Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have a question. my new uro seems to be shy. i have multiple hides in his home and every time he see's me or any other person he dives right in there. but he comes out when its clear (usually in the next 2 min. or so). the thing that concerns me is that he hasnt had anything to eat since his arrival. and i know it takes time but we all know how anxious we want our new arrivals to settle in and eat asap. as far as my question goe's would it be better to eliminate his hides and will that help him become used to poeple passing or standing arround his enclosure? or is his security the important thing right now and should i give him more time to settle in? i just dont know how he will settle in if he's so used to dishing into his hide when he gets scared or nervous.

thnx for reading and replies in advance

Hmm, let's put yourself in the little lizards position. You're terrified of everything around you. It's new and strange... BUT!... you've got someplaces to hide, so when you get scared, you hide. Cool. Now... this big monster comes along and takes away all your hiding spots because he wants you not to be scared on his own personal schedule. One simple question- would you think your stress level would go up or down in this situation?

Let it acclimate first to its environment and then to people- all of which are foreign. Cover the viewable areas of the cage so it can't see people- try to feed him before he wakes up and clear the environment after the heat is off and it's sleeping. After a week or so, start taking down parts of the screening. My ocellateds are still going through this process months later.

Depending on your animal, its individual tendencies and the tendencies of the particular species may make it more flighty to the point it always runs. The two geyri I've had the longest are big into the run and hide behavior. It's hard wired in, but they're curious so they often only get halfway under the hide before they back out and watch me again. Then again, three of my newest geyri have no probem running and nearly no problem being handled (highly socialized male and very calm females). Three other new animals can hardly be seen before they disappear underneath something. Some of my animals can be easily handled while others are best left alone.

Take time and don't rush things- it's like any other relationship. Your animal is as much of an individual as you are and it's got limited ways to communicate limited things. The first thing communicated is fear. Respect it.

Now... something you can do is setup some time (wait some time so as to not bother the animal) where the cage is open and just sit there where you can be seen clearly. Don't move, just sit- if you have to move, do it slowly and DON'T look at the animal. Possibly use a mirror if you want to watch. Maybe read a book (I do homework). The animal should come out once it realizes you're not a threat, but this will take time to learn.
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2.4.0 uromastyx geyri (Saharan/Nigerian)
0.0.4 uromastyx hardwickii (Indian)
2.3.0 uromastyx macfadyeni (Somalian)
1.3.0 uromastyx ocellata (Sudanese)
"Yes, it's a problem. No, I don't want to talk about it."

thnx for the tips. i never really thought about placing their food and cleaning up while its asleep. will definitely have to start doing that. i've also noticed something u mentioned. my mali wont run when i get to or around his enclosure, he runs when i leave (i also must include that i do watch him as i leave). so i'll have to be aware of that

thx again

sweet i got up early in the morning before his lights came on and put a dish of food infront of his morning hide (he sleeps elswhere at night) and i checked up later on and found him munching on his food!

yay! i am glad that he is eating for you
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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 ***

My little mali was the same way, hiding as soon as she saw movement in any part of the room. It was suggested to cover the tank, so I did - but after a week or two, I decided it wasn't working out, because she would dash away if she saw me through the cover. I thought she'd never get used to me if she never saw me regularly.

So I uncovered it and she was forced to take the "risk" and come out to eat if she was hungry. The first few weeks were rough, I tried my hardest to move slowly in the room, but she would dash anyway.

Its now been three months, though, and she comes out regularly to eat and sit around, even when im in the room. (I work at home, so I sit at my computer most of the day - the tank is behind me.) Just today she was running around the whole tank, climbing and glass dancing while I watched. I can now *slowly* approach her until I'm right at the glass, and she won't run. She keeps her little beady eye on me, LOL, but she doesn't usually run. I found it helps a LOT to approach her low (face-to-face.) She seems much more scared when I come from above. (probably thinks I'm a hungry bird!)

So, there is hope for your uro! Its hard to judge their personalities so soon, but don't be discouraged just yet. Give it a few months. Don't remove the hides. Look at it this way - would you rather have a uro alert enough to sense danger and escape - or one who is too lethargic to even notice?

Good luck!
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~ Vamppire
Queens, New York City