Mali Uromastyx - Uromastyx maliensis
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Mali
Uromastyx - Uromastyx maliensis
[Back to
Lizard Care Sheets]
General Information
Distribution - Mali, Southwestern Algeria.
Habitat — The Mali Uromastyx inhabits dry desert and scrublands, where they dig deep burrows and hide within rock crevices.
Adult Size — Adults average 22-27 cm (10-12 inches) snout-vent length.
Temperament — These animals are generally quite shy and will try to get any potential threat to go away by hiding with only their heavily spiked tail outside of the hiding place. This tail is used as a "club" which is frantically swung back and forth in an attempt to strike the "intruder". The strike of the tail is potentially quite painful. Although most are skittish, with proper handling some of these lizards can become tame.
Longevity — Mali Uromastyx live to be between 8 and 10 years of age in captivity.
Captive Care
Rating: 3 — Due to this animals good nature, feeding habits, and adult size it receives a better rating than most. Watch out for wild caught specimens - this species is difficult to breed and eggs are difficult to hatch; therefore, many wild caught animals are still being imported. Domestically bred Uromastyx make good pets.
Diet: All adult Uromastyx are primarily herbivores, although some will eat the occasional cricket. A diet of leafy greens (Escarole, Endive, Kale, Collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion etc.) Mixed frozen vegetables (corn, carrots, beans, broccoli, bamboo shoots, diced onion, water chestnut etc.) alfalfa pellets birdseed (occasionally), lentils and commercially produced iguana food. Feeder insects can be offered once a week, and the food should be dusted at least once a week with multivitamin/minerals. A higher protein diet should be offered to growing hatchlings and juveniles.
Temperature: Up to 40oC-43oC (115-120 F) underneath the basking lamp with a cool area of about 25oC (85 F). Fluorescent UVB light is essential for Uromastyx as it is a diurnal desert species.
Space: Uromastyx need fairly roomy enclosures, an absolute minimum would be a 35 gal tank.
Breeding: The Mali Uromastyx have only occasionally been bred in captivity. They seem to reach sexual maturity between 2-5 years of age. This species seems to need cooling/brumation in order to reproduce. The courtship/mating usually starts 6-12 weeks after emergence from hibernation. The eggs are deposited in moist substrate (sand, perlite, vermiculite etc.) and hatch after 80-90 days at a temperature of 28oC (90 F). Size of clutch seems to vary between 4 and 23 eggs. Hatchlings are 3-9 cm (2-4 inches) in length.
Special Requirements: As mentioned earlier, Uromastyx need a lot of heat, roomy enclosures and a varied diet to do well in captivity. Other considerations are substrate and adequate hide boxes. Uromastyx can be successfully maintained on newspaper substrate, alfalfa pellets, Desert Blend (ground walnutshell), or washed play sand. As for hiding, at least 1 hide box should be in the enclosure- this can be provided by slate rocks placed on top of each other and siliconed, as this prevents rocks from falling down and crushing the lizard.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.
De Vosjoli, Philippe. 1995. Basic Care of Uromastyx. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc., Santee, California. Pp. 18.
Manthey, Ulrich and Norbert Schuster. 1996. Agamid Lizards. TFH Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 189.
Rogner, Manfred. 1997. Lizards, Volume 1. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 317.
Walls, Jerry G. 1996. Uromastyx & Butterfly Agamids. TFH Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. Pp. 65.