Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I went and bought (5) 40lbs bags of top soil today and one large bag of vermiculite. To my surprise, it only filled maybe half the area I wanted to fill! So sometime this weekend or next week, I'm going to pick up a couple more bags of top soil. But anyways, I let the enclosure heat up and then moved the little guy in. I gotta say, I really liked how it turned out and I *think* he may not mind it either. He's already much more active than he's ever been and he's not even bothered with the cave he used to stay in most of the day. It doesn't seem to be activity due to stress, but more of a sense of curiosity and "space." He's been openly basking and exploring and not running and hiding when I walk in like he used to do. Was only going to take one or two photos, as you can see though...ended up with a few more than planned. Enjoy!
-Brian

Pic 1-Male Mali Under the Basking Spot (he was hissing and doing the little 'S' dance)

Pic 2- Him Again Under the Basking Spot...he was actually getting annoyed in this photo, no the first one.

Pic 3-Here's his basking spot/hot end of the enclosure

Pic 4- This is the "cool end" of the enclosure

Pic 5-He had enough of the camera and decided to hide, as you can see, his tail is blurry because he was doing that little 'S' dance again

Pic 6-Last Pic for now...this is how I finally decided to set up the basking lights. I made a 1/8" error in measurement on that square cut, so I did some brainstorming and this was my solution

Nice pics Brian! Got an idea for the square hole (did this once in a Chameleon set-up) Staple a piece of wire cloth half inch mesh on the inside to support your light fixture. Just make sure he'll still get the temps needed. The "S" dance... my male Ornate does it ALL the time! I call it a "Jelly Roll"!
Nice job on your new home!
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JDBlackdog
Blackdog Uromastyx

OOPS! Just read your other post below...you already know about the wire cloth!! Nice pics anyway!!!
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JDBlackdog
Blackdog Uromastyx

Does your female ornate also do this? I have one lone ornate and I'm not sure of its sex yet, but it does the "s" dance with a vengeance...Could this indicate sex, or do all of them do it? Thanks...

SR

No, Big Momma don't dance...I believe it's a TOTAL aggression thing.(or simple annoyance) She was CB reprotably purchased from Doulas Dix. He surely was WC, purchased at a Herp show in Philly. Her demenor is very docile, while he will bite if pi$$ed off enough! Uros have extremely powerful jaws!!OUCH!! I don't think "S" dance can be used to help in determining sex...But a "Circle" dance IS male! Post a pic..with Ornates, We should be able to tell. Or e-mail some if more convienent.

JDBLACKDOG@MSN.COM

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Jason
Blackdog Uromastyx Pics

Wow, you weren't kidding when you said "Big Momma"...how old is she, do you know?

Unfortunately, I have no digital camera...but I must say my guy (or gal)is an extremely irritable and cranky lizard...He "s" dances when I reach to pick him up, and if I persist, he whacks me with his tail, although he hasn't offered to bite yet (hooray!)...He also came from a herp expo as a hatchling, supposedly CB in Europe...There is some blue on his head and a scattering of bright blue individual scales on the back of his neck, but no color on his arms, legs, tail or sides...femoral pores are small, although pre-anal pores are very large..no circle dancing, but he's housed by himself so has no one to display to...He's probably about 9-10 months old and is 7" long...Any ideas? I'd really like to figure it out, since I'd like to buy him a mate, but am not positive what sex to get...Thanks again...

SR

At his age it's going te be difficult. This coming year he should "Bloom" showing his-her adult color. Males femoral pores will be larger (than females) at this age, But without others to compare to in the same age bracket...or possible pics, all you can do is wait. I have some Belly shots, but they to fuzzy to get any real info from.

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Jason
Blackdog Uromastyx Pics

np