Reptile & Amphibian Forums

El toro offered some good advice re. my newly acquired mali uros, and, regrettably, was absolutely right on the possibility of fighting.
I've been watching them closely since their arrival a few weeks ago but wasn't terribly concerned because I was told that this "pair" (sex unknown) has been housed together for at least 3 yrs., and I'd provided excellent cover and hiding spots throught the habitat.
I was stunned then, to discover there had been a battle in the 2 hour time frame since I had last checked on them. Luckily there was no damage at all to one, and on the other, only the tail was affected. But THAT was a mess! Bite size chunks missing, torn skin and a surprising amount of blood.
I separated them immediately and the victim seems fine.. bright and alert, eating, active etc., but I wonder if I need to worry about infection. I soaked the tail in warm water to remove the dried blood and have a better look at the damage, then patted it dry with a warm towel. Is there anything further I should do?
Also, I'm REALLY curious why these two would fight now when they've got more space, a better diet, and proper heat/lighting... none of which was available to them before. It's also puzzling to me that the victim was the largest, most robust of the two.
Can anyone offer any advice on why this would happen, and is there any reason to hope they can live together again or would it be too risky to even attempt it?

When their environment is disrupted & altered you set into motion a whole new "pecking order." They have to go thru what reptiles are simply not good at & that is reprocessing themselves into a whole new environment. You may think you've suddenly provided a better place for them, & maybe you have, but those little reptilian minds don't know that. When you disarrange their kitchen & bedroom furniture, so to speak, you also disarrange their mental processes. In their natural environs they can go a life time w/o much in the way of ambient changes. Compare that to a life of enclosure stresses. Just my 2 cents...
Dan

I know it's probably too late to be helpful now, but for the future:
If there are open wounds, you should clear any particulate substrate from the enclosure until they heal over - you don't want sand or seed getting in the wound. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin or use a chlorhexidine spray or ointment (Nolvasan, etc). If the injury is bad, if it gets worse rather than better, or if the lizard's behavior changes for the worse, I would recommend a vet visit.

You won't be able to put these two together again. They will fight.
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Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.2 Saharan Uros (Joe, Arthur, and Hitch)
3.0 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, and Tank)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
1.2 Collared Lizards (Ripcord, Thiamine, and Riboflavin)
1.0 Green Anoles (Sprocket)
1.1 Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)