Spiny-tailed Lizard

''Uromastyx'' is a genus of African and Asian agamid lizards, the member species of which are commonly called spiny-tailed lizards, uromastyces, mastigures, or dabb lizards. Lizards in the genus ''Uromastyx'' are primarily herbivorous, but occasionally eat insects and other small animals, especially young lizards. They spend most of their waking hours basking in the sun, hiding in underground chambers at daytime, or when danger appears. They tend to establish themselves in hilly, rocky areas with good shelter and accessible vegetation.

Taxonomy

The generic name (''Uromastyx'') is derived from the Ancient Greek words ''ourá'' (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and ''-mastix'' (μάστιξ) meaning "whip" or "scourge", after the thick-spiked tail characteristic of all ''Uromastyx'' species.

Species

The following species are in the genus ''Uromastyx''.. www.reptile-database.org. Three additional species were formerly placed in this genus, but have been moved to their own genus, '' Saara''.Wilms TM, Böhme W, Wagner P, Lutzmann N, Schmitz A (2009). "On the Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Genus Uromastyx Merrem, 1820 (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae: Uromastycinae) – Resurrection of the Genus Saara Gray, 1845". ''Bonner zoologische Beiträge'' 56 (1/2): 55–99.

*'' Uromastyx acanthinura'' – North African mastigure, North African spiny-tailed lizard
*'' Uromastyx aegyptia'' – Egyptian mastigure, Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard

*''Uromastyx alfredschmidti'' – Schmidt's mastigure, Schmidt's spiny-tailed lizard
*'' Uromastyx benti'' – Bent's mastigure, Yemeni spiny-tailed lizard
*'' Uromastyx dispar'' – Sudan mastigure
**''Uromastyx (dispar) dispar''
**'' Uromastyx (dispar) flavifasciata''
**''Uromastyx (dispar) maliensis'' – Mali uromastyx
*'' Uromastyx geyri'' – Geyr’s spiny-tailed lizard, Saharan spiny-tailed lizard
*'' Uromastyx macfadyeni'' – Macfadyen's mastigure
*'' Uromastyx nigriventris'' – Moroccan spiny-tailed lizard
*''Uromastyx occidentalis''
*'' Uromastyx ocellata'' – Ocellated spinytail
*''Uromastyx ornata'' – ornate mastigure
*''Uromastyx princeps'' – princely spiny-tailed lizard, Somalian mastigure
*''Uromastyx shobraki''
*''Uromastyx thomasi'' – Omani spiny-tailed lizard, Thomas's mastigure
*'' Uromastyx yemenensis'' – South Arabian spiny-tailed lizard

Description

Their size ranges from (''U. macfadyeni'') to or more (''U. aegyptia''). Hatchlings or neonates are usually no more than in length. Like many reptiles, these lizards' colors change according to the temperature and season; during cool weather they appear dull and dark but the colors become lighter in warm weather, especially when basking; the darker pigmentation allows their skin to absorb sunlight more effectively.

Their spiked tail is muscular and heavy, and is able to be swung at an attacker with great velocity, usually accompanied by hissing and an open-mouthed display of (small) teeth. Uromastyx generally sleep in their burrows with their tails closest to the opening, in order to thwart intruders.

Distribution

''Uromastyx'' inhabit a range stretching through most of North and Northeast Africa, the Middle East, ranging as far east as Iran. Species found further east are now placed in the genus '' Saara''. ''Uromastyx'' occur at elevations from sea level to well over . They are regularly eaten, and sold in produce markets, by local peoples.

Diet

These lizards acquire most of the water they need from the vegetation they ingest. In the wild they generally eat any surrounding vegetation. When hatching, baby uromastyx eat their own mother's feces as their first meal before heading off to find a more sustainable food source.

In the wild, adult Malis have been reported to eat insects at certain times of the year, when it is hot and their only food source available would be insects.

Reproduction

A female ''Uromastyx'' can lay anywhere from 5 to 40 eggs, depending on age and species. Eggs are laid approximately 30 days following copulation with an incubation time of 70–80 days. The neonates weigh and are about snout to vent length. They rapidly gain weight during the first few weeks following hatching.

A field study in Algeria concluded that Moroccan spiny-tailed lizards add approximately of total growth each year until around the age of 8–9 years.Vernet, Roland; Lemire, Michel; Grenot, Claude J.; Francaz, Jean-Marc (1988). "Ecophysiological comparisons between two large Saharan Lizards, ''Uromastyx acanthinurus'' (Agamidae) and ''Varanus griseus'' (Varanidae)". ''Journal of Arid Environment''s 14:187–200.

Wild female uromastyx are smaller and less colorful than males. For example, ''U. (dispar) maliensis'' females are often light tan with black dorsal spots, while males are mostly bright yellow with mottled black markings. Females also tend to have shorter claws. In captivity female ''U. (dispar) maliensis'' tend to mimic males in color. Maliensis are, therefore, reputably difficult to breed in captivity.

Consumption by humans

''Uromastyx maliensis'', known as "ḍabb" ( ar, ضَـبْ) by peninsular Arabs, is historically consumed as food by some of the bedouin population of the Arabian peninsula, mainly those residing in the interior and eastern regions of Arabia. This lizard used to be considered an "arabian delicacy". It is recorded that when an ''Uromastyx'' was brought to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by Bedouins, Muhammad did not eat the lizard but Muslims were not prohibited by him from consuming it; thus Muhammad's companion Khalid bin Walid consumed the lizard.

In Judaism, this lizard is traditionally identified as the biblical tzav, one of the 8 "creeping" animals forbidden for consumption that impart ritual impurity. The Torah states: “The following shall be impure for you among the creeping animals that swarm upon the earth: The weasel, and the mouse, and the dab lizard (tzav) of every variety; and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the skink, and the chameleon” (Leviticus 11:29-30).

Captivity

Uromastyx are removed from the wild in an unregulated manner for the pet and medicinal trade in Morocco, despite their protected status in the country; conditions of the animals while being sold is often extremely poor and overcrowding is common. Historically, captive ''Uromastyx'' had a poor survival rate, due to a lack of understanding of their dietary and environmental needs. In recent years, knowledge has significantly increased, and appropriate diet and care has led to survival rates and longevity approaching and perhaps surpassing those in the wild. With good care, they are capable of living for over 25 years, and possibly as old as 60.

See also

*Animals in Islam

References

External links

Information on some Uromastyx species

A digital library source from the University of Texas at Austin

Detailed Uromastyx Care Sheet

Uromastyx.eu

Dr. Doug Dix Uromastyx Page

The UroWiki

{{Taxonbar, from=Q739847

Reptiles of Africa
Reptiles of the Middle East
Lizard genera
Taxa named by Blasius Merrem
Reptiles as pets