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 #2074080


EveryGirlEver
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 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Hi! I’m brand new here. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere in the forum.

Stumbled across a mali uro in a fish store(yes a fish store). Was so irritated that they had this poor skinny thing in a tiny tank. Maybe 10 gallon...the itty bitty square ones pet stores keep hatchlings in. It had NO light(only heat source was one of those red nighttime heat lamps), no UV, and there were LARGE crickets running in the cage (uro is only about 8 inches). I don’t know tons of info about uro’s, but I know there wasn’t a single thing right about the set up there. So I freaked on them and said I was coming back in 2 days to "adopt" her and if they tried to stop me I was reporting them.
Over the last few days I’ve set up my old (sanitized of course) 40 gallon long tank. 100 watt bulb at basking keeps hot spot about 110-120 and warms up the warm end of the tank to about 90-95 degrees overall. I put a low watt (60) on the other end and it’s about 80 degrees. The hot spot is on one of those half logs so she can bask on top and hide underneath. The cool end has the same thing. Lastly there’s a repti-sun uva-uvb bulb that runs across length of tank I spent 2 days putting the habitat together and tested and fiddled with the temps. I went back and got her yesterday. When she’s healthier and bigger I’m gonna bump her up to a bigger tank(60 gall long). I figured the priority was to get her into something more suitable and a 40 gallon long should be ok until I can order a bigger tank. I didn’t have much notice:( She’ll be going to the vet next week for a fecal screening to take care of any parasites that she might have.
Here are my questions:
1. How best do I acclimate her? Her care was so substandard that she pants under her basking spot. Should I lower it or will she get used to the higher proper temp?
2. She’s very skinny and a a little lethargic, but still too scared to eat. Is it better to try to get her to start eating or is it better to just leave the poor thing alone to adjust and try in a few days when she’s hopefully calmed down a bit.
Anyway...any help is GREATLY appreciated. The panting thing freaks me out and seems to be directly linked to her basking spot.



09/20/09  11:50am

 #2074095


UroRescuer
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2074080


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Thank you very much for rescuing her! I’ll leave the answers to the experts on Uros, but I want to thank you again for saving this Uro.

Good luck! [:
09/20/09  12:33pm

 #2074106


Obi Carl Kenobi
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   Message To: UroRescuer   In reference to Message Id: 2074095


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

The panting is the uro getting rid of the heat it dosent need through its mouth and is fine. Basking temps should be around 125 so i wouldnt lower temps, if it wants to cool down it will seek shade. What are you feeding? no crickets at all i hope! and a mixed balance of leafy greens including escarole, endive and other suitable greens ( check out the urowiki for detailed info ) well done on your rather forceful way of getting this uro i hope things work out for you.
09/20/09  12:50pm

 #2074108


Boabab95
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   Message To: Obi Carl Kenobi   In reference to Message Id: 2074106


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

here’s a link to a urowiki we’ve been making(uromastyx forum.)same one obi mentionedLink
09/20/09  12:55pm

 #2074109


Sugar Snap Pea
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2074080


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Yup, good luck too! I’m gonna leave it to others to elaborate on the basics.

I rescued mine from a pet store who had just one uro, him... and while their geckos and iguanas were in bigger tanks and looking comfy, he was sitting in a 10 gallon and from what I learned, they fed him way too many crickets. It’s kinda embarassing to call him a rescue since he was in relatively good health when I found him and a month later the vet said he was perfectly healthy. Given a few more months in the pet store, he would have been in bad shape. He’s getting a bigger tank soon too!

I think you’ll make a wonderful uro owner! God bless you!
09/20/09  12:58pm

 #2074117


Filecore
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   Message To: Sugar Snap Pea   In reference to Message Id: 2074109


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Everything you need to know ought to be in the UroWiki, there’s a correct link for it here:

UroWiki (list of all pages) at http://urowiki.filecore.net/

As to your current questions, I’d do the following:

1) don’t worry about acclimitisation - the main thing in that regard is to let the poor creature have peace. It’s had a stressful time, and moving to a new home will be more stressful still. Keep contact/disturbances/handling to an absolute minimum, and leave it alone. It can take up to six months. [ Acclimitisation ]

2) the most important thing is to keep providing it fresh food every day, whether or not it appears to be eating. A bowl of seeds can also be left in the enclosure at all times (no sunflower seeds). Do not provide water, and do not try to bathe the lizard. [ Staples | Rotationals | Occasionals | Seeds | What not to feed ]

3) I’d also get that larger enclosure as soon as possible - uromastyx require higher basking end temperatures than other lizards, which means that their enclosures get hotter more easily, and a small enclosure will overheat since there isn’t room to maintain a thermal gradient. The only rules of enclosure size are that 4x2x2 feet is an absolute minimum, and bigger is always better. [ Enclosure size | Thermal gradient ]

Good luck, post photos, ask questions, and keep us updated!
09/20/09  01:40pm

 #2074392


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Filecore   In reference to Message Id: 2074117


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Thanks everyone! I’ve been perusing the links all day. I just can’t fathom why on earth these people would have a Uro. I ordered a big ole’ tank today...should be here this week. Been testing her temps and they’re great. Humidity is good too. So I’m hopeful she’ll start eating soon. I’m gonna put fresh greens in her cage in the mornings before she’s up so I don’t disturb her. Gonna give her small amounts of greens so I can tell if she’s eating when I’m at work and the house is still. Also, thanks to your advise and links, I ordered a temp gun so I know exactly what’s going on in there. I hate having to move her again. BUT if it’s optimal so be it. Too bad we don’t all have spare 60 gallon tanks floating around:)
09/21/09  01:31am

 #2074397


Filecore
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2074392


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Excellent, that’s good to hear! Be sure to refill her food bowl if she’s leaving it empty when you get back, and if she seems to be eating all (or most) of it, increase the amounts. When it comes right down to it, unless she’s seriously ill, she will eat when she starts getting hungry. Please post some photos of the lizard and the new enclosure as soon as you can, so that we can give any other tips that we can think of - and by the way, it’s great that you replied, as many of the first-time posters here seem to vanish into thin air and never update us. Good luck!
09/21/09  01:45am

 #2074742


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Filecore   In reference to Message Id: 2074397


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

She ate! She definitely went to town on the mustard greens I put in this morning:)

The new enclosure comes on Friday and when that’s set up I’ll post pics and welcome any constructive criticism.
She also pooped and I don’t think I’ve ever been that happy to see poo.
I picked up bird seed today. I’ll pick out the sunflower seeds. Someone told me to soak the bird seed overnight, but I’ve also read that that’s not necessary. I feel like I might actually stand a shot at undoing the damage of the store:) She still looks at me like my secret goal in life is to eat her, but hopefully with time she’ll learn that I prefer pizza.



09/21/09  09:10pm

 #2074846


Filecore
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2074742


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

She’s probably just worried about the ’80s song, "Mexican Radio" by Wall of Voodoo...

# I’d rather be in Tiujana, eating barbequed iguana

Anyway, back to the seeds - no need to soak ’em. Uromastyx have fused jaws providing a row of touch crushing molars (like cows’ teeth) with a serrated edge along the lower half, for crushing seeds and chewing through tough plants, to make all possible use out of the scarce food they find in their natural environments. Raw seeds? No worries! Just check through the list I posted, but yeah, sunflower seeds are the worse offender.
09/22/09  02:11am

 #2074912


Sugar Snap Pea
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2074742


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Yup, it’s not necessary to soak beans or seeds, but the advice you got before, to soak... was echoed by my vet who wanted me to play it safe before we brought the uro in. Mine was underweight, somewhat on the skinny side, and although there weren’t signs of mouth rot or calcium deficiency, the vet was concerned there could be other unseen things going on. So soaking beans or seeds for just a few hours would help keep the uro from getting thirsty, since they get their water from the food they eat. The other thing the vet emphasized was rinsing the fresh greens under the tap before serving, so there was a little more water (like dew drops) and the food wouldn’t wilt or get too dry fast under the heat of the tank. So soaking the beans and seeds lets them dry out naturally in the tank... and by the end of the day, they are definitely crunchy again. I usually soak mine for 4-6 hours before serving, in just a tablespoon or two of water. So my uro gets to eat them moist and dry too.
09/22/09  09:57am

 #2075144


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Sugar Snap Pea   In reference to Message Id: 2074912


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

I got a really reliable digital thermometer and humidity gauge. It’s the kind people put in cigar humidors. The ambient temp on the warm side is a bit warm. The basking lamp puts her hot spot at 122. but it’s raising the ambient heat on the hot side a little too much (about 1o8). The good news is it’s wiping out the humidity and the humidity on the 108 side is currently at 8 percent, according to readout. The cool side is 85 degrees and 30 percent humidity. Not bad, but I see why everyone here is adamant about bigger tanks. I can’t wait for the new enclosure to get here. I think the added depth will help displace some of that basking spot heat and drop the ambient temp down a bit without changing the basking spot temp. Does anyone know of a lamp regulator I could get? Something to control temp when I’m gone. I’m in L.A. and it was 106 today. It warms up the apartment and her perfect temps increase by about 8-10 degrees each. It would be so great to have an electronic controller that kicks on and off depending on the temp so temps can stay steady.
I’m so grateful for all the advice. I made sure I put her greens in the tank pretty damp from being rinsed and noticed less heat shrinkage in them. She ate some of the birdseed and I think I’ll start soaking her seed until I see she’s recovering really well. She also appears to have begun a shed. Her head and legs are shedding. It looks good. Much like the beardie’s...clean and in large pieces. It’s funny because I keep referring to her as a "she" but it’s because her coloring is dull. "She" may get healthy and surprise me:)
09/22/09  09:54pm

 #2075147


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2075144


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Sorry I know I just posted, but i literally just peeked over to see what she’s doing and she’s eating! It’s the first time she’s done it while I was home. Sweet.
09/22/09  10:01pm

 #2075236


Filecore
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2075147


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

The word you’re looking for is "thermostat" - it controls a device based on the input from a thermal sensor. There are many different types available, you want one that does dimming (voltage reduction) functions, rather than a simple on/off. You can try checking on eBay, as there are plenty there - I don’t know about local shops, as I’m not a ’merkin.
09/23/09  02:35am

 #2076603


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Filecore   In reference to Message Id: 2075236


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Thanks Filecore. She seems to have taken a turn for the worse. Hasn’t eaten in 2 days and now hides nearly constantly. I noticed today that she’s got a bad hand. She’s can’t seem to move it and it just curls under her arm. It’s making it hard for her to be mobile. It seemed totally fine when I brought her home so I can’t figure out how she may have broken her hand. It’s a total mystery. Nothing’s fallen on her and she hasn’t dug under anything. Could this be some side effect of something else? It’s really bad and very sad to watch. She can’t put any weight on it and she’s literally just dragging herself around by her good arm. I’m feeling decidedly less confident:(
09/25/09  09:23pm

 #2076830


Sugar Snap Pea
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2076603


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Just tell the vet as much as you know about the bad hand... he/she should be able to figure it out. How did the moving to the new enclosure turn out?
09/26/09  01:46pm

 #2079513


Mr. Mali
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2076603


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Just an FYI too Mali’s can get Gout from eating too many cricket/worms etc. Gout affects the limbs and interanlly too it looks like a white swelling inside the joints. That’s why most people will recommend not to feed any insects although some poeple say feed very occasionally. Hope he’s doing better
10/02/09  04:56pm

 #2088285


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Mr. Mali   In reference to Message Id: 2079513


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

I want to give a big thanks to everyone that helped me out. It was a crazy month. My uro got really, really, really sick. Lost the use of an arm and became visibly disabled with Metabolic Bone Disease. We took her to the vet when she got sick and she received calcium and b12 shots. I amped up her UV with multiple lights and followed the vets orders of liquid calcium everyday. It was really hit or miss for a few weeks and I had to resort to enticing her with a liquid calcium covered mealworm because she just wasn’t eating greens and seeds...at all. She finally absorbed enough calcium and in the last few days has made a remarkable recovery. she’s basking instead of hiding, she’s regained full use of her crippled arm, she’s readily eating greens and seeds (so no more mealworms), and she appears to be plumping up a bit.
I’m really excited. The vet said that her prognosis was "guarded", but she seems to be getting healthier. I’m thrilled. It would be so wonderful if she got to live a really comfortable life after being in that wretched pet store.



10/24/09  05:29pm

 #2088288


Sugar Snap Pea
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2088285


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

You’re definitely on the right track, thanks too for letting us know what was happening! If you need help again, don’t be afraid to ask! *hugz*



10/24/09  06:05pm

 #2088291


Mr. Mali
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2088285


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

I’m glad she’s doing better!
10/24/09  06:20pm

 #2091748


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Mr. Mali   In reference to Message Id: 2088291


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Trying to figure out how to post a pic. I’m so computer illiterate:( As soon as I figure it out I’ll post one. She’s looking good, but still really skinny. I’d describe her as a bit "crinkly", but she’s starting to eat really well and I’m offering up a lot of variety. She ate blackberries today. I’m gonna get some beans and legumes for her this weekend to try and fatten her up. Do I need to soak lentils or can I just grind them up and she’ll eat them like bird seed?
The vet, a month ago, advised against too many obstacles, so her tank’s been pretty barren besides a few hidey holes. I added some layers today for her to run around and take advantage. I think she might be healthy and alert enough to check them out:)
11/03/09  11:38pm

 #2105731


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Mr. Mali   In reference to Message Id: 2079513


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

OKAY! So it’s been awhile now and the uro is doing fantastically. She’s in her big cage, eating greens, hangin’ out, and basically seems to be remarkably healthy. I can’t thank our awesome vet enough! I think the calcium and b-12 shots made all the difference in the world as far as getting her metabolic bone disease in check. She went from having a dead arm due to the MBD and dragging herself around to being perfect! We’re sooo lucky! Here’s a pic of her. Sorry the quality sucks...it’s my Blackberry.
12/16/09  09:55pm

 #2105789


Rose of Jericho
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2105731


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

That’s wonderful, and great to hear! These creatures are amazingly tough, all things considered, but still I’m glad that this one has pulled through. Keep up the good work!
12/17/09  02:00am

 #2105805


Obi Carl Kenobi
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   Message To: Rose of Jericho   In reference to Message Id: 2105789


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Good job
12/17/09  06:15am

 #2110129


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Obi Carl Kenobi   In reference to Message Id: 2105805


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Before and after.
What she looked like when I first brought her home and she was sick, had a bad arm, and was so skinny she looked krinkly.




After in all her chunky glory posing in a way that makes my boyfriend and me think she’s saying "Everything in here is MINE" :)
01/02/10  05:27pm

 #2110131


Jbreddawg
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2110129


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Shes looking good !
01/02/10  05:31pm

 #2110278


Rose of Jericho
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   Message To: Jbreddawg   In reference to Message Id: 2110131


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Great photo, I’d never have guessed it was the same creature. Excellent work and keep us up-to-date on her progress as time goes by!
01/03/10  05:29am

 #2117319


EveryGirlEver
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   Message To: Rose of Jericho   In reference to Message Id: 2110278


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Thanks so much! She’s doing REALLY well and has recently stopped hiding when we approach. We don’t handle her outside of cleanings and the occasional bath. We have a Beardie for playing, but we are so happy that she’s stopped shying away when she sees us. It used to be that we couldn’t even look towards the tank or she’d hide. Now I can get in her tank with a temp gun and double check her basking spot and she just cocks her head at me. I love it!...even though it means I have to temp test AROUND her.
01/25/10  09:25pm

 #2117373


Rose of Jericho
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   Message To: EveryGirlEver   In reference to Message Id: 2117319


 Just rescued Mali and have a few questions

Glad to hear she’s responding so well! As for the temp gun problem, I can’t put my hand in to test the temperatures these days without mine climbing (or occasionally, if she’s a little bit further away, leaping) onto my hand and crawling up my arm...
01/26/10  02:23am


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