Acclimitisation

From UroWiki

Acclimatisation (or acclimation) 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.

Reactions to acclimitisation

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

• Increased stress levels
• A heightened fight-or-flight response
• Sleeping for long periods of time
• Reduced appetite
• Hiding in caves or shelters when not sleeping
• Running and hiding when a person enters the room

Recommended solution

This one is simple: leave your uromastyx in peace. The best way to let it acclimitise is naturally, by letting it get used to its new environment at its own pace. You should not enter the enclosure space except for medical checks (for example, checking weight), to replace fresh food, and to clean any faeces. Fresh food should be provided daily regardless of whether or not the lizard appears to be eating it.