Mali spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx dispar maliensis)

Short answers

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

From 150×100×80 cm for one animal or a pair (1997 expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times snout–vent length, valid for up to two animals).

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

Daytime 35–40 °C, basking spot 50–55 °C, at night 20–25 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (desert-grade UVB, 10–12 %).

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

35–40 °C

Night temperature

20–25 °C

Basking spot

50–55 °C

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

Essential (desert-grade UVB, 10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×100×80 cm for one animal or a pair (1997 expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times snout–vent length, valid for up to two animals)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, ~20 cm

Feeding

Food

Purely plant-based (wild herbs, flowers, seeds); no house crickets

Feeding interval

Green food daily, dried herbs always available

Key facts

Adult size

~40–45 cm total length (heavy-bodied)

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

The Western Sahara, Mali, Mauritania (desert)

Protection status

Annex B (CITES II) – registration required

Brumation

A winter rest of ~2–3 months (from October or November, cooler and with less light)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option; uromastyx live as loners in the wild. A settled pair usually works in a large enclosure but must be watched; several females together often lead to individual animals being suppressed, especially during the breeding season and gravidity. Males do not tolerate each other: they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. When kept together, every animal needs its own basking and hiding spots; if sizes differ, feed separately and have a way to separate them ready.

Notes

A strictly plant-based diet, no crickets (which are harmful). A very hot basking spot and deep, diggable ground are needed.

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
• Indian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) – Intermediate
• Iraqi spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx loricata) – Intermediate
• Yemeni spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx shobraki) – Intermediate
• Macfadyen's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx macfadyeni) – 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 Mali spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx dispar maliensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×100×80 cm for one animal or a pair (1997 expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times snout–vent length, valid for up to two animals)), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, ~20 cm), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.