Common Name: Mali Uromastyx

Scientific Name: Uromastyx maliensis

Food: mainly vegetables, birdseed benefit greatly when bird seed, finch or parakeet mix is sprinkled over every other meal mix (This will aid in digestion) even a bit of Timothy hay, may be offered. Mustard, Collard, Radish, Turnip greens or clover, legumes, mulberry and grape leaves, roses, hibiscus, Peas, squash, and cauliflower may all make good vegetable choices, as well as frozen mixed vegetables. nasturtiums, carnation flowers, cured alfalfa and soaked alfalfa pellets, peas, corn, lima beans, carrots, green beans, peas in the pod, cauliflower, soy bean sprouts, jicama, radishes, summer and winter squashes, grapes, apples, oranges, pear, prickly pear fruit, peaches, plums, nectarines, dates, all types of melons, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. A variety of fruits may also be offered, but the dietary ratio should consist of about 4 vegetable servings to 1 fruit serving. Uromastyx may accept crickets as an occasional, high protein treats. Red fruits are great for shy eaters as lizards are naturally attracted to the color red.

Distribution: Mali

Habitat: Mali Uromastyx live in hot, dry, desert environments

Color Discription: Black heads and tails. Their front feet are gold in color, and usually they show gold markings over their backs. Females are brownish in color, and have flecks of black on their bodies.

Physical Discription:

Size: 12" - 16"

Temperatures: 75º F - 90º F, nighttime temperature 68º F - 75º F. And a basking temp. of 115º F - 125º F.

Breeding/Reproduction: Males are larger and have different coloration than females. Generally, males are sexually mature by the time they are 12" in length. The females can be bred when they are 10" long.

Cage Setup: fairly dry 35 to 50 gallon terrarium and have hiding place in both the warm and cool areas.

Water: The humidity for these desert lizards should be kept very low.

Special Needs: An undertank heater should be placed on the same end of the tank as the basking lamp.