Uromastyx
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The Uromastyxes are a genus of lizard known as the Spiny-tailed lizards. Members of the genus can be found for sale as pets in pet stores in the United States. All Uromastyx species are vegetarian eating a wide variety of greens. They spend most of their lives hiding and living underground or in rocky areas with good shelter.
Uromastyx lizards are also called dabb lizards and "uros." The size of these lizards ranges from 14 inches (U. hardwicki) to 36 inches or more (U. aegyptius). Hatchlings or neonates are small usually no more than 3-4 inches in length. The lizards' color changes according to the temperature. During cool weather, they appear dull and dark, but the colors become lighter in warm weather. They inhabit a discontinuous range stretching through most of North Africa, the Middle East and across south-central Asia and into India. This area spreads across 5000 miles and 30 countries. These fascinating lizards occur at elevations from sea level to well over 3000 feet. Uromastyx tend to bask in areas with surface temperatures of over 120 degrees.
A gravid female Uromastyx can typically lay anywhere from 5-40 eggs depending on age and species. Eggs ideally hatch 2-3 months after laid.
Mali_uromastyx.jpg
Uromastyx do not survive particularly well in captivity. This is due to the fact that most species until very recently have been wild-caught. Captive breeders are improving in both the health and husbandry of these animals but much more must be done. The Maliensis Uromastyx seems to be one of the best species to choose as a pet as they are adapt much better to a captive environment than most other Uromastyx. They are also very difficult and expensive pets to care for. Artificial UVB/UVA light and vitamin supplements must be balanced with proper food and nutrition. Proper enclosures are also costly as they are roaming animals with large spacial needs. Needless to say Uromastyx do not make great pets and are best left to thrive in the wild.
To be kept in captivity, the uromastyx lizards must be provided with a sandy substrate deep enough for burrowing. In the wild, these lizards’ burrows can reach 10 feet in length. These lizards usually acquire all of the water they need from the vegetation they eat. In captivity, they may drink out of a flat dish, but the humidity of the enclosure must be kept low to prevent respiratory problems. Captive uros’ diets are predominantly herbivorous, consisting of kale, greens, vegetables, and suitable blossoms. Uros usually favor dandelion, hibiscus, and nasturtium leaves and blossoms. Fresh beans, wild bird seed, peas, and pelleted alfalfa can be added to their diet too. Some believe feeding insect foods, such as crickets and mealworms, should be avoided because of potential health problems, but many other breeders and hobbyists maintain that insects can be a small part of the animal's diet (roughly 10% of all foods eaten) without any danger to the lizard.
Classification of genus Uromastyx
- Uromastyx acanthinura
- Uromastyx aegyptia
- Uromastyx alfredschmidti
- Uromastyx asmussi
- Uromastyx benti
- Uromastyx dispar
- Uromastyx geyri
- Uromastyx hardwickii
- Uromastyx leptieni
- Uromastyx loricata
- Uromastyx macfadyeni
- Uromastyx maliensis
- Uromastyx occidentalis
- Uromastyx ocellata
- Uromastyx ornata
- Uromastyx princeps
- Uromastyx thomasials:Dornschwanz-Agamen