Uromastyx
Uromastyx maliensis
Reptiles Alive Name: “Mali”
Hissstory: Mali was donated to us by former RA staff person Jennifer Rafter in 1999.
RA Diet: Greens, vegetables, and zoo herbivore lizard food.
Natural Diet: Greens, grasses, flowers, seeds, and occasional insects.
Range: Northern Africa
Habitat: Rocky deserts.
Size: Can grow to 15 – 17 inches.
Lifespan: 20+ years
Reproduction: Females lay about 15 eggs that will hatch in 60-70 days.
Conservation Issues: Captive breeding has proven difficult for this lizard, most uromastyx in the pet trade are wild caught. Many people still capture this lizard for food throughout its range.
Cool Facts: These lizards sleep in their burrows with their spiny tails closest to the opening. If a predator gets too close, the Uromastyx will whip its spiny tail in defense.