Vital Statistics:
Region of origin:             Middle east and Northern Africa
Type of Environment:    Arid Savannah, Desert
Avg. Life Span:                15 years
Age at Maturity:               2-5 years
Size:                                  most <12 in, some species 30inches
Temperature Range:    70-90F,  Basking - 120
Humidity:                         <30%   
Diet:                                  vegetarian

Housing:     
    These active lizards require a large amount of room.  A minimum of 3 feet is required for even the smaller species as adults.  Uromastyx tend to fight when housed together so a solitary animal is best.  If more are desired mix either a male and 1-2 females or a couple of females, but make sure they have plenty of space to avoid each other as severe bite wounds can occur.  Wooden or fiberglass commercial containers are good, or livestock rubber or galvanized stock tanks make good enclosures.  Cage furniture should remain simple, but include several hiding areas and a basking rock (not a heat rock).  Sand appears to be the best substrate for this species.  Avoid silica containing sands and clean out food and waste material regularly.

Feeding:
    The mainstay of a uromastyx’ diet is a mixed green salad (romaine, turnip or collard greens, green and red leaf lettuce, dandelion leaves etc.)  A variety of vegetables should also be offered such as yellow and green zucchini, shredded carrots, peas, corn etc.  The above items should be offered fresh two to three times a week, unless you have a baby, then feed daily.  At all times these lizards should have a bowl of bird seed (mostly millet, safflower and clover, avoid sunflower) and dry beans.  I generally crush the beans to a more managable size.  Uros get their hydration from their food, so a water bowl is typically not offered.  Salads may be sprinkled with a Calcium/Vit D3 supplement at each feeding and weekly add a mineral supplement as well.  An occasional protein source such as a few crickets or meal worms may be given once a week.

Lighting:
    These desert dwelling species require high ambient temperatures in the range of 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit  during the day and as low as 65 degree at night.  All heat must be supplied from above, and the substrate deep enough that the lizard can burrow to cool down.  Daily UVA/UVB must be provided and a basking spot with temperatures up to 120 degree Fahrenheit is essential.   Try to keep humidity below 50%.  Make sure to change your UV bulbs every six months as they do wear out.