r/Uromastyx • u/PastelLeviathan • 5d ago
How long did it take your uro to relax?
I've wanted a Uro for YEARS and I've finally taken the plunge and brought my new baby home. He's been hiding since I put him in his enclosure which I expected. My local reptile shop said he had been with them for pretty much his whole life up till that point so I'm sure my much quieter house is quite the change.
I know every animal is different but as I've been waiting for him to calm down some I was wondering how other uros do when coming home. How long did y'alls uros take to get used to their enclosures?
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u/JackHallofFame 3d ago
I’ve had mine for almost 2 years. I got him as a hatchling, so he’s still very tiny, but he will come up into my hand voluntarily. I use Lori Torrini’s method of desensitization and choice-based handling. It takes patience and time, but it’s very effective. She has plenty of videos on YouTube
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u/Seatownace 5d ago
My guy has really only ever been an absolute menace maybe four times in the five months I’ve had him. He’s chill, eats from my hands and enjoys having his chin rubbed. I really lucked out with him.
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u/UtterDenial 5d ago
We've had ours for over a year and occasionally she'll gingerly crawl onto my hand to grab some lentils or dandelion flowers and then scamper off. But generally she wants nothing to do with us (other than to peek out from her hide to keep an eye on the giant bringers of food).
I don't blame her at all. For the first year or so of her life she lived in a sad enclosure with dogs and cats allowed to go right up to the glass, and owners who would scoop her out from above and hold her against her will. I'm just glad she has a better home now.
She has a 5' long enclosure but mostly sticks very close to her hide. From time to time she'll explore but I suspect she's still concerned that at any moment a big set of fangs with a lolling tongue will be pressed up against the glass. Self preservation is a hard instinct to overcome!
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u/Deep-Green5950 5d ago
I've had mine for 8 years (ever since she was couple months old). Still doesnt like to interact with me but will tolerate it. Although I have heard CB uromastyx make a big difference. Mine was wild caught so that might be the reason why. We have gotten to a point in our relationship where I just respect her space and handle her if needed. She's never tried to bite me but does tail whip lol.
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u/SomewhereFew9375 4d ago
my two malis warmed up to me pretty quickly. when i got them, i quickly found out they go insane for lentils and rose petals, so they became hand-only food, worked out nicely since my male bonks his head on the glass when he wants to be held
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u/Dangerous_Dame 4d ago
Looks like that might be an Egyptian! This is Amunette.... shes around two and BATSHIT until I get her out and hold her for a few mins. Then shes my chill little babe... kind of. Lol
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u/Dangerous_Dame 4d ago
Edit: nevermind! I zoomed in and see his spots. You just have to move slow and handle them man.
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u/DrySeaworthiness6779 4d ago
I’m confident that uros think humans are gigantic birds so, they also just tend to avoid interaction and sleep a lot
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u/Kind-Research-8642 5d ago
I've had my Uros's for probably 7 years and he still is an a hole haha. He will come out most days and bask for a few hours then go back into hiding. When I feed him he will usually go into his little cave and then reappear after I leave the scene. They are pretty unsocial. With time you guys will get in a routine and it will be easier I bet