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newbie with a mali

elykyllek Sep 24, 2003 11:28 AM

Hello all, monday I bought a few months old mali. I think shes a girl, just be because shes pretty plain looking compared to pictures of males I've seen.

I've quite a few questions, so here goes:

1) Its now wednesday, since monday she has eaten two crickets, and vegetables, but I have not as of yet noticed any droppings.

2) I've got a 150watt day glow that I run during the day, the hot side of the take is about 112degrees, and the cool about 85, is this alright?

3) I've got a rock, is it alright to put this on the hot side of the take or will it be too hot?

4) I took her out of tank for the first time today, she squirmed a bit, but eventually calmed down, after about five minutes of that I put her back, after a little while her throat moved rapidly, her eyes made weird movements, and then something shot out of her eyes. Is this normal, or is this a reaction to be scared, or something like that?

5) After reading this forum and sites, I've begun to become concerned about tail rot. I had a small bowel of water for awhile in the tank, but she seems to enjoy walking through it and getting her tail wet. I've since removed the water, should I be concerned about that?

6) Every little bit she starts clawing and bascially trying to climb the glass of her tank, will she always do this, is it becase she sees her reflection?

7) the substrate in her tank is Repti Sand, the bag says its desert quartz sand. I've noticed that her food sometimes becomes lightly covered in it, should I be concerned about her eating a small amount of it?

8) After just buying her, how often should I take her out of the tank and interact with her? For how long? Do mali's like to be petted in certain places?

9) Is there anything else I should know about, things to watch out for etc when raising my mali?

Sorry about all the questions, but I'd like her to live a long happy life, and if I need to fix anything I'd like to know as soon as possible.

Thanks

Replies (3)

elykyllek Sep 24, 2003 12:54 PM

correction to number 1, I believe I have infact found a couple of droppings, they're little black seed like things, so I think she's fine in that department.

fruitionx Sep 25, 2003 11:15 AM

Welcome and good luck post any more questions you might have!

1) Its now wednesday, since monday she has eaten two crickets, and vegetables, but I have not as of yet noticed any droppings.
-Sometimes they do not go to the bathroom for days at a time, as long as they go once or twice a week at least i think you are fine. I would also not offer her too many crickets only a few every two weeks. I give mine 8 waxies, (4 each) every two weeks. Sometimes i give them 6 each which they love. Great to put on a little weight also.

2) I've got a 150watt day glow that I run during the day, the hot side of the take is about 112degrees, and the cool about 85, is this alright?
-That sounds fine, make sure the basking area is 120-130

3) I've got a rock, is it alright to put this on the hot side of the take or will it be too hot?
-I would put the rock on the hot side to form a basking area. I do this for my uros and it makes a great spot, the temps on mine get to be around 130 which they love. As long as it doesn't get to be over 150 i wouldn't worry about it.

4) I took her out of tank for the first time today, she squirmed a bit, but eventually calmed down, after about five minutes of that I put her back, after a little while her throat moved rapidly, her eyes made weird movements, and then something shot out of her eyes. Is this normal, or is this a reaction to be scared, or something like that?
-Ihave never seen this in my uros, but it might be just like a thrid eyelid, i have seen my uros do that when they have had water in their eyes. possibly just stress with the throat.

5) After reading this forum and sites, I've begun to become concerned about tail rot. I had a small bowel of water for awhile in the tank, but she seems to enjoy walking through it and getting her tail wet. I've since removed the water, should I be concerned about that?
-You do not need water in your uros cage. It will do more harm then good, humidity due to the high temps etc. I would take itout and just make sure you give her moist greens. Tail rot occurs when they do not get their tail completely dry after it being wet. After a hot soak for example i blow dry my uros and make sure their tail is completely dry, even though they tend not to enjoy the tail drying.

6) Every little bit she starts clawing and bascially trying to climb the glass of her tank, will she always do this, is it becase she sees her reflection?
-this will not cause her any harm and it will most likely last until she is an adult throughout the rest of her life. It is called glass dancing. No harm in it, both my uros do it sometimes my leos too.

7) the substrate in her tank is Repti Sand, the bag says its desert quartz sand. I've noticed that her food sometimes becomes lightly covered in it, should I be concerned about her eating a small amount of it?
-I would be slightly concerned, but my guys do drag their food through the sand sometimes, i would put it in a dish or repti rock type thing to somewhat prevent this from happening. a little sand will not hurt them but best try and avoid it, especially with a younger uro.

8) After just buying her, how often should I take her out of the tank and interact with her? For how long? Do mali's like to be petted in certain places?
-For the first 2 weeks i wouldn't take her out too much. Once her acclimation period is over however, you can start taking her out for 15-30 minutes after that they normally get a little cold. Unless you have them outside that is what i would reccomend. You can do this everyday, it will just make your uro tamer. All uros are different most hate their tails touched however. Rico loves his head touched and under his belly. The female i have likes her cheeks rubbed. I also try to get different people who are responsible to hold my uros to get them better adjusted to many people.

9) Is there anything else I should know about, things to watch out for etc when raising my mali?
-Not much, I would make sure you dust her greens once or twice a week and make sure you use a UVB bulb i knbow this is of debate but there is no harm in having one. Good luck!
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Lauren
Leos and Uros

elykyllek Sep 25, 2003 12:57 PM

7) the substrate in her tank is Repti Sand, the bag says its desert quartz sand. I've noticed that her food sometimes becomes lightly covered in it, should I be concerned about her eating a small amount of it?
-I would be slightly concerned, but my guys do drag their food through the sand sometimes, i would put it in a dish or repti rock type thing to somewhat prevent this from happening. a little sand will not hurt them but best try and avoid it, especially with a younger uro.

- I keep her food in a repti rock type dish thing, she does tend to drag a little bit of sand into her dish, I guess I'll have to keep a watch on it, and sure that I regularly remove the sand from the dish.

Thanks answering my questions, most appreciated.
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1 juvenile Mali named Asher

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