Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I've heard of this before, but I don't exactly understand what this is. Any explanations would be really helpful. I've had my uro for about three weeks now, and so I've started holding him/her for the past couple days. Every time I try to pick him/her up, it always whips its tail. I was wondering how long this is gonna last. Thanks ahead of time!

Brumation is a wintertime slowdown. It's not a true hibernation, but similar in some ways. They usually sleep much of the time and often don't eat. If you don't change their environment in the winter, they may not brumate, but some will, whether you like it or not.

Tail whipping is one of their natual defenses when threatened. It may never stop. But if you're patient and don't push too hard, your uro may come to understand that you aren't going to eat it. Speak to it when you're in the room, offer it treats from your hand, move slowly around it. If you need to pick it up, come from the side rather than from above like a bird of prey. If you can help it, don't handle him at all until he's ready. Let him get used to you slowly and eventually he may tolerate you handling him. Neither of my Saharans will tolerate handling (without thrashing) and I've had them for years. I've just learned to accept that, though I do still try to encourage them to eat from my hands.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx geyri (Joe and Arthur)
3.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Tank, Turtle, and Spike)
1.0 Uromastyx ornata (Scuttlebutt)
2.1 Anolis carolinensis (Bowser, Sprocket, and Leeloo)
0.1 African dwarf frog (Sheila)
1.0 Betta splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

those are all good suggestions. also a uro is long and if you only pick up part of him, he may thrash the back half around in fear/balance
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***