Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my hand feeding didn't go so well today with my pair of wc geyri. They spent half the day hiding and then up until now roaming. They don't run when they see me but they do stop moving. Rongo runs when I open the cage and Phoebe usually stays. Am I starting too soon? When after the hand feeding should I handle them? I know it's different lengths for individual uros but maybe there's a time frame? I caught rongo scarfing down some food today and saw phoebe doing so yesterday and they seem to be on a usual healthy uro schedule so they're healthy. I plan on taking them to the vet this weekend for their firt check up. Thanks in advance.

rushing the uros will only make it harder to get them acclimated and used to handling. If I recall, you've only had them for a couple days now, right? I would wait a couple more days before I would start hand feeding them, and letting them basically see that I'm not a threat (mine likes to lick my fingers when I take her out, just to make sure it's me). Think of it this way. First of all, new reptiles accimating is always going to take at least a week or so. Add to the mix that they're wild caught and it makes it harder. They've most likely gone from their homes in the wild, to hours upon hours of transporting, to a temporary home (I'm assuming), and then more transporting, and finally to you. Imagine being a little uro that knows nothing of the world besides what they need to know to survive and reproduce, and then imagine going through all of that trouble. They are in a new situation and you need to let them get used to it. Hand feeding is a good idea though because it will help them get used to you better, but you shouldn't expect to have success on your first attempt.

In my opinion, wild caught animals have had rough lives. They were taken from their homes in the wild to smaller homes where they are basically controlled by you as opposed to being controlled by natural events (weather, etc.). That's why I think it would be absolutely great if we can get breeding projects setup (many of them) so we can start to have a better captive bred population. It would be cool to have CB uromastyx as available as CB bearded dragons (though bearded dragons are only available captive bred outside of australia, due to the export laws). Just some opinions. I just think this sort of ties in with the acclimation period, though every animal, whether CB or WC is going to be a little different about acclimating.

Good luck with your new uros.

Wait I will. I've been giving them the room to themselves for about two thirds of the day and then just ignoring them, besides the regular stuff, while using the room so that they'll get used to my presence. I try not to directly look at them too. As for cb, I've bought everything I own that way besides these uros. They just weren't available cb through an actual business. I did buy them from deerfernfarms though so due to their acclimating wc uros, mine shouldn't be horribly stressed. Of course any trip through the mail is going to scare the bejesus out of them though. I didn't plan on handling them until next week but another week won't hurt. Does this mean that I should avoid the trip to the vet until next week?

Ok, it sounds like you're doing the right thing. If the uros are acting healthy, and they don't have really runny stools, then I would probably put off the vet trip for a couple weeks. It's important to get them into the vet, but if it can be avoided, it's best not to take them to the vet right while they are aclimating. It's just extra stress that will make it harder for them to get used to their new lives. If you wait until a week or two after they are fairly used to their new home and used to your presense, then would probably be the best time to get them to the vet. That way they are only stressed out for a day or two afterwards, and it's not piling up on top of other stress from the new setting and everything.

Have fun with your new reptiles.