Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

It's been awhile since I was a part of this forum... I have a Mali named Gracie who is now 3.5 years old. I purchased her from Doug Dix and have tried to stick to his care instructions regarding temperatures, lighting, and substrate. Gracie has had her own ideas about proper nutrition, and until recently refused anything but peas, romaine, dandelions, and superworms. There has been much vitamin supplementing in her life, and now she's much happier eating bok choy and some fruits (and rarely gets worms).

Here's what I'm concerned about: on either side of ner neck she's got what look like pouches or swellings. They seem to be fluid-filled and can be more or less full. I wonder if this could be related to water/salts, as she is also rounder (disk-shaped) than most Malis I see pictures of, and doesn't always have that wrinkled appearance along her sides (she sometimes looks completely filled). Gracie has a great disposition and doesn't act sick, and I'd like her to stay that way!

Oh, another thing: her claws look very long. Is it necessary to give her the opportunity to wear them down? Do you cut them? She has one claw that seems to be growing to the side rather than down. Again, none of this seems to hold her back, but I don't want to develop any problems as a result.

Thanks!

can't address the first part, probably need to see pix, but the second part is addressable. you can cut the toenails using a nail clipper. sometimes easier to do when they're sleeping. if you feel uncomfortable doing so a good vet can do it for alnost nothing. Its not bad for them. they're all different some need it regularly, others never or rarely. Front claws are also a sure fire way to sex an animal. Females always have longer thinner front claws than males......

is she just really chubby and has neck rolls? hugo has necks rolls. he loves to eat alot of the things he will eat. my malis are also picky and only eat bok choy as a leafy green and peas and some dry beans. someone recommended a food processor so they can't flick out the stuff they don't like. i haven't had a chance to try it yet as i am getting ready to move and don't need anymore stuff.

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vonnie
***The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.
— Mark Russell***

I had considered at one point that she could be eating too much. I guess I don't know how much is normal, and I don't feed her every day... But between May and October she gained 38g. I noticed last year, too, that summer through fall is when she eats the most, grows, and sheds. At this point, she's about 9" total length and 204g. At 3.5 years old, I'd think she should be done growing. Or, is this highly variable? I want her to get bigger, but not fat. I haven't quite figured out how to attach a photo, but will as soon as I can. Thanks!

well hugo is about 10 inches and at his last weigh in he was about 240 grams, helga is about 12 inches and she is like 350 grams.
if you use my lizards porportions x/205=12/350 then she would need to be 7 inches to have helga's proportions and x/205=10/240, she would need to be 8.5 inches to have hugo's proportions, so being 9 inches and 205 grams isn't off.
i am not saying i have the perfect sized lizards, ha ha, but the vet was very happy with their weights when i took them in. hopefully that helps put it into perspective for you
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vonnie
***The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.
— Mark Russell***

I feed mine everyday..there hardy eaters. I have found that they grow pretty slow and throughout there life so yours will get a little bigger but I wouldnt limit there food supply just so they dont get fatter..they need all the nutrition and moisture from the food.

Hi I have a mali also, named Mercedes, she limits her diet too but is the most healthy lizard ive ever had..she also is very plump. I wouldnt worry of whether or not Gracie has wrinkles, I have three and only one is wrinkly and thats the one i've had problems with (worms, lethargic). However, I dont know about the neck, mercedes does have pretty much large neck rolls but if you could it would be nice to see a picture?
-Megan

also i do cut my uros nails on a regular basis otherwise if you dont have a rock the nail will grow into the toe and cause infection.