Reptile & Amphibian Forums

WE BOUGHT A PAIR OF UROS THE FIRST OF JUNE FOR OUR SONS. WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM ON SITE. AFTER 1 DAY WHEN CLEANING OUT DROPPING FOUND PARASITES CALLED PET STORE TOOK THEM IN & THEY WERE REWORMED NEXT DAY THE MALE DIED. 3 WEEKS LATER THEY REPLACED THE MALE & REWORMED FEMALE. THIS MALE LIVED 1 WEEK. WE NOW JUST HAVE THE FEMALE SHE IS A JOY, NOT BITING NOT HISSING LIKES TO BE HANDLED & PLAYED WITH. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO SHE STARTED NOT COMING OUT OF HER BURROW FOR 1 TO 2 DAYS AND NOT POOPING DAILY(NOW ONLY EVERY 3 TO 5 DAYS WITH BATHS DAILY) TOOK HER TO THE VET & THE VET SAID SHE WAS HEALTHY MIGHT BE GOING TO LAY EGGS FIX HER UP A 2ND BURROW WHICH WE DID. NO CHANGE CALLED VET SAID BATH DAILY, WE DO BUT THIS IS STILL NOT WORKING. SHE EATS A VARIETY OF MUSARD, TURNIP, COLLARD GREENS, BOK CHOY, CARROTS, THAWED FROZEN MIXED VEGGIES, HIBISCUS FLOWERS WE GROW, IGUANA PELLETS. PLEASE HELP WE LOVE HER DEARLY AND DO NOT WANT TO LOSE HER OR HAVE HER NOT FEELING HER BEST.
GOD BLESS & THANK-YOU,
SHERRI

Hey,
I'm sorry to hear about your uros. I am not an expert uro keeper, but I have had my mali for a year now and I know he was doing the same thing. He went through brumation, the normal hibernation period, but he never seemed to come out of it. He would only come out for a couple hours a day, if that, and eat very little. I just recently upgraded his basking light from a 120W to a 150W Zoomed "floodlight" which makes his basking area, and overall cage alot warmer. His basking area has always been at 120*F, but before I got the new light it was only right under the light that reached this temperature, and the cool side was a bit too cool. Now the whole cage is warmer, not too warm, but the perfect temperature, 120*F basking, 90*F cool end. Anyways, to make a long story short, I recommend trying a new basking light. I know that since I have changed the light he has been coming out of his hiding log every morning, eating alot more, and now is up until sometimes 10pm basking himself (I feel bad turning the lights off on him, but I sometimes have to!)The light is only around $10, so you can easily try it. Hope this helps! Let me know what happens.
~Sarah

Temperatures can definately cause them to not come out. You may want to make sure that your temps are all good such as 120 basking area, 100 hot end, 80 cool end. Also want to know if you are using a UVB bulb? Its a must so that she can digest her food properly. Is she still eating well? or not? If she is eating but nothing is coming out, there could be impaction going on. I think this vet needs to look closer and rule out any form of blockage.

Brumation typcially only happens when it is "forced" so to speak. Uro's brumate when the temps are slowly turned down over a period of time to where they are quite cool. This is a long process in order to make it happen so that they can breed in the spring season. So I have doubts that is the cause. (check it out on the deer fern farms caresheet). My uros never go thru the brumation period since I continue the same light cycles throughout the winter months.

Another thing is are you leaving the lights on enough?? They need 12 hours of a UVB bulb and around 10 with a basking bulb. That could affect them as well.

Not sure if this helps or not but do want to say how sorry I am for the loss of your other ones.

Renee