Spiny-tailed Lizard
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Reptiles (Reptilia)
- Dietary Niche: Herbivore (Desert seeds, dried grasses, flowers, cacti)
- Max Speed: 12 km/h (7 mph)
- Adult Weight: 250 - 500 grams
- Typical Lifespan: 15 - 25 years
- Primary Habitat: Arid rocky plateaus, gravel deserts, stony mountain foothills
- Native Region: North Africa (Sahara Desert)
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Agamidae |
| Genus | Uromastyx |
| Species Binomial | Uromastyx geyri |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Spiny-tailed Lizard, or Uromastyx, is a tough desert reptile. Equipped with a heavy tail covered in sharp muscular spikes, they wedge themselves inside rock crevices and use their spiky tail to block intruders.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Heavy flattened body, bright yellow or orange skin, broad head, and a thick tail covered in heavy pointed spikes.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Diurnal desert dwellers. They bask on hot rocks and burrow under boulders.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Herbivorous grazers that extract water from tough desert seeds and cacti.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Females lay 10-20 eggs in burrows, which hatch after 2-3 months.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Least Concern, though collected locally for pet markets.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- When threatened, they crawl into rock crevices head-first and lash their heavy, spiked tail back and forth like a club.
- Uromastyx do not need to drink standing water, obtaining all moisture from the dry seeds and leaves they eat.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Spiny-tailed Lizard.
The Spiny-tailed Lizard is scientifically classified as Uromastyx geyri. It belongs to the genus Uromastyx within the family Agamidae, class Reptilia, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Spiny-tailed Lizards inhabit Arid rocky plateaus, gravel deserts, stony mountain foothills. Their native geographic range primarily spans North Africa (Sahara Desert).
The Spiny-tailed Lizard is classified as a Herbivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Arid rocky plateaus, gravel deserts, stony mountain foothills.
A Spiny-tailed Lizard can achieve top speeds of 12 km/h (7 mph) and weighs approximately 250 - 500 grams. Its expected natural lifespan is 15 - 25 years.
The Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx geyri) is currently designated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx geyri) Species Profile."
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