About Uromastyx

This information is just some information that is out there. Please, just like with any other animal do your research prior to getting an animal especially a reptile due to MBD (metabolic bone disease). I also suggest getting the enclosure and supplies before getting the reptile.

Uromastyx (aka spiny-tailed lizards or mastigures) are a group of 10-36” / 25-91cm lizards with bulging cheeks, round bellies, round heads and a heavily-spiked tail of variable length and as a defense move they shake their who body ti whip their tail to try and hurt the predator. Color and pattern varies by sex and species, from tan or gray to bright blue, yellow and green.

There are approximately 20 different Uromastyx species and subspecies:

• acanthinura
• aegyptia aegyptia
• aegyptia leptieni
• aegyptia microlepsis
• alfredschmidti
• Noted
• disappear disappear
• disappear flavifasciata
• disappear maliensis
• geyri
• macfadyeni
• nigriventris
• occidentalis
• ocellated
• ornate ornamented
• ornate philbyi
• princeps
• thomasi
• yemenensis

Uromastyx dispar maliensis, U. geyri, and U. ornata ornata these are the most common in the U.S. pet trade. Others are also available, but they are more likely to be wild-caught or harder to find as captive bred. 

These lizards are native to north Africa and the Middle East. They are true heat-lovers, and can be found out basking even during the hottest part of the day. They are true terrestrial lizards, skilled at climbing rock stacks and burrowing.

If you provide high-quality uromastyx care, they can live for over 25 years, and quite possibly up to 60. Some species are more tolerant of humans than others, but once you get their husbandry right, they can make delightful pets. They are fun to watch. Just like with other reptiles if they are cared for properly and held oten they will become more tolerate of being handled. Some may take longer then others so it will require patience.