Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura)

Short answers

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

From 160×120×90 cm for one animal or a pair (1997 expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times snout–vent length, valid for up to two animals).

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

Daytime 30–35 °C (cool zone 26–28 °C), basking spot ~50 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

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

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

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–35 °C (cool zone 26–28 °C)

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

~50 °C

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

Essential (desert-grade UVB, 10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 160×120×90 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, 20–30 cm

Feeding

Food

Purely plant-based (wild herbs, flowers, seeds)

Feeding interval

Green food daily

Key facts

Adult size

35–45 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)

Protection status

Annex B (CITES II) – registration required

Brumation

A winter rest of 3–4 months (important for breeding)

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 very hot local basking spot (about 50 °C) and thick diggable ground are essential. Adults are strictly plant-based; do not incubate the eggs too damp.

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
• Mali spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx dispar maliensis) – Intermediate
• Geyr's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx geyri) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 160×120×90 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, 20–30 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.