Ocellated spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx ocellata)

Short answers

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

From 120×70×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×70×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

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

Daytime 28–35 °C (cool corner 28–30 °C), basking spot 45–55 °C (surface temperature; air at the basking spot up to ~45 °C), at night 16–21 °C.

Ocellated 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 (10–14 %).

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Ocellated 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 corner 28–30 °C)

Night temperature

16–21 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C (surface temperature; air at the basking spot up to ~45 °C)

Humidity

30–50 %

UVB

A very high UVB requirement (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6); a strong T5 HO tube (10–14 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×70×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×70×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, diggable, 20–30 cm deep; stones, cork tubes and thick branches as hides and climbing aids

Feeding

Food

Purely herbivorous: ribwort plantain, vine leaves, dandelion, daisies, clover, chickweed; grains and seeds (millet, sunflower)

Feeding interval

fresh greens offered daily to adults (salad 4–5×/week), juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~32 cm total length (SVL up to 17 cm)

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia (north-eastern Africa)

Protection status

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

Brumation

A mild winter rest: reduce the photoperiod to 6–8 h in winter and keep it cooler; it encourages reproduction

Cohabitation

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

Notes

Also the "ornate spiny-tailed lizard". Fond of climbing → offer structure and height. German sources sometimes give 50–60 % humidity, US care sheets 30–40 %; the consensus is rather dry with locally damp ground. Well available as captive-bred animals.

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
• Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Ocellated spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx ocellata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×70×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 140×70×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (A sand-loam mix, diggable, 20–30 cm deep; stones, cork tubes and thick branches as hides and climbing aids), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.