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 #129409


Beachingrl47
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 New 3" baby mali

My baby mali that is being sent to me right now they said is only 3 inches. I was wondering, how do u feed a baby that little, doyou have to do anything specific like use an eye dropper or.. ??? I appreciate any knowledge of hwo to hanle babies of this size that you could give me.. Thanks so much



08/26/04  5:32pm
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 #129413


LIZARDLOVERLADY
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129409


 New 3" baby mali

That isn’t too small for a baby, just tear the greens you offer a little smaller than normal, but they will still eat red leaf, green leaf, romaine, parsley hibiscus flowers, rose petals, etc, etc. Handling is not difficult but remember because the baby is so small they are a lot faster, watch for head dives out of your hands! don’t need eyedroppers or anything. you can also offer small crickets as a supplement. remember to offer UVB light 8% and to keep their enclosure close to 120 in one area. also use calcium supplements on the lettuce daily it is a critcal time in this baby’s life!

These are my new babys...




I also own two others....






08/26/04  5:40pm
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 #129426


Beachingrl47
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  Message To: LIZARDLOVERLADY   In reference to Message Id: 129413


 New 3" baby mali

That all sounds great, thank you tons. Now, about these head dives, if i am holding her and she jumps out of my hand, could she hurt herself badly??



08/26/04  5:55pm
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 #129504


LIZARDLOVERLADY
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129426


 New 3" baby mali

Yes, she CaN hurt herself, I suggest playing with her on the floor at first



08/26/04  7:39pm
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 #129533


Beachingrl47
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  Message To: LIZARDLOVERLADY   In reference to Message Id: 129504


 New 3" baby mali

Ok I will be sure to take precautious to make sure she doesnt hurt her fragile little self. Im soo soo soo excited. What kinda of substrate should i put on top of the stone tile, i heard newspaper is good, and not to use millet/birdseed, any thoughts?



08/26/04  8:08pm
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 #129535


Sunigirl
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  Message To: LIZARDLOVERLADY   In reference to Message Id: 129504


 New 3" baby mali

I’m curious, do you think babies are easier to tame/handle than yearlings? It’s still quite early in the process, but after 2+ weeks, I’m still not even trying to hold mine. They are doing the right things (basking, roaming, eating, etc.), but run for cover when I move the top of their enclosure to feed them.

Which begs another question, how high does the tank have to be before you can be sure they can’t climb out (glass walls). They are 8 inches, 80 g.



08/26/04  8:11pm
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 #129545


Pogos grandma
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129426


 New 3" baby mali

I will stick with curly endive and escarole lettuce. They’re higher in nutritional value than red, green or romaine lettuce. Uros are herbivore and they don’t do well with high protein diet such as crickets and worms. Sticks with the greens, use rose petals, dandelion flower and hibiscus flower for treats. I know you’ll be tempted to play with your new uros but give them time to acclimate before you handle them. When it’s time to play with them, on the floor is a very good idea just make sure they can’t go into places where you can’t retrieve them when they run off. We had a member on this forum that lost his uro behind the drywalls under the sink. I sure hope he got his uro out. Good luck.



08/26/04  8:35pm
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 #129563


Uro_fan
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129409


 New 3

I personally disagree with most of the recommendations that LLL (Lizardladylover) made in her post.

My recommendation would be to stick with fresh greens that contain a healthier balance of vitamins and minerals and better Ca:P ratios such as escarole, curly endive and dandelion greens. Always look for at least a 2:1 ratio in all of your staples.

I would definitely suggest staying away from insects especially at this young age.
A four years field study on ornate uromastxy showed that neither adults nor young intentionally consumed insects in the wild. This study concluded that these animals are totally herbivores. The feeling by quite a few professionals in the field is that most species of uromastyx are true herbivores while a few could be considered omnivores.
While an omnivore may be able to consume lower levels of animal protein, a herbivore cannot without suffering eventual organ failure. Why take the chance?
There are other concerns with feeding crickets to young uromastyx such as lodging and the inability to breakdown the keratinous outer body.

D3 can be toxic if overdone and young animals are especially susceptible due to their size. An excess amount of D3 in the system can produce results and symptoms similar to MBD. If you do decide to supplement, I would recommend using it very sparingly several times per week. As long as you can provide a close source of uvb 12-14 hours per day, the uromastyx will be able to utilize the calcium in the healthy greens above that I mentioned. In addition to a good UVB source, I take my hatchlings outside for natural sunlight 2-3 times per week.

I would recommend that the basking temp go as high as 120F but the ambient temperature should not exceed 100.

I suggest strongly that you not readily take the first opinion you hear when it comes to your uromastyx. If that opinion should be wrong, your animal will suffer. Do research, purchase books and talk to breeders and people who have raised uromastyx for years not the people who import just to sell. Also use common sense as there are a lot of people keeping uromastyx that are not qualified to own a pet rock. Just because someone has owned an animal for a year or two, does not mean that it is healthy or that their husbandry practices are sound. Research, dig, and then research more.




08/26/04  9:04pm
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 #129632


Pogos grandma
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129533


 New 3" baby mali

forgot to mention the "substrate". When they’re that little, use shredded paper towels or newspapers. Birdseeds are not recommended for babies, that comes later when they’re at least 6" long. I agree with Uro_fan wholeheartedly, you can’t run with the first advice or opinion you hear on any forum. Good luck with your new baby when it gets there.



08/26/04  10:16pm
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 #129690


Beachingrl47
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  Message To: Pogos   In reference to Message Id: 129632


 New 3" baby mali

Thank you all for your help. I think I’ve got everything covered now, everythings checked off on my check list, the cage is all ready for her, and im eagerly awaiting her arival!!! If theres any more tips you can give me any and everything you have said has been more than helpful!



08/26/04  11:00pm
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 #129715


Frocto
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  Message To: Beachingrl47   In reference to Message Id: 129690


 New 3" baby mali

My advice? Listen to Uro_fan.
The only thing I can add to all of this is my experience as an inexperinced baby Uro owner. I drove myself nuts worrying about temps and proper substrates only to find out I didn’t have a secure enough lid. I will post on this later to fully explain, just been busy now that I am back in school. Basically I didn’t make my setup 3 yearold proof and my 3 year old loves to mimic daddy. So when I was at work and my wife was doing laundry he was trying to help me by checking the babies temps, when he removed the lid he bumped the lighting setup that i had on top of the lid off and something fell on the Baby.
While I don’t know if you have children or any around your house, make sure your lid or any door is securely fastened. It will save you from alot of heartaches and whatifs.



08/26/04  11:28pm
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 #129731


Beachingrl47
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  Message To: Frocto   In reference to Message Id: 129715


 New 3" baby mali

Wow... im soo soo sorry to hear that... my heart goes out to you... i dont have any children at all in the house or anything that would disturb the baby, and now i will def make sure that everything is secured.. once again, im really sorry, thanks for you very valuable advice, i really appreciate it



08/26/04  11:50pm
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 #129732


Beachingrl47
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  Message To: Frocto   In reference to Message Id: 129715


 New 3" baby mali

Wow... im soo soo sorry to hear that... my heart goes out to you... i dont have any children at all in the house or anything that would disturb the baby, and now i will def make sure that everything is secured.. once again, im really sorry, thanks for you very valuable advice, i really appreciate it



08/26/04  11:50pm
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 #205341


WDLOVER
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  Message To: Pogos   In reference to Message Id: 129545


 New 3" baby mali

so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



12/24/04  7:47pm
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