Mali Uromastyx question

Question
Hello again,

You were so helpful with my last set of questions, so I've come to you with some more! :)

Our Mali Uro is about 6 or 7 months old, good health - eating, defecating, climbing and basking. However, for the past few days, his behavior has changed a bit.  He still eats, but he is sleeping for much longer periods, even once his tank has heated up in the mornings (he used to come out when it got to around 104) and we're replacing his food and water.  He is much less... social, for lack of a better word.  When we take him out to hold him, he usually tries to escape our hold a couple times, and then settles down and seems to like being held and stroked.  Again, for the past several days, he doesn't calm down when we hold him, but continually struggles to be let go.  Also, when my boyfriend (and co-owner) tried to pick him up from the tank yesterday, Sinbad (the Uro) whipped his tail at him - something he's never done.  So we were a little worried with the changes in behavior with sleeping a lot more and being less friendly, and we were hoping you might have some answers.

Thanks again,

Angela

Answer
Hello Angela,

Well, at that age, he is hitting sexual maturity where his hormone levels are changing & he gets more rambunctious.  It is a phase & he will get through it but they get like that from time to time.  Even though he is too young to breed, it doesn't stop him from getting more aggressive due to hormones.
What are the basking temps at right now?  
Maybe try getting a nice treat for him so when you do get him out, he will associate you with food, as well as handling.  

Good luck.  Let me know how that goes.

Tracie