Glass dancing

From UroWiki

Glass dancing is the term used to describe a process known as ITB ("Interaction with Transparent Boundaries"), the process whereby a lizard will stand on its back legs against the glass wall of its terrarium and scratch against the glass with its front paws, often sliding or 'swaying' from side to side in the process. Although quite common and generally harmless, this can sometimes be an indicator of high stress levels and a desire to escape, as the lizard cannot understand why it cannot move through the glass.

Reasons for glass dancing

Assuming your enclosure size is adequate, there is no real explanation for this behaviour. Common speculations include the following:

• the temperature may be wrong (for example, too hot with no thermal gradient)
• the uromastyx wants more or other food and is hungry
• if the uromastyx is young, it may be hormonal
• it may be their reaction to their own reflection
• some think the uromastyx wants to come out and socialise, although this is not recommended as the uromastyx needs a certain temperature range: these are observation pets, not cuddling pets.
• could be too small of an enclosure and/or not enough hides things to keep it busy.

If your uromastyx starts glass dancing for no apparent reason, check to see if you have changed anything in the room within the lizard's field of view that could cause stress or concern on the part of the lizard. Otherwise, provided that your lizard is not harming itself in any way (such as by rubbing skin off its nose), there is no real reason for concern. Excessive glass dancing may cause postural or spinal problems over time.