Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My new uro is contantly at the glass, scratching like he wants out. Does this usually die down after a while? Can I do anything to help him get better acclimated?

This is actually a good sign that he is getting comfortable with his new home, This is a very common occurence, they glass dance on a regular basis, mine does it constantly and probably will continue to
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1 mali uro - oni
2 bearded dragons- Trogdor "the burninator",Strom

Is "glass dance" the phrase we have made up to make us feel better that our reptile actually wants to get the heck out of a glass enclosure?

There is a thread on this somewhere. It is a sign of stress. I know it is common and happens in a lot of cases (mostly with WC). Covering the glass with paper or cardboard can help reduce this along with adding more climbing/hide spots in the enclosure. Some people have claimed it causes to spinal injury in time but I don't know the truth to that. Hope this helps.
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1.1 Ornates (Lindsay Pike)
0.0.1 Mali

Even if you give them tons of room (like your living room space for example), some run to the nearest wall and dance there too. It might just be a climbing instinct (malis seem to really like climbing) and they don't understand the concept of a sheer wall. Don't worry too much about it.
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1 Mali Uromastyx named Ra

get back in the tank. LOL Go figure !

They are not stressed, had them for years. They have a whole room to roam in.
But after a time, they will return to the outside of the tank and start the scratching !
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Eve

Well, here's how I set up the tank. Went with the playground sand like suggested. I'm going to add more decor, but was wondering if live cacti would be okay with her? I want to make her home nice and cozy.

Thanks
Cory

Ooops, I'm sorry. That last post was supposed to go under "Substrate". I must have hit the wrong link.

that looks pretty good, add some stuff to crimb on and explore and i'm sure he will be very happy
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1 mali uro - oni
2 bearded dragons- Trogdor "the burninator",Strom

Hi there,

I've already posted my opinions on glass dancing... scroll down to the last post on the topic if interested.

As for your tank, I'd definitely suggest adding more stuff to it, ie. rocks, or driftwood, or stacks as other people have. Also, you NEED to have several hides, cave-like or tunnel-like. At least one on each end, and more if you can.

I'm not sure about having cacti in the enclosure. I will not do it, but some people do. Keep in mind that your uro will most likely eat it, so make sure that the plant you choose is not toxic for the uro to eat, and make sure that it has not had any pesticides or chemicals used on it.

Hope this helps,
Nicki
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0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - New babies!
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

ok, i think everyone on here has read the posts about "glass dancing" being bad, and how it's a sign of stress....which i think it very well can be. but as was siad above it is also a normal behavior...i think especially malis love to climb...as was said about they don't understand a straight wall that they can't climb up.

i agree that over time it could cause spinal injury, just from the position that they're in that's not natural. i don't think that we can do much to stop it besides giving them added stimulus, adding cage decor around the sides and by giving them climbing branches.

i have found that my uro loves to have the fake rock walls that i made for him....he still claws like crazy but he pulls himself up the wall and gets up higher in his cage, then just sits there perfectly content....then jumps down and starts crawling around again.

i am not really sure if this "glass dancing" fenominon is good or bad. i think it very well could be both...especially with new imports...but most figure out that the wall is a wall and they stop.

i also think that having the ability to see out and not get out of the cage can cause great stress to the uro too.

i hope atleast some of this is understandable to someone....if not then just ignore it.

trevor
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Trevor Bennett
E-mail: yruemailinme15@yahoo.com
yahoo SN: yruemailinme15
location: Salem, Oregon