Uromastyx lizards are not commonly kept as pet reptiles but are cherished by those who do take the time to care for these unique lizards. Uromastyx lizards are desert dwelling lizards from Africa and the Middle East. They are primarily herbivorous, although some species will also pursue live insect prey. It is important to always learn about the life history and needs of any pet reptile to ensure they have what they need. Here, we will provide some basic information on Uromastyx lizards to get you started.
By doing your homework ahead of time, you will ensure that you will have the best habitat and nutrition for your Uromastyx lizard prepared before their arrival at your home.
Quick facts
- Uromastyx lizards are native to Africa and the Middle East.
- Uromastyx lizards are ectotherms and depend on environmental temperatures to regulate their core body temperature.
- There are 15 different species of Uromastyx lizards.
- You can determine the sex of an adult Uromastyx lizards by looking at the underside of their thigh. Males have large femoral pores, while females have very small pores. Males are also typically larger and have hemipenal bulges in the base of their tail. Finally, for some species, such as Uromastyx ornatus, the males have brighter coloration.
- Uromastyx lizards are primarily herbivorous and should be fed a variety of leafy greens, lentils, vegetables.
- With appropriate care, Uromastyx lizards can live for 15-20 years.
Enclosure
For Uromastyx lizards, it is important to provide the largest enclosure possible. There are a number of different types of enclosures available for these lizards, including glass tanks, reptile specific enclosures, and purpose built/home-made enclosures. The larger the enclosure, the more exercise the Uromastyx lizards can get, which is important to maintain an ideal weight to reduce the likelihood of problems associated with obesity. It is preferred that the enclosure is at least 3-5 times the length of the Uromastyx lizard body length. When selecting an enclosure for a Uromastyx lizard, the horizontal size (length and width) is most important because these lizards are terrestrial to fossorial (burrowing).
The type of material used for the enclosure is an important consideration for disinfection. This is generally not a major concern for glass tanks or commercially made reptile enclosures but can be an issue for home-made enclosures made of wood. Because wood is difficult to disinfect, it is not recommended as building material for an enclosure.
Substrate
There are a number of different substrates that can be used for Uromastyx lizards, including astroturf/green carpet, large rock substrate, and play sand (not silica based). The astroturf/green carpet substrate can be used after first acquiring a Uromastyx lizard to monitor its feces, or to use in separate smaller enclosures as a feeding station. The large-stacked slate rock is good because it mimics substrate they might use in the wild; however, it is challenging to clean. The play sand is preferred because it also mimics more native loose soils. It can be spot cleaned as necessary.
Accessories
Uromastyx lizards should be provided ample space for exercising and burrowing. One example of a burrow is to cut a hole in the lid of a plastic sweater box that is large enough for the lizard to enter/exit and to place it under the substrate. The skink can retreat to the burrow to mimic its natural behavior. Play sand can be placed in the box as a substrate.
Weighted food and water bowls should be provided. The weighted bowls will reduce the likelihood of the Uromastyx lizard tipping over the bowls. The bowls should be large enough for the lizard to enter and soak, but not be too deep, especially for juvenile animals, to prevent drowning. Fresh water should be provided daily.
Temperature and Lighting
All reptiles should be provided with supplemental environmental heat to ensure they can meet their needs. As poikilotherms or ectotherms, they depend on their environmental temperature to regulate their core temperature. For Uromastyx lizards, heat can be provided through two avenues: a basking lamp and an under-tank heating pad. A basking lamp should be situated over one-side of the enclosure to provide a gradient of temperature. If the enclosure is large, multiple heat lamps with variable wattage (higher on one side, lower on the other side) may be needed to achieve the desired environmental temperature range for green iguanas. The daytime temperature range for Uromastyx lizards should be 84-94oF. By having a gradient of temperatures, the Uromastyx lizard can move from warmer to cooler temperatures based on its preference. The nighttime enclosure temperature can drop by 10oF; this is often achieved simply by turning off the heat lamp. An under-tank heat pad can be used in areas where ambient temperature in a household becomes too cool for the Uromastyx lizard (<70oF). The environmental humidity for these lizards should be 50-60%.
An ultraviolet B (UVB) bulb would also be beneficial for Uromastyx lizards. Research done using Fluker Farms UVB bulbs has shown that these animals can increase their vitamin D concentrations following UVB exposure. Vitamin D is an essential hormone that regulates bone health, immune function, and heart health, among other factors.
Uromastyx lizards should be exposed to basking and UVB lighting for 12 and 2 hours per day, respectively.
Diet and Nutrition
Uromastyx lizards are herbivores. Providing a variety of foods, such as commercial diets (e.g., Crafted Cuisine), mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, green beans, squash), fresh greens (e.g., romaine lettuce, collared and dandelion green), and lentils is a fantastic way to meet their needs. Some of these lizards will also consume live insects. For these animals, crickets or dubia roaches’ gut-loaded with Fluker Farms high calcium cricket and dubia roach diets, respectively, will provide the lizard with a proper calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Juvenile Uromastyx lizards should be fed daily, but as they age that can be altered to every other day. Because Uromastyx lizards don’t get much exercise in captivity, they can become too heavy if fed daily. Smaller meals that they must search for can increase their daily exercise.
Handling and Safety
Uromastyx lizards are typically gentle lizards and can be handled by supporting their long body with your open hands. They tend to want to always move forward and climb, so be sure they don’t fall and injure themselves. When alarmed, Uromastyx lizards will use their spiny tail to whip a perceived threat; thus, be patient when first handling these lizards to minimize their stress. Over time, they become quite accustomed to being handled.
Because Uromastyx lizards can carry Salmonella, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands after handling these animals or their enclosure. Children should always be supervised when handling any reptile and observed closely to ensure they thoroughly wash their hands after handling the lizard or anything associated with their enclosure.
Contact a veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness or distress such as more time spent hiding in the cage, eating less, weight loss, swollen joints, discharge from the eyes or nose, or abnormal feces.
Shopping List 
Diet- Crafter cuisine- garden diet
UVB lighting
Heat lamps
Thermometer/hygrometer
Substrate
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