Uromastyx are amazing and beautiful lizards that make excellent pets. There are various species of uromastyx – with various beautiful colorations. Thankfully, they all require similar living conditions, so choosing species is a matter of your preference. In this post, you will find out various types of pet uromastyx and species list with pictures, which uromastyx makes the best pet and more.
Uromastyx species list
- Thomasi (Omani uromastyx)
- Ornata
- Yemeni (Yemenensis)
- Benti (Yemeni uromastyx)
- Shobraki
- Ocellata
- Nigriventris (Moroccan)
- Dispar flavifasciata
- Dispar Maliensis (Mali)
- Acanthinura (African)
- Alfredschmidti
- Geyri (Saharan)
- Aegyptia (Egyptian)
- Microlepis (Arabian)
- Leptieni
- Macfadyeni (Somali)
- Princeps
- Occidentalis
- Philbyi (Arabian)
- Saara Hardwicki (mainly India)
- Saara Asmussi (Iran)
- Saara Loricata (Iraq)
Species #1: Uromastyx Thomasi (Omani)
Thomasi uromastyx come from Oman – southeastern Arabian country. Uromastyx thomasi have a short and round tail with short spines, making it their special feature.
Uromastyx thomasi are small to medium sized uromastyx species, and can reach around 9-10 inches long (23-26cm). They have a long strong body, and a short tail.
Coloration can be different – mainly lightly colored body with brownish, green, blue, pinkish, cream, golden, with black or grey specs, and presence or lack of stripes on the head. There is also a line running along the back, which is often orange in color. Intensity of colors is different between individuals.
Thomasi uromastyx also have the similarly round tail to U.princeps, even though they are not related. However, in thomasi, the tail is flatter. Unlike U.princeps, thomasi uromastyx have femoral pores near their cloaca. Males especially develop stronger pores once reaching sexual maturity and become more colorful than females.
Omani uromastyx make great pets, they are not shy lizards and are docile. Caring requirements are the same as for other types of uromastyx – high temperatures, veggies, greens and seeds for food and similar terrarium size.
Species #2: Uromastyx Ornata
Uromastyx ornata come from regions between Egypt, Sinai desert, Israel and western parts of Saudi Arabia. Ornate uromastyx are closely related to the ocellata group.
Uromastyx ornata are medium sized colorful lizards. Ornate uromastyx can reach around 12-14 inches (30-37 cm), making them medium sized uromastyx species.
They also develop beautiful colors, including green, yellow, turquoise, some red and cobalt. Most individuals have a mix of colors, and some will also have stripes or dots around the head.
However, males of this species are much more colorful than females, which can lack colors and have mainly cream or brownish coloration. But both males and females have spots (often yellow) on their backs, but in females they are less vivid. It can take ornate uromastyx 3-6 years to properly develop colors.
Young ornates are very active and love climbing, but with age they start climbing less. They also have good personalities and make great pets. Ornate uromastyx are one of the most popular species to keep and suited for beginners.
Species #3: Yemeni uromastyx (Yemenensis)
Yemeni uromastyx come from Yemen, south Arabian coast. They are also called rainbow uromastyx. This is because Yemeni uromastyx have a beautiful coloration. They have rows of white lines on their back, and their body colors can range from brown, grey, yellow, blue, pink and more.
Yemeni uromastyx reach around 13-14 inches (33-35cm) long. Males are much more colorful than females, with their throats being black or dark blue.
Yemeni uromastyx make great pets as they are pretty and can become very docile (some will take more time as can be initially shy). They also love to climb and stay active throughout their lives. However, they are hard to find.
Species #4: Uromastyx Benti (Yemeni)
Even though uromastyx benti is also from Yemen, it differs from Yemeni uromastyx (yemenensis). U. benti have larger scales in the middle of their bodies, larger ventrals and also differ by genetics.
Benti have simple grey/brownish coloration, and some will have faded yellow or pinkish coloration on the body and tail. You can also see spots or lines in various individuals. Some individuals might also have darker colors around the head.
Species #5: Uromastyx Shobraki
U. shobraki also originate from Yemen. However, they can get a bit larger than u.yemenensis- up to 15 inches (39cm). They look a lot like u. benti, but are genetically different. You are unlikely to find shobraki for sale, as they are vulnerable in the wild.
Species #6: Uromastyx Ocellata
U. ocellata is another colorful species or uromastyx. Ocellata are found in Somalia, North Sudan, Ethiopia. Also, they can be found is southern Egypt, Eritrea and Djibouti.
Ocellata are commonly kept as pets and are generally docile and friendly, some can be shyer than others and will need work for taming. Their main color lines are brick red and olive green. All ocellata individuals have white ocelli (circles) on the backs, surrounded by other coloration.
U.ocellata can reach around 11-12 inches (28-30cm) long, making them smaller uromastyx species. They stay active throughout their lives and love climbing as well.
Species #7: Uromastyx nigriventris (Moroccan)
Moroccan uromastyx come from North Africa in Morocco and part of Algeria, and belong to Acanthinura species. They live in harsh desert conditions, so are quite hardy.
Moroccan uromastyx are beautiful species that adapt well with taming. As babies, they are mostly tan brown, but with age, they develop beautiful colors.
At 2-3 years of age, you will start seeing yellow or red coloration develop. Both males and females develop similar color and are hard to differentiate. They also have a lot of small specs on their back.
Moroccan uromastyx can reach 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) with good care, so they are considered larger species of uromastyx. They are good pets and usually available as captive breds only due to country’s export limitations. Moroccans are hardy and some can be shier than others, but can be tamed as well.
Species #8: Uromastyx dispar flavifasciata
Dispar flavifasciata are larger uromastyx species, reaching around 19.6 inches (50 cm). They come from desert areas in Niger, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania.
Flavifasciata are also called banded uromastyx because they develop 5-7 bands on their backs with age. Similarly to Moroccans, they start off with beige colors, but later develop colors on their bands – which can be black, white, yellow or orange. Some become fully black. Bodies are mainly black, with colored stripes.
Flavifasciata are beautiful, but can be harder to find. Need same living conditions as other species.
Species #9: Uromastyx Dispar Maliensis
Maliensis uromastyx is similar to flavifasciata, however they lack bands on their backs. They start off with beige/brownish colors, and with age, develop mainly yellowish coloration on their back and tail.
Their bodies mainly become solid black, including the head. However, the beautiful contrast of colors makes them look spectacular. Some individuals (often females) might be beige or generally lighter in color. They also make great pets. Maliensis uromastyx reach 12-16 inches (30-40cm), with males being much larger.
Species #10: Uromastyx Acanthinura
Acanthinura are also called African uromastyx. They originate from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya. Previously, Moroccan uromastyx were also listed as subspecies of Acanthinura, but then were made a separate species.
Acanthinura is similar to Moroccan uromastyx – however they develop less coloration with age – they also don’t develop any red, green or bright yellow coloration. They also reach 16-17 inches (40-43cm), making them large uromastyx. African uromastyx make good pets, but some individuals can take longer to become tame.
Species #11: Uromastyx alfredschmidti
Uromastyx alfredschmidti, also called Schmidt’s Spiny-tailed lizard, mainly populate southwest Libya and southeastern Algeria. This species is very genetically similar to U. geyri, but are different due to body morphological differences.
Alfredschmidti have larger triangular pores on the sides on their body, between the belly and hips. They also develop darker colors. Can be hard to find as pets, as are vulnerable in the wild.
Species #12: Uromastyx geyri
Uromastyx geyri come from Nigeria, Mali and Niger. Geyri reach around 10-14 inches as adults, making them smaller species of uromastyx. Both males and females reach similar size.
Males develop more vibrant color with age, but females are also vibrant. They develop orange or citrus coloration, along with black lines and specs around the body.
Uromastyx geyri tend to climb less than other species, but still need some climbing spots, especially as juveniles. They make great pets, often become very docile and are generally not hard to find. However, please try to always choose captive bred individuals unless you are an experienced keeper.
Species #13: Aegyptia (Egyptian)
Egyptian uromastyx inhabit Egyptian deserts, but also Libya, Israel, Palestine. They are also the largest species of uromastyx, reaching up to 30-36 inches (75-91cm) in length and can weigh around 1.5-1.8kg! Despite their big size, they are curious, very kind and calm creatures.
Egyptian uromastyx make great pets, but you will need to provide it with a larger cage than other uromastyx species due to the size. 1 adult Egyptian uromastyx will be comfortable in a 6 feet (182cm) long, 22-30 inches (56-76cm) high and 22-30 inches wide (56-76cm) tank/enclosure.
Egyptian uromastyx don’t like to climb much or at all, so make need a lot of floor space with some low branches or stones for clambering and basking.
Egyptian uromastyx don’t develop much coloration, and stay mainly beige to brown in color. They also have a lot small scales on their back, and a yellowish belly.
However, their size is a great factor, making them look like mini dinosaurs, as well as their good temperament. While captive bred individuals are available, they are becoming more and more vulnerable in the wild, which is bad news.
Species #14: Uromastyx Microlepis (Arabian)
Uromastyx microlepis also belong to to the group of Aegyptia (Egyptian) uromastyx. They inhabit most of the Arabia – including Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but also Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan.
Similarly to Egyptians, they become very big and reach around 30 inches (75cm) long, sometimes more, and weigh around 1.5-1.6 kg!
Coloration of u. microlepis is similar to Egyptians, but also features more yellow, as well as some stripes in juveniles. Adults become uniformly tan/brown/cream and yellow colored.
In the wild, they live in very harsh and hot conditions and need high basking temperatures of around 131 F (55 C). More floor area than climbing space is required. Microlepis uromastyx are also very friendly, similarly to Egyptians, but can be hard to find.
Species #15: Uromastyx Leptieni
U. leptieni also belong to the group of u. aegyptia, Egyptian uromastyx. They also reach similar sizes and adults weigh up to 2kg! U. leptieni inhabit UAE and Oman. They are very hard to find and not popular to keep as pets due to this fact.
Species #16: Uromastyx Macfadyeni (Somali)
Macfadyeni uromastyx have morphological similarities to ornates. They inhabit mainly Somalia. They are the smallest species of uromastyx, reaching only 8-9 inches (20-23cm).
Even though Macfadyeni uromastyx are small species, and start off with simple beige colors, they develop into beautiful and colorful adults. Most are mainly turquoise/blue with yellow spots on the back and belly. They also have a rather long tail with sharp spikes.
They make good pets, but most need time to get used to their owners, and can be harder to find for sale. Need same living conditions as other uromastyx species. However, they need a lot of climbing spots as they are very active species.
Species #17: Uromastyx Princeps
Uromastyx princeps are also smaller species of uromastyx that reach around 10 inches (27cm) long. Similarly to u.thomasi, they have a short tail, but not its as flat. Their tail also has large spikes and they lack femoral and preanal pores.
U.princeps start off with beige colors, but develop some yellowish/bluish/beige coloration with age. Their tails develop some yellow or red coloration. Males also become more colorful than females, developing extra coloration on their bellies with age. They can make good pets, but are harder to find.
Species #18: Uromastyx Occidentalis
Uromastyx occidentalis come from Western Sahara and is thought to be related to the group of Egyptian uromastyx. There has not been too much research done on them, and they are not available as pets.
Species #19: Uromastyx Philbyi (Arabian)
U. philbyi is also called Arabian uromastyx. They are directly linked to u.ornata, thus also u.ocellata. However, u.philbyi are much smaller than ornates, and reach only 12-13 inches (30-33cm).
Similarly to ornates, they develop stunning colors, such as blue, red and green. Males become more colorful with age. They can make great pets, as are friendly and active, but can be harder to find.
Species #20: Uromastyx Saara Hardwicki (mainly India)
Uromastyx hardwicki is the species of uromastyx originating from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. This Saara genus overlaps with uromastyx. They have smaller heads than most uromastyx, their tail spikes are much smaller and not as sharp. They get quite large (around 17-18 inches, or 43-46cm). However, they are rare in captivity.
Species #21: Saara Asmussi (Iran)
Asmussi are similar to u.saara hardwicki, but come from Iran. They also get quite large and most develop some red/orange/yellow coloration and red scales on their tails. Asmussi are hard to find, so you won’t be able to keep it as a a pet.
Species #22: Uromastyx Saara Loricata (Iraq)
Belonging to the same Saara group, loricata get to the similar size, but originate from hot areas in Iraq. Loricata also develop some red coloration and can have a scaly appearance. In fact, their bodies are covered in small scales and is not smooth. They are very hard to find for sale.
What is the best species of uromastyx to keep as pets?
- Ornata
- Ocellata
- Egyptian
- Moroccan
- Geyri
- Malinesis
- Thomasi
- Yemenensis
These are the best species of uromastyx to keep, because they are easier to find for sale or rehoming. Some species, such as Moroccan, benti or African (Acanthinura, which are also becoming vulnerable) are mainly found as captive breds.
That’s because the countries they originate from have prohibited or lifted the limit on their export. All species can make great pets and are unique in their own ways, but not all are bred and kept as pets.
Captive bred individuals are better to keep as pets, as are less likely to carry parasites and have a higher chance to survive and become docile.
All uromastyx species are amazing and can make great pets, with some requiring more work as they are naturally shy. Unfortunately, many specimens sold on the market are wild caughts, which makes it more challenging for pets to acclimatize and become tame.
So whenever possible, get species that are being captive bred in your country, or prepare for the responsibility of checking the health of your wild caught captive and probably spending more time taming it.
But this will depend on each individual, some wild caughts might have had time to acclimatize to captivity and their health checked before going on sale. Just make sure to research before making any decisions.
If you are planning to get a uromastyx pet, you will benefit from care guides on this page.