Both uromastyx and bearded dragons make amazing pet lizards. However, there are still differences that you need to know before making your choice. In this post, you will find differences between bearded dragons and uromastyx, as well as pros and cons. This will hopefully help you decide if a uromastyx or bearded dragon is more suitable for you.
Comparison categories:
- Lifespan
- Size and growth
- Diet
- Tank requirements
- Personality, handling tolerance and docility
- Biting
- Looks
- Tail dropping
- Heat, light and humidity requirements
- Costs
- Suitability for beginners and children
- Activity time
- Availability
- Breeding difficulty
- Ability to live in groups
- Cleanliness and smell
- Brumation
Comparison #1: Lifespan
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons have an average lifespan. In captivity with good care, bearded dragons can live for 7-12 years on average, but up to 15 years with very good care.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx live longer – with good care, most will live for around 10-15 years. With very good care, some uromastyx will live for 15-20 years! There are uromastyx that have lived for up to 25 years as well!
Verdict: Uromastyx win in this category – most uromastyx will live longer than bearded dragons with good care.
Comparison #2: Size and growth
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are medium sized lizards. Most adults reach 17-24 inches (43-61cm) long from head to tail. However, there are pygmy bearded dragons that only reach 10-14 inches (25-35.6cm) long. If you would like a large bearded dragon, you also have an option – German Giants reach 22-24 inches (56-61cm) long.
Bearded dragons reach their adult size within 16-24 months. That is when it will also reach sexual maturity and adulthood.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are also medium sized lizards, but there are more species that reach different sizes. Larger species such as Moroccans and and Dispar flavifasciata reach 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) and up to 19.6 inches (50 cm) respectively.
Largest uromastyx species – Egyptians – reach up to 30-36 inches (75-91cm) long. Smallest species are, for example, u. princeps, which reach 10 inches (27cm). Ornates are also rather small, reaching 12-13 inches (30-33cm) long, similarly to ocellata – up to 14 inches long (37cm).
Most common uromastyx species, such as Geyri – reach only 10-14 inches (25.4-35.5 cm) long, similarly to Mali – 12-16 inches (30-40cm).
Uromastyx however, take a longer time to reach adult size and maturity. They are one of the slowest growing lizards – reaching adulthood and full size by 3-5 years old.
Verdict: In general, bearded dragons get a bit bigger, but there are a lot of various uromastyx species if you wish to have a smaller pet lizard. Both are great size for handling and keeping in a moderately sized tank. However, uromastyx take much longer to reach full size.
Comparison #3: Diet
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are omnivores, so you would need to feed your pet both live feeder bugs and vegetables/greens. However, bearded dragons eat less bugs and more greens with age. A baby bearded dragon will eat mainly insects when young, but after reaching maturity at around 12 months, will mainly eat greens.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are vegetarian, so you would not need to feed your pet lizards any bugs. Your uromastyx will need to eat veggies, greens, some legumes and seeds.
Verdict: Uromastyx definitely win in this category. Feeding uromastyx is much easier, as you won’t need to buy, keep or breed live bugs. This can be a breaking point for many people.
Comparison #4: Tank requirements
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons will need a moderately sized terrarium, and this is very important. A small tank will stress out your bearded dragon, bore it and won’t allow to thermoregulate.
1 adult bearded dragon will need a 55-70 gallon tank, that is at least 36 inches (92cm) long. 40 gallon breeder tank is a bare minimum, but please invest in a bigger tank as your pet deserves it.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx will also need a moderately sized tank, but larger one than bearded dragons. That is because uromastyx can be rather active and need higher temperatures, and a small space won’t allow to create a temperature gradient.
1 adult uromastyx will need a tank that is at least 48 inches long x 24 high x 24 wide (75+ gallons). Egyptian uromastyx will need a minimum of 6x3x3 feet long tank.
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx need medium-large tanks, but uromastyx need a tank that’s a bit bigger.
Comparison #5: Personality, handling tolerance and docility
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizards for a reason – they are very personable and docile. Most bearded dragons are tolerant and even enjoy handling, coming out of the tank and sitting on your lap or shoulder for a long time.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are also personable and intelligent lizards. They enjoy watching things around, with those beautiful curious eyes. However, not all uromastyx will be happy to be handled and might be skittish.
Some also take a long time to trust their owners and tame out – some can even take months, or a year. However, you can also work with your pet and most tame out with time. Some will be happy to come out and be handled. Some will be very happy to come out after they become tame. In general, most uromastyx are or become tolerant of handling.
Verdict: Bearded dragons are definitely winners in this category. Most bearded dragons are docile and don’t take long to tame out. With uromastyx – you cannot be sure whether your uromastyx will tame out, especially if you are getting a baby.
If you really want to handle your uromastyx a lot, get an adult that is already tame & docile or work with your uromastyx to build trust.
Comparison #6: Biting
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are very unlikely to bite. They can bite if they confuse your fingers with food or if you agitate it to an extreme.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are also very unlikely to bite, unless you make it feel very threatened and scared. When scared, they are more likely to hiss and run to their hide.
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx are very unlikely to bite. Baby bite wouldn’t draw blood, but adult bite can.
Comparison #7: Looks
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are cool looking lizards. They look like small dragons, and have a beautiful beard and a lot of spikes (not sharp). There are also a lot of different bearded dragons morphs that have a different color.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are also gorgeous – their curious eyes, various colorations, speckles and a stunning spiky tail. Their head also resembles tortoises or dinosaurs. There are a lot of various uromastyx species, and some have stunning coloration.
Verdict: Looks are just a matter of preference. Both are beautiful lizards that deserve attention. Bearded dragons have morphs, while uromastyx – various species that are stunningly colored.
Comparison #8: Tail dropping
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons don’t drop their tails, which is good news.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx also don’t drop their tails – their spiky tail is a primary defense mechanism in the wild.
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx don’t drop their tails. Of course, injuries, illnesses or bad living conditions can cause tail breakage or rot. With uromastyx, you must be especially careful and avoid soaking and high humidity, to prevent tail rot.
Comparison #9: Heating, lighting and humidity requirements
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons come from desert areas, and need high UVB and a high temperature basking spot. Humidity should be low- 20-40%.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx also come from hottest areas of the world, and also need high UVB and high basking temperatures. Their heat requirements are a bit higher than bearded dragons’. Uromastyx also need low humidity – around 20-30%, and no soaking or bathing.
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx require a high 10%-12% UVB source and high basking temperatures. Bearded dragons require basking temperatures of around 92-110 degrees F (33-43 C), while uromastyx – 120-140 Fahrenheit (49-60 Celsius).
Comparison #10: Costs
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are not too expensive to buy, however morphs can cost more (200$)+. After the initial setup, you will mostly have to spend on live bugs – but older you bearded dragon gets, less you will spend on food. You can go from $20-40 a week to $20-40 a month. Breeding your own live bugs will minimize any costs.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx will not cost much at all to keep after the initial setup. They are also hardy.
Verdict: Uromastyx are cheaper to keep after the initial setup, but costs can be minimized with bearded dragons too.
Comparison #11: Suitability for beginners or children
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are rather easy to keep and are good beginner pets because they are docile and calm. Apart from the initial setup and feeding live bugs, bearded dragons are rather easy to keep.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are easy to keep after you have set up the enclosure. Feeding is easy, and most uromastyx don’t need to eat every day. Suitable for beginners, but might not be the best pet lizard for handling (however will depend on each uromastyx).
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx are suitable for beginners. Make sure to learn all about heat, light and humidity, and setup the tank before getting the pet. It will also get easier as time goes on, as you will learn more about care needs.
Both are rather easy to keep, but bearded dragons will require you to deal with live bugs. Also, both pet lizards are fine for children, but uromastyx can be skittish and are not always the best with long handling sessions.
Comparison #12: Activity time
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are diurnal – they are active during the day and sleep at night.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are also diurnal.
Verdict: Both bearded dragons and uromastyx are diurnal.
Comparison #13: Availability
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are one of the most popular pet lizards and can be found almost in any pet or reptile shop. They are also affordable, and can be found at Expos, shops and online. Morphs will be more expensive. Even though there are many bearded dragons available, please be vigilant when getting one. You can read a guide on getting a healthy dragon here.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx are not very widely available, and some species will be hard to find or unavailable because of export laws in the origin countries. You are more likely to find more wild caught animals, so please be vigilant and don’t choose a wild caught animal unless you have some experience with reptiles. However, it’s very possible to find uromastyx for sale – ask smaller shops and private breeders.
Verdict: Uromastyx are harder to find for sale/adoption than bearded dragons, and often will cost more (unless you are getting a bearded dragon morph). Adoption is also a good choice – but always make sure to learn about possible health issues before committing.
Comparison #14: Breeding difficulty
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are not hard to breed. They start breeding quite early – at the age of 18-24 months old.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx take a long time to grow and mature sexually. You will need to wait for your uromastyx to turn 3.5 to even 4-5 years old before you can breed them. Most species are also hard to sex. However, once uromastyx reach breeding age, it’s not hard to breed them.
Verdict: Bearded dragons can start breeding at the age of 18-24 months, while uromastyx – 3.5-5 years old. However, in general, breeding difficulty is similar.
Comparison #15: Ability to live in groups
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons are solitary and competitive lizards. While you might keep hatchlings together for the first few weeks, you need to separate them later. You should highly avoid housing bearded dragons together.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx can be housed together, but it’s not the best idea. Males must never be housed together. Male and female, or a male and two females might work sometimes, but you will need a huge enclosure. Unfortunately, pairs or trios might become aggressive with each other, so you must have a plan on separating them in case this happens.
Verdict: Bearded dragons must not be housed together. With uromastyx, it might work, but you will need a lot of space and monitoring. It’s also hard to tell the sex of uromastyx until they are 3-4 years old, so you must make sure both are not males first.
Some even ask if bearded dragons and uromastyx can be housed together, and the answer is no. Bearded dragons will need live food, while uromastyx don’t. Uromastyx also need higher ambient and basking temperatures. This could only work if the tank is 7+ feet long and has a barrier in the middle so they can’t get to each other. Mixing species is never a good idea.
Comparison #16: Cleanliness and smell
Bearded dragons: Bearded dragons poop every 1-3 days on average, and it can be in different spots of the tank. You can however make your bearded dragon poop in the bathtub at the same time every day if you have time for it. Bearded dragon poop often has an unpleasant smell, but if you spot clean, it should be fine.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx also poop every 1-3 days on average. Their poop doesn’t smell, as they don’t eat live bugs. Spot cleaning is easy.
Verdict: Bearded dragons can cause more unpleasant smell that uromastyx. Both would need a daily, weekly and monthly tank cleaning.
Comparison #17: Brumation
Bearded dragons: Many bearded dragons brumate in captivity from the age of 18-24 months old. During brumation, your bearded dragon will not eat, but might come out from time to time and be mildly active. Not all bearded dragons in captivity will brumate however.
Uromastyx: Uromastyx also tend to slow down during winter, but not all will do.
Verdict: Both uromastyx and bearded dragons might brumate in winter. Brumation is often induced to prepare them for the breeding season (advanced keepers). But if your pet can sense lower temperatures, it will go into brumation.
Summary – bearded dragon vs. uromastyx
Both bearded dragons and uromastyx make excellent pet lizards. Hopefully, this article helped you to better understand the needs of these pet lizards, so you can make a choice for yourself.
If you would like to read more about choosing and getting a healthy bearded dragon, please read this post. You can also read a full post on pros and cons of uromastyx here.