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Ocellated Spiny-tailed Lizard
Uromastyx ocellata
An extreme heat-loving, herbivorous agamid from northeast Africa. Demands a spacious desert terrarium (120x60x60 cm) with exceptionally high basking temperatures (50-55°C), intense 10-12% UVB, and a strict diet of leafy greens.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Agamidae
Subfamily:Uromastycinae
Genus:Uromastyx
Species:Uromastyx ocellata
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
10 - 25 %
Day temperature
35 - 40 °C
Ambient temperature
35 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
48 °C
Adult size
17.5 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 150 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the arid regions of northeast Africa, particularly Sudan, southern Egypt, and Somalia. It inhabits rocky deserts, scree slopes, and dry acacia scrublands.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Agamidae, genus Uromastyx. Well-adapted physiologically to conserve moisture and tolerate extremely high desert temperatures.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly diurnal and terrestrial, though they are skilled rock climbers. They spend a large portion of the day basking. When threatened, they wedge themselves into rock crevices and block the entry with their spiny tail.
Morphology: Reaches 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) in total length. Features a flattened, broad body, a stout head, and a heavy tail covered in whorls of sharp spines. Males develop bright blue or green coloration with white/yellow circular spots (ocelli).
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a spacious desert terrarium (minimum 48x24x24 inches / 120x60x60 cm). Use a dry sand or sand/soil substrate deep enough for burrowing. Provide stable rock piles and slates for climbing.
Lighting and Heating: Extremely thermophilic. Basking spot surface temperature of 50-55°C (122-131°F) is critical. Keep ambient temperatures at 35-40°C (95-104°F) on the warm side and 30°C (86°F) on the cool side. High-output UVB (10-12% T5 HO) is mandatory.
Humidity and Hydration: Arid environment (15-30% humidity). Avoid high humidity as it leads to skin infections. Do not provide a standing water dish; they obtain hydration from food. A humid hide can be provided during shedding.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly herbivorous. Feed daily with dark leafy greens (endive, dandelion, escarole), edible flowers (hibiscus), and dry seeds (lentils, millet, split peas). Dust foods with calcium powder 4-5 times a week.
Compatibility: Males are highly territorial and will fight. Best kept individually, in male-female pairs, or small harems (one male, multiple females) in very large enclosures.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if UVB or calcium is lacking. High humidity or damp substrates can cause tail rot (fungal infections) and respiratory illnesses.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the arid regions of northeast Africa, particularly Sudan, southern Egypt, and Somalia. It inhabits rocky deserts, scree slopes, and dry acacia scrublands.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 17.5 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 17.5 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 17.5 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
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Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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