Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx macfadyeni)

Short answers

Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm (one adult animal), plenty of climbing structure.

Macfadyen's 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.

Macfadyen's 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 %).

Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Macfadyen's 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

30–35 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm (one adult animal), plenty of climbing structure

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in; rock structures and climbing rocks

Feeding

Food

Purely herbivorous: herbs, leaves, flowers, seeds; plus a water bowl two or three times a week

Feeding interval

fresh greens offered daily to adults, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 20–23 cm (the smallest Uromastyx species)

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

North-western Somalia (Somaliland, the Berbera area)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B → specially protected; registration required, proof of origin required

Brumation

A mild rest period (a shorter photoperiod, ~18–22 °C) to stimulate breeding; no true cold brumation

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the standard; territorial. A harem only in a large, structured enclosure; never keep males together

Notes

A very active, climbing-keen small species – it needs plenty of climbing and hiding options. Untypically for Uromastyx, it takes water from a bowl. Rare in the trade; the detailed data come from genus-level care plus its distribution.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx macfadyeni) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) – Intermediate to expert
• Bent's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx benti) – Intermediate
• Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) – Intermediate
• Iraqi spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx loricata) – Intermediate
• Yemeni spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx shobraki) – 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 Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx macfadyeni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm (one adult animal), plenty of climbing structure), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in; rock structures and climbing rocks), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.