Yemeni Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx benti)

Yemeni Spiny-tailed Lizard Uromastyx benti
Name	Yemeni Spiny-tailed Lizard
Name Lat.	Uromastyx benti
Family	Agamas
Family lat.	Agamidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Arabian Peninsula
Habitat	Desert
Diet	Plant matter, fruits, insects
Humidity	40-60 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	40 cm
Temperature	30-45 °C
Temperature Local	50 °C
Housing Size	140 x 90 x 80 cm
US Units
Size	16"
Temperature	86-113 °F
Temperature Local	122 °F
Housing Size	55" x 35" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal Yemen thorn-tailed dragons are common in Yemen and Oman. There they live in the stony deserts and semi-deserts and retreat at night, but also during the day for thermoregulation in self-dug caves or in rock crevices.

Maintenance

The data are the minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals:

1-2 animals

5KRL x 4KRL x 3KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. L 140 x W 90 x H 80 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a well structured terrarium with stones and cemented rock structures with crevices (hiding places) and sunning places. As a substrate, locally warmed with a bottom heater, a 30 cm deep sand-loam mixture is suitable, in which they can make burrows. The bottom layer of soil should be kept slightly moist in places. A firmly anchored water container and an easy-to-clean feeding station, as well as potted dry grasses and succulents for decoration that cannot be reached by the animals, complete the setup. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water, a sprinkler system is better.

Temp. day: 30-45 °C

Temp. night: 20-25 °C

Temp. local: up to 50 °C

Humidity: 40-60

The lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. They need a high light intensity. Special lamps with high UV-A and UV-B content are ideal for the essential UV irradiation.

Diet

They need mainly plant food, such as various flowers (dandelion, evening primrose, clover, daisies), wild herbs (alfalfa, cress, mallow, parsley), vegetables (lettuce, peppers, zucchini, cabbage), Fruit (pears, melons, bananas, grapes) as well as swollen corn, lentils and seeds, alternatively commercial food for herbivorous reptiles, plus occasional live insects, such as grasshoppers, crickets etc., which must be offered regularly, especially to young animals. It is important to add minerals and vitamins. Their preferred food can vary greatly both seasonally and individually. Food must be offered fresh daily, drinking water must always be available. A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The males usually have a broader head and a thicker tail root, where the hemipenis pockets are clearly visible. The female buries her eggs (6-11 pieces) in the substrate. The incubation period is more than 110 days at a temperature of 30 °C. Small insects as well as finely cut fruit and meadow flowers are suitable as initial food for the young.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported.

Species protection: WA Annex II; EU Annex B The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

Adult males behave very territorially among themselves. The muscular tail, covered with spiny scales, with which they close their burrows and crevices, serves them for defense and as a fat store

They need up to 50 °C warm sunny places (spotlights) and a strong temperature reduction at night (room temperature). For the necessary hibernation, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours for 1-2 months and the temperature is slowly lowered by 15 °C

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; BAUR, FRIZ, GANSLOSSER, HARTIG, HÄRTL, LANTERMANN, TÜRBL (2009): Wildtierhaltung in kleineren zoologischen Einrichtungen, Band 2, Filander Verlag; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF