Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know they are not as happy to be handled as beardies, but how handle-able are uros? Can they be handled a couple of times a week without causing unnecessary stress, or is it best they be left alone. This is, of course, assuming they are hand tame. Thanks.

Currently I have a pair of Mali uros. The female detests handling in any way, and the younger male will tolerate it fairly well once in hand. I think some species like the occelated and egyptian tolerate it more than say geyri or other more skittish species. Still, patience and gentle handling a few times a week would probably work on all. However, I am not sure you would get a shoulder rider lizard like a beardie LOL!! I think all keepers should handle their animals at least once a week to examine their condition. It gives you an opportunity to examine the animal for any signs of illness or injuries. You dont want to inspect your animal after a few weeks or more without handling and realize there is something not right going on IMO.

I keep all handling to inside the enclosure unless necessary to do a full clean on the enclosure or to get weight/length of particular Uro's. They can't be away from their heat source for too long without getting stressed or their metabolism slowing down during times when they should be kept warm. I also try to get all my weights/lengths towards the end of the day when they are slowing down for the night, but before they go into their hides

I've had Uros for 8 years and had a beardie for two years before that. However, while I respect the Uro purists, I'm a little more in the mentality that I do due diligence in providing a good home for them but that they are, at the end of the day, pets. I kept a pair of female Uros for 7 years (mali's) and never weighed them, didn't create elaborate hides or set ups, monitor every little temperature and thing in their lives...and I was very active in handling them, spending time with them and showing them affection and they were healthy, socially acclimated lizards. I didn't keep them from heat for long periods of time but they're not going to freeze if they're not under a lamp for awhile as long as you keep them above a reasonable 'low' temp. There's definitely a personality to these that come into play...I had one that would rather be handled lightly but tolerated more and I had another that would roll onto her back for a tummy rub the minute you walked to the enclosure. They both got very used to handling by both me and the children, I took them to friends houses, I put them on leashes for short times out in the sun (I know i've heard people here greatly disagree with most of this) but they never were sick or frazzled or showed signs of stress. So, I would say, if you ask my unorthodox opinion, that you would benefit from getting to know their personalities and what they're comfortable with, once they're settled and see that you're the caretaker handle them regularly and just take it SLOW...they are very sweet creatures and can make great 'pets' in my opinion but they are not lap lizards from my experience. I think they are more tolerant than many might paint them to be though.

Have fun and best of luck!
Molly

Oh and one other thing....all 4 of my uros (the new babies included) love to have their cheeks, jawline and base of the back of their heads rubbed gently. I don't know if that's true with all of them, but for all of mine, they just close their little eyes and snuggle in for a rub..it's too cute=) I really think it creates a bond with them..they learn to trust me and they enjoy it.

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate the different experiences and opinions. I do agree that if the animal doesn't appear stressed by the experience, removing it from it's enclosure is not the end of the world. I'd expect that a uro would be no worse for the short temp difference than any snake removed from their temps. After all it's still about 80 on the cool side, and the uro doesn't stay in 120 deg all the time. Besides, there can be interaction without removing it.

I'm glad to see that at least some uros are not overly stressed by contact. I like these lizards, but didn't want to get a piece of "furniture". I don't have to handle it, and know there is a chance whatever I get might not like it, but I surely don't want to get something that has no chance of being handled. I certainly don't expect it to be a beardie, but with kids in the house, and my travel schedule, crickets (or any insect feeders) are a non-starter. It has to be a herbivore. I can trust it getting fed without any mishaps if it's just vegetables, beans etc.

This is the type of info I was looking for. Thanks again.

Jeff