Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx alfredschmidti)

Short answers

Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×60 cm.

Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 32–40 °C, basking spot 52–58 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 12 %).

Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

32–40 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

52–58 °C

Humidity

15–30 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam 20–30 cm, large stone slabs, a deep cave

Feeding

Food

Leafy greens, herbs, seeds – purely plant-based

Feeding interval

plant food daily

Key facts

Adult size

30–40 cm total length

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Southern Algeria, Libya – the central Sahara

Protection status

CITES II; a very small range

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 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

Almost black animals with yellow dots. From the hottest part of the Sahara: it needs an extremely hot basking spot and very low humidity. Rare in captivity.

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 Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx alfredschmidti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam 20–30 cm, large stone slabs, a deep cave), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.