Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey Romeo, I just thought I would answer your question up here since it was posted so far down the page it may not be seen.

"He has layed in the hideout all day and won't come out and won't eat I fear there is something wrong.

Romeo"

If I remember correctly this is a new Uro, and a new hide? It can take him awhile to adjust to his new surroundings, now that he has a hide he may use it a lot until he is more comfortable, particularly in an all glass set up.

Given your temporary set up though, it may also be a sign of an additional problem, it is really hard to tell. He may be sleeping more because the tank is too cool, he could be getting slightly dehydrated, it is really impossible to say, imho. I know you are planning on building a new tank this weekend, but keep in mind it may need to air out for quite a while depending on what you build it out of. If you seal it it can off gas for a couple of weeks, if you use polyeurothane, it can be closer to a month . Just something to consider regarding how long the little tyke is going to be in the 10 gallon tank vs setting him up in a rubbermaid tank.

I wish I had an easier answer to your query, maybe others will have some additional ideas.

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

Would I really have to seal it being my mali doesn't have water in it's cage?

Also an update on behavior. When I went and got him from the petshop they said at one time they had him in a way smaller tank than 10 gal. but when I picked him up he was so calm and tame he was cute. I took him home and did all this and last night he was like a nanometer from swatting me from just putting food in the cage. I know he needs time to adjust but I think I am scared of him now even if he is put in a bigger cage.

romeo

The monstrous behavior is actually a good sign. People pick up a lizard at the pet shop that's very calm and docile and bring it home to good conditions (space, heat, light, food) and find out they have a beast. They are often so cold, hungry, or sick at the pet shop that they can't even struggle, which is interpreted as "friendly".

Now that he's feeling well enough to fight you, that's good! You can get him into his real home and let him adjust to it and to you. Over time, he'll settle down and realize you aren't out to eat him.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
2.0.1 Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and new neighbor Spike)
1.2 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser, Leeloo, and Sprocket)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)
And several miscellaneous community fish

Romeo,

I am so sorry you are afraid of him. It can happen, and they can be aggressive when they want to. I think depending on what you feel comfortable with you can become comfortable with him again. Once he gets moved to a bigger cage with a proper environment and hides, you can start acclimating him to you, I should warn you though this can take some time, think months not days.

I have never heard anyone on the forum talk about a Uro who stayed aggressive, there are some that do not enjoy socializing, and are skittish, hence spending most of the time in their hides, but I have never heard anyone saying that they have a MEAN Uro. There is always the possibility that you got the 1 in a thousand chance, but I am guessing he will calm right down once he gets comfortable. The young ones like that tend to be very active and not want to be held very much, at least that is my current experience with them. After a little over a month my baby will now eat out of my hand, but go balistic if I try to pick him up, and they each have their own personality.

If you really are too scared of him to keep working with him, you may be able to take him back to the petstore (assuming it was a good petstore, otherwise please don't return him there! ). Depending on where you live someone on the list may even be willing to take him. They do make great pets though, once they get settled. Unless of course you want a cuddly pet, then I would go for a hamster.

Let me know if I can be of any help. Getting started, especially with such a young Uro, can be hard.

Elizabeth
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1.0 Mali Uro Archimedes
0.0.1 Egyptian Uro Zuberi Mosca Khu (Mosca)
0.0 Fish
0.1 Sulcata Minnie
1.1 Iguanas Flik and Loki
0.1 Newfoundland Jasmine
0.1 Feline Winter
Indiana & Wisconsin

>>Also an update on behavior. When I went and got him from
>>the petshop they said at one time they had him in a way
>>smaller tank than 10 gal. but when I picked him up he was
>>so calm and tame he was cute. I took him home and did all
>>this and last night he was like a nanometer from swatting
>>me from just putting food in the cage. I know he needs time
>>to adjust but I think I am scared of him now even if he is
>>put in a bigger cage.

It takes time for animals to adjust. Patience is a virtue.

We had Wizard (our mali) for more than a year before we could hold him. Even now, after four years with us, he's only comfortable with people he knows -- namely, my eldest daughter (his primary keeper) and me. He's a very sweet beast, but it took time to earn his trust.

In a way, I like lizards because they are difficult to befriend sometimes.

My rescued juvenile iguana, Rex, is quite fiesty; I now have a lovely semi-circular scar, just the size of Rex's mouth, on my hand. I expect it'll be two or three more months before he stops fighting so hard about being held. Progress is being made; he no longer slaps his tail at me when I feed him or put my hand in his tank. And he loved his mistings, which I try to associate with my presence.

Uros look more intimidating than they are. Be patient.
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Scott Robert Ladd
1.0.0 Iguana (Rex)
1.0.0 African Giant Plated Lizard (Clyde)
1.0.0 Uro mali (Wizard)
0.1.0 Corn Snake (Amber)
1.1.0 Red-Eared Sliders (Jade and Emerald)
0.4.0 Homo sapiens (Maria, Elora, Becky, Tessa)
blog: http://chaoticcoyote.blogspot.com/

how long ago did you get him? he probably just needs time. he is most likely very scared because he does not know what is happening. he might have been in that pet store for a very long time. i work at a pet store and there is a bearded dragon that has been there since way before i started working there. i started working there about 2 months ago. and i saw him in there about 2 months before that. god knows how long he has been there. but my point is he most likely was taken from a place he was used to. and brought into a strange place with new people. if he was nice at the pet store. asuming he was well taken care of and not just cold or sick. i think he will come around. good luck. i love my uros to death. and i think they love me too. they even beg to be taken out of there cage. sorry this is so long. ill shut up now.
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brandy

Give it time to adjust.Our Saharan was very calm at the pet store but once home it would run and flip around if you tried to pick him up.He's alot better now.We havent been able to have much interaction with them until lately other than feeding because we both have been sick on and off for about a month and a half.So he a little wild.Saharans are a little higher strung than others though.You can wait till its is a little cooler temp wise before you try and hold it.Just take it in small steps.Our mali will eat out of my hand and if I put my hand in the cage she will climb up my arm.Flick the Saharan wont eat out of my hand yet or eat if Im watching him.If I put my hand in the cage when he's basking he just looks at it and wont move.I have found that if I move to quick or slide the cage top to fast he will run.So I try to move slowly when Im picking him up or putting food in the tank.