Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii)

Short answers

Indian spiny-tailed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×60 cm (one adult animal).

Indian spiny-tailed lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C (cool zone 26–30 °C), basking spot 45–55 °C (surface temperature at the basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Indian spiny-tailed lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: A very high UVB requirement (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6); a strong T5 HO tube (12–14 %), replaced yearly.

Indian spiny-tailed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Indian spiny-tailed lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C (cool zone 26–30 °C)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C (surface temperature at the basking spot)

Humidity

20–35 %

UVB

A very high UVB requirement (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6); a strong T5 HO tube (12–14 %), replaced yearly

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×60 cm (one adult animal)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, diggable, 20–30 cm deep for burrows; partly tiles or calcium sand

Feeding

Food

Purely herbivorous: herbs, leaves, flowers (dandelion, plantain, clover), seeds and grains; no animal protein for adults

Feeding interval

fresh greens offered daily to adults (avoid insects), juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

35–40 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

North-western India and Pakistan (the Thar Desert, arid regions)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B → specially protected; registration with the local nature conservation authority, proof of origin required

Brumation

A winter rest of about 6–8 weeks at ~15–20 °C with a shortened photoperiod (they come from a region with cold winters)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the standard; territorial. A harem (one male plus several females) only in a very large enclosure with visual barriers; never keep males together

Notes

Taxonomically today in the genus Saara (Saara hardwickii). A primitive form with short, soft tail spines and a pronounced digger. Rare in captivity, and sensitive to temperatures that are too low (the commonest cause of death) and to permanently high humidity (respiratory infections).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) – Intermediate to expert
• Bent's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx benti) – Intermediate
• Iraqi spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx loricata) – Intermediate
• Yemeni spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx shobraki) – Intermediate
• Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx macfadyeni) – Intermediate
• Mali spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx dispar maliensis) – Intermediate
• Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) – Intermediate
• Geyr's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx geyri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×60 cm (one adult animal)), substrate (A sand-loam mix, diggable, 20–30 cm deep for burrows; partly tiles or calcium sand), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.