Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question my 6 month old Uro is still skittish...Any opinions on either playing music or movies in the background...I think he's not used to people noises, and i have tried offering him yummies by hand but he is terrified...I thought having some noise in the background might help

thanks
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Renee
Mr Aloysius Pendergast Lizardo Uromastyx.Mali 6 months old

Mr Faust Lizardo Uromastyx Hardiwiki May he Rest in Peace

This is my opinion and others may very well know something that I do not. You have to understand something and that is that these creatures are not human's and they do not have the genetic hardwiring so to say to be psychologically influenced by music in the background to settle skittishness. I know that I have heard of this being used in humans and I can understand the benefits. However to a small lizard that, by instinct, is constantly on the look out for predators, this would only contribute to your uro's nerves. Most animals in the wild depend on unnatural sounds, smells and other stimuli to determine weather to flee an area or not due to potential harm.

My suggestion would be to make sure you have an accurate setup with proper temps and feeding regimes. Once you know for sure that your uro has a comfortable environment to thrive in, then just do your daily business without interfering with him. Of course, by not interfering with him I am speaking about playing music for him. It will take time, but he will eventually get used to his feeding schedule, lighting times, and everyday outside noises that your family puts out. Let him decide that your not a predator and the outside noises are completly normal.

Happy Herping,

-Paul

I am very hands on with my uro, and he has grown to like me alot. First step is to make sure that enough of his cage is covered, three sides. This way, he only has to think about what is happening outside his cage on one side. Second, when you feed him, make sure he sees YOU with the food. Approach slowly, and show him the food through the glass before you reach in and place it in the tank. Also, keep trying with the hand fed treats. Make sure that you move slowly and that he sees your hand with the dandilion, or other large treat, through the glass BEFORE you reach in and hand it to him. Keep in mind, many of their natural predators, like birds, attack form the sky, so many uros are scared of something appearing from above.

Lastly, where is the tank in your house? We have Batista in a room that is not overly active/loud all the time, but still has people in it every day. When he sees calm people on a daily basis, he will eventually accept you. Good luck and I'm sure he'll come around.

His tank is in my bedroom and I unfortunately am at work for 10 hours a day there is no other person in my room or my house for that matter. He is not awake when I leave the food for him as I leave my house at 6:30 AM. He is in a Very quiet place, very little human noise to be around... thats the only reason I asked about music...not to calm him down but to get him used to human type noise. I hate scaring the little guy.
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Renee
Mr Aloysius Pendergast Lizardo Uromastyx.Mali 6 months old

Mr Faust Lizardo Uromastyx Hardiwiki May he Rest in Peace

I guess I got lucky. My little egyptian will walk right into my hand, seems to beg to come to me at times. Eats from my hand no problems, etc. Only had him a couple weeks also. The only time he seems timid is if he's under a hide- leave him be.

We've never observed any behavioral changes due to the TV, stereo or other background noises. Then again, they're never turned up loud by any means, just enough for us to appreciate what's being said or sung! Vacume cleaners & food processors are another matter.
I can't see where noise in the background could "help" but if low-key, it shouldn't "hurt."

It seems like your on the right track with your Uro. Just keep doing your normal day to day living styles and he will eventually come around. If music isn't a normal sound in your home, then I would advise not having it add to your uro's current issues. Is your little guy or girl a wild caught or captive bred?

I believe he is captive bred but I am not sure I bought it from the same place I got my last one...but the lady who handled the reptile
section passed away from a stroke so the reptiles weren't getting handled as much as they were before...I just feel so bad that he is so skittish. I sit with my hand in the tank and not touching him but the minute my hand goes in he starts scrambling and I'm not even touching him.
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Renee
Mr Aloysius Pendergast Lizardo Uromastyx.Mali 6 months old

Mr Faust Lizardo Uromastyx Hardiwiki May he Rest in Peace

One thing that worked well for me to calm down my mali, Meatloaf, was puting a shirt that I had worn into his cage for a few days. Each day I would open the cage and put my hand in without trying to touch him, but getting closer and closer to him. It took him a long time to come round, but now he will even eat out of my hand. More than anything, I would say just give it time. They need to do things in their own time. Good luck!
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Ethans Den