Princely spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx princeps)

Short answers

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

100×50×50 cm.

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

Daytime 32–38 °C, basking spot 50 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 12 %).

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

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

32–38 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

50 °C

Humidity

20–35 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with rock crevices, and room to dig

Feeding

Food

Leafy greens, herbs, seeds – purely plant-based

Feeding interval

plant food daily

Key facts

Adult size

16–22 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Somalia, Ethiopia

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A winter rest of 8–12 weeks

Cohabitation

Pairs or a harem (one male, several females) work well; two males never go together — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is badly injured or ends up permanently cornered. One male with several females works reliably instead. Several warm spots and hides are important so lower-ranking animals can retreat, and feed separately once sizes differ.

Notes

The smallest spiny-tailed lizard – it fits into much smaller terrariums than the Saharan species. A rock-crevice dweller: it needs narrow stone crevices rather than deep burrows.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Princely spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx princeps) 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
• 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 Princely spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx princeps) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with rock crevices, and room to dig), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.