Acclimatisation

From UroWiki

Acclimatisation (or acclimation, see below) is the period of physiological adjustment a lizard goes through when moved into to a new environment. This process can commonly take anywhere from two weeks to six months, depending on the individual.

A linguistic note

Acclimitisation is defined as adaptation to a new climate (a new temperature or altitude or environment). It is often used interchangeably with acclimation, which was originally used in Britain, but, like many other things, it faded out of use while staying in vocabulary in the USA. The OED records acclimate as slightly older (1792 vs. 1836), but since the prevailing language of the UroWiki is British English, we tend to prefer this form.

Reactions seen with acclimatisation

Although reactions very between individuals, the following can generally be expected during this period:

• Increased stress levels (may increase affects of various existing infections -parasitic, bacterial, fungal, etc- by suppressing the immune system, which also may give opportunistic organisms the chance to invade and cause disease).
• Heightened fight-or-flight response (secondary affect of stress as well) IE- Running and hiding when a person enters the room.
• Sleeping for long periods of time.
• Reduced appetite (secondary to stress/asymptomatic concurrent disease.)
• Hiding in caves or shelters when not sleeping (secondary affect of heightened flight-or-fight.)

Recommended solutions

Just leave your Uromastyx in peace. The best way to let it acclimatise is naturally, by letting it get used to its new environment at its own pace. This is important for your husbandry to be correct: temperatures, lighting (proper cycle and UVB), fresh food, hides, etc as they all play a role in how long a Uromastyx adjusts. If poor husbandry is used the Uromastyx will acclimatise poorly becoming diseased, or succumb to disease and/or die. Certain species adapt more easily to a captive setting. You should limit handling and not enter the enclosure unless to maintain cage environment: replace food (+/- water), clean feces, check temperatures etc. Weight/health checks should be done regularly, not in excess. Fresh food should be provided daily regardless of whether or not the lizard appears to be eating it.

This would be an ideal time to cover all sides of the enclosure with newsprint, cage background, butcher paper, cardboard, etc. This helps limit stress and may make the Uromastyx acclimate and eat sooner. Several low, dark hides in various heat zones are also very important during and after acclimatisation. You can try and befriend your Uromastyx by hand feeding pesticide-free edible flowers, although many will take a while to eat them from your hand (Caution:They may bite. Hard). Many Uromastyx have parasitic infections, especially if wild-caught, and may show no signs (asymptomatic). A fresh fecal sample should be provided to be examined by qualified veterinary staff, to check for internal parasites via floatation, direct smear, or other tests they deem appropriate. If treatment is needed, it is best that a non-particulate substrate is used. This will make maintaining sanitation easier, reduce risk of (re)ingestion of eggs or occysts from the stools that contaminate the cage environment, and aids in monitoring therapeutic progress.

Many captive Uromastyx don't get over such impulses which, in the wild, would save their life from predators. Therefore, it is common to have kept an individual for several years and still have it run and hide when you enter the room, stand up from a sitting position or make sudden movements.