Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my mali for almost a year, never having owned a lizard before. Lately some of his toes have been tapping on his log or substrate like he is taping to music. Is this a common occurrence? Also he has been having white chunks on his nose that fall off when he rubs his nose on a log. From what I have read that is just salt deposits and isn't a big deal. But lately, he hasn't been eating very much and defecating once every 2-3 days. Is this typical during the winter months?

I can't say anything for the tapping, but my mali, Meatloaf did eat much less during the winter months. This happened even though nothing in his environment changed. The temps stayed the same, and I didn't change the light period. He just seemed to know.
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Ethans Den

Be sure that his UVB lighting is fresh and that he is getting
some calcium supplementation of some kind which has
vitamin D-3 in it.

The tapping could be a red flag warning that he is ailing from
calcium deficiency, whether from lack of UVB absorption
from out dated lamps or the lack of vitamin D-3 in his diet.

The lack of appetite and reduction of fecal/urate elimination
could go hand in hand with the calcium deficiency.

A vet visit is always in good order but for now, you might
check to see that his UVB lighting as well as proper vit/calc
supplementation is up to snuff.

John

It figures that when I got home today he was back to normal. The supplement I use is 2:1, and it does have D3. I figured out the calcium deficiency because I used to have him in calcium sand, and now i use alfalfa pellets and didn't change the amount of calcium I was giving. I upped the amount of calcium about a week ago and for the first time in a while he is very active. I love watching him run around!
As for the lights how often are you supposed to change the lamps? I change the UVA when they go out, and the UVB lamp has not been replaced since I got it last year. Is that something I should do?

Your UVB lamp should be replaced every six months if you do not have a UVB meter. An exception is Mega Ray; they should be replaced once a year unless you can monitor the output.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.0 Green Anoles (Bowser and Sprocket)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

if your light is putting out a bluish light its fair to assume its still putting out uv light
if its putting out more of a white light its time to replace it.
adam
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.