Egyptian uromastyx, also called Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard, Egyptian mastigure, or Dhub, is a kind of lizard with many names. Its scientific name is Uromastyx aegyptia.
It’s mostly found in the Middle East and North Africa — primarily in Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Iran, and Iraq as well as in the Arabian Peninsula — and has two subspecies — Uromastyx aegyptia aegyptia and Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis.
Egyptian Uromastyx Size and Color
An adult Egyptian uromastyx can measure 3 to 4 feet long and weigh up to about 3 1/2 pounds. It has a relatively flat body, which is covered in small, almost smooth scales. Its tail is thick and spiky, and the lizard can use it to defend against predators..
When the temperature changes, the Egyptian uromastyx lizard's scales change color. An adult Egyptian uromastyx is light brown to light gray at high temperatures, but dark gray to nearly black at low temperatures. A juvenile Egyptian uromastyx has bands of yellow spots over a gray-brown body.
Caring for the Egyptian Uromastyx
For proper Egyptian uromastyx care, you need to recreate their natural habitat and feed them the right diet. This isn't always easy, so these pets are best for people with some experience caring for reptiles. With a lifespan of two decades or more in captivity, they represent a major commitment.
Egyptian Uromastyx Enclosure Requirements
Egyptian uromastyx lizards are found naturally in sandy areas with compacted soils and rocky terrain, which allow them to easily dig burrows. In captivity, Egyptian uromastyx lizards need a large enclosure that replicates this desert habitat.
While younger Egyptian uromastyx can be kept in smaller enclosures, you can save both time and money by investing in a larger enclosure from the start. An enclosure that's at least 6 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high is recommended for each lizard.
Enclosures can be made of various kinds of materials, such as plastic or wood. You'll need a screen or mesh top to allow for airflow as well as light from basking lamps. The enclosure should have opaque sides to help the Egyptian uromastyx feel safe.
Put a layer made made up of 4-6 inches of sand (or sand mixed with dirt) in the enclosure so the lizard can dig, and change it out from time to time to keep it clean. Make sure you also place hide boxes or reptile caves, where your Egyptian uromastyx can securely hide and sleep, in the habitat.
Egyptian uromastyx lizards are used to hot conditions, so you'll need both heat and ultraviolet lamps.
Create a basking area in the enclosure that reaches temperatures of 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, include a retreat area with a temperature of 80 to 90 degrees. Temperatures should be reduced to about 65 degrees during the night.
It's essential to have a thermostat for your lamps to ensure that the enclosure stays at the correct temperature.
Egyptian Uromastyx Diet Requirements
Being desert species, Egyptian uromastyx lizards absorb moisture from food, so they can go without a separate supply of water.
Egyptian uromastyx eat mostly dark, leafy greens and dry foods like lentils, peas, and seeds. They may also occasionally eat insects and worms. Feed them daily or at least several times a week.
To keep them healthy, avoid giving them these foods:
- Beet greens
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Corn
- Citrus fruit
- Lettuce
- Parsley
- Soybeans
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can also be helpful.
Egyptian Uromastyx Behavior
The Egyptian uromastyx is a diurnal species, meaning that it’s active during the day and it sleeps throughout the night. They enjoy basking and burrowing.
Though it’s a docile lizard that prefers flight over fight, it may use its spiny tail to deliver painful blows to its predators if it feels threatened. They're unlikely to bite humans, but may bite other uromastyx while fighting.
Egyptian Uromastyx Lifespan
In captivity and with proper care, these lizards can live to be about 20 years old — some have even lived to be 30.
In the wild, their lifespan is usually shorter. Today, one of the major threats to the Egyptian uromastyx is developmental events that threaten their grazing habitats and other competition that takes away their ability to graze. Both predators and parasites also affect Egyptian uromastyx lifespan in the wild.
The main predators of Egyptian uromastyx are still unknown, but they’re thought to be wolves, raptors, dogs, snakes, and shrikes.
Adult Egyptian uromastyx lizards hide in burrows when they spot danger, including predators and humans. But because they’re unable to create burrows, juvenile Egyptian uromastyx lizards hide under stones or in shallow places.
