Ornate spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx ornata)

Short answers

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

From 120×80×60 cm for a pair (expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times the snout–vent length).

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

Daytime 35–40 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 20–25 °C.

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

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

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Ornate 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

45–55 °C

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

Essential (desert-grade UVB, 10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×80×60 cm for a pair (expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times the snout–vent length)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, 15–20 cm

Feeding

Food

Purely plant-based (wild herbs, flowers, seeds); no live food

Feeding interval

Green food daily, dried herbs always on offer

Key facts

Adult size

30–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Egypt, Sinai, north-western Arabia (rocky desert)

Protection status

Annex B (CITES II) – registration required

Brumation

A winter rest of ~2–3 months (cooler, with less light)

Cohabitation

A pair or harem in a large enclosure; the males do not get on with each other. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

Keep it extremely hot and dry, with a high local basking spot as a must. Adults are strictly plant-based – animal food leads to obesity and gout.

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 Ornate spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx ornata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×80×60 cm for a pair (expert report: 5 × 4 × 3 times the snout–vent length)), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, 15–20 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.