Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I have a ~1.5 year old Mali Uromastyx. Lately, he's been sleeping in and not waking up unless I wake him up. I have not changed the temperature or moved anything around in his cage.

I believe that he should not be brumating unless I change the temperature conditions in his cage. Is he also sensitive to the weather outside, not only in his cage?

Thanks,
Famous Amos

Indeed--it's normal. Even when cage temps and lighting haven't changed, Uromastyx, like many other reptiles still know it's winter because they can sense changes in atmospheric pressure.

Thanks for the quick reply,

Do you think it's okay for me to wake him up?

When I wake him up, he stays awake for usually the rest of the day until ~5 in the afternoon or 6.

Therefore, it should be okay for me to wake him up and feed him because he still digests his food and potties every so often?

Thanks again,

Famous Amos

DO NOT wake your Uro. Double check your temps just to be sure. They do brumate and may not come out and be very active for most of the day. Currently my mali's are out for maybe an hour each day. Sometimes they don't even leave the spot they are in all day. They will come out, find a spot in the warm area near the basking bulb, and lay there all day and not move.

You should also get (if you dont have already) a good gram scale to track his/her weight. You want to make sure there is no parasite or worm infestation during this time causing loss of weight. If the Uro starts losing weight and you have not changed temps/light time then you may want to schedule a vet visit.

Hello,
My Uro actually does wake up by himself at least 4-5 times/week normally. Whenever he does get up or I wake him up, he remains awake for the rest of the day. His body weight is normal and there has been no change in his cage temperature; therefore, I believe that he is not brumating...

Thanks
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Lizards 'R 'Us

1.0 Mali Uromastyx

still, you are causing added stress to the animal by waking it in a place where it should feel safe and secure. They will reduce activity on their own, they seem to be able to sense the changes in the weather