1. What are some visual characteristics I can look at to tell whether it is a male or a female?
Adult males will generally be larger, have more black on their bodies as well as more yellow. Many female Mali's in captivity are "male mimics" and show a lot of black and yellow so it can be hard to judge by color alone. Once it is comfortable with handling you can check under her back legs. Males have enlarged femoral pores running ont he underside of their thighs.
2.. It only seems to eat food out of my hand and won't really act interested in the food in the dish. Is this normal?
I have found this to be fairly normal. It somehow seems more enticing when it is moving or possibly they feel they must eat it before you take it away. If your Uro is already eating from your hand it should acclimate quite quickly.
3. How long before I should start to handle it, I just want to know so I can make arrangements to take it to the vet and help it shed off some of the skin it can not seem to get off its back leg. these are both things I only want to do if it is comforatble with me handling it.
once you notice it eating significant amounts and it seems unstressed by its environment you should be fine. Most recommend at least a week of non-handling, but it really varies by individual uro.
4 it is constantly scratching at the glass as well as rubbing its nose is this normal?
yes, this is normal. It will do this throughout it's life, usually when hungry and really warm.
5.it has a little cut on its tail and front toe how can I treat these cuts?
I would use a half strength betadine solution. Use a q-tip and dab it on the wounds. You may want to keep it on newspaper or paper towels until the wounds heal.
I am sorry there are so many questions I just figured this would be the place to get them all answered buy people who have experience with these wonderful lizards.
Question=happy uros so keep asking away! Congratulations on your new little one.
Peter
