if someone is coming.
Then start by slowly reaching in to pick it up, don't chase it. If it learns to trust you it won't be as quick to run. Slowly it will learn you are it's friend and it doesn't have to run. It still will sometimes, but just give it time. Try not to pick it up for a week or two while it has time to study you too. In time I'm sure you will become great friends.
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**Kenn**

Thanks for the advice UroTamer! I have a couple of followup questions... many times, when I am looking to pick him up and interact with him, I would have to pick up his faux rock cave to expose him, so I can pick him up. Should i not do this, ie, leave him alone when he is in his cave? Maybe this is obvious, but when he runs in there, I'm not really left with an alternative...

Also, when I'm holding him, I usually do so with my thumb on his chest and my fingers wrapped around his back, is there anything I can do to calm him and help promote trust. sometimes, when I softly rub the top of his head he will close his eyes and to me, it seems, actually relax. Or he is just playing dead?

thanks again for the advice!

i haven't seen xoco in a while, he is living with my mom for a variety of reasons, but it was recommended to me to sit somewhere where they can't get away but he can climb on you or around you. i usually sat in the tub. i never made much progress because i had to leave. i miss my uros. i wish they were with me.
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vonnie

***Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months. Oscar Wilde ***

You were on the right track Vonnie. I'm sure you miss them too. I let mine walk around on me while I was moving around. They actually like seeing what's around them, they like to learn. And while they're doing this they're also learning to trust you. They start to learn YOU are their safe place outside their home. That's where they start bonding. I'm sure you'll get another chance with yours, and I'm sure they miss you too.
**Kenn**
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**Kenn**

I have had to pick up their "house" to get mine out too. While it's not recommended, if you want time with some of them that's what you need to do. It's not an every day thing though. Like I said try it only once or twice a week at first. Also Like Jeune18 said it does help to let them climb on you. I put them on my shoulder and let them climb around. I started inside then later when it was hot out I would go in the back yard and walk or stand around so the sun was hitting them. At one time I had three doing it at once!! That was interesting, and a real handful too. It takes time to build their trust, and it will be in their time which isn't always as fast as we would like.
About the when holding him thing. It is best to pick them up with your palm under their belly, and so their feet can get a hold of your hand. That way they feel safer. The more under them the safer they feel. Would you rather walk across a stream on a 2X4 or a bridge? Which would you rather sit on? There you go. It definitely WILL take time, but if you really want to be their friend isn't it worth the time? It's been 9 - 10 months now, a few more (if necessary) should be easy.
I got my nickname because I could even pick up wild Uros at the pet store that were skittish and they would calm down. That's what the salespeople started calling me and it just took.
You can do it, just be calm (not nervous) think calm thoughts like how much you like them. Talk to them quietly. Don't make sudden moves let them climb on you and you'll be friends in no time!!!
**Kenn**
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**Kenn**

thank you both for the advice! I'll keep you posted!