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Genus of lizards

Uromastyx is a genus of African and Asian lizards in the family Agamidae. Member species are commonly called spiny tailed lizards, uromastyces, mastigures, or dabb lizards. Lizards in the genus Uromastyx are primarily herbivorous, but occasionally eat insects and other small animals, especially young lizards. They spend most of their waking hours basking in the sun, hiding in underground chambers at daytime or when danger appears. They tend to establish themselves in hilly, rocky areas with good shelter and accessible vegetation.

The generic name Uromastyx is derived from the Ancient Greek words ourá (οὐρά) meaning "tail" and mastix (μάστιξ) meaning "whip" or "scourge", after the thick spiked tail characteristic of all Uromastyx species.

The following species are in the genus Uromastyx. Three additional species were formerly placed in this genus, but have been moved to their own genus, Saara. Image Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Uromastyx acanthinura North African mastigure, North African spiny tailed lizard Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Western Sahara, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Sudan Uromastyx aegyptia Egyptian mastigure, Egyptian spiny tailed lizard Egypt and the Middle East. Uromastyx alfredschmidti ebony mastigure, Schmidt's mastigure, Schmidt's spiny tailed lizardAlgeria and Libya. Uromastyx benti Bent's mastigure, Yemeni spiny tailed lizard Oman and Yemen. Uromastyx dispar Sudan mastigureMauritania, Sudan, Chad, Western Sahara, Algeria, and Mali. Uromastyx geyri Geyr's dabb lizard, Geyr's spiny tailed lizard, Sahara mastigure, Saharan spiny tailed lizard, Saharan yellow uromastyx, yellow Niger uromastyx Algeria, Mali, and Niger. Uromastyx macfadyeni Macfadyen's mastigure Somalia Uromastyx nigriventris Moroccan spiny tailed lizard Morocco and Algeria. Uromastyx occidentalis Western Sahara Uromastyx ocellata ocellated spinytail, eyed dabb lizard, ocellated uromastyx southern Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia (near the Somali border), and northwestern Somalia Uromastyx ornata ornate mastigure Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen Uromastyx princeps princely spiny tailed lizard, princely mastigure, Somalian mastigure Somalia, Ethiopia Uromastyx shobraki Yemen Uromastyx thomasi Omani spiny tailed lizard, Thomas's mastigure Oman Uromastyx yemenensis South Arabian spiny tailed lizardYemen

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a genus other than Uromastyx.

Uromastyx species range in size from for U. macfadyeni to or more for U. aegyptia. Hatchlings or neonates are usually no more than in length. Like many reptiles, these lizards' colors change according to the temperature and season. During cool weather they appear dull and dark, but the colors become lighter in warm weather, especially when basking. The darker pigmentation allows their skin to absorb sunlight more effectively. Their spiked tail is muscular and heavy, and is able to be swung at an attacker with great velocity, usually accompanied by hissing and an open mouthed display of (small) teeth.

Uromastyx inhabit a range stretching through most of North and Northeast Africa, the Middle East, ranging as far east as Iran. Species found further east are now placed in the genus Saara. Wild female Uromastyx are smaller and less colorful than males. For example, U. dispar maliensis females are often light tan with black dorsal spots, while males are mostly bright yellow with mottled black markings. Females also tend to have shorter claws. In captivity female U. dispar maliensis tend to mimic males in color. U. dispar maliensis are, therefore, reputably difficult to breed in captivity.

Uromastyx are removed from the wild in an unregulated manner for the pet and medicinal trade in Morocco, despite their protected status in the country; conditions of the animals while being sold is often extremely poor and overcrowding is common. Historically, captive Uromastyx had a poor survival rate, due to a lack of understanding of their dietary and environmental needs. In recent years, knowledge has significantly increased, and appropriate diet and care has led to survival rates and longevity approaching and perhaps surpassing those in the wild. With good care, they are capable of living for over 25 years, and possibly as old as 60.

U. dispar maliensis, known as "ḍabb" (ضَـبْ) by peninsular Arabs, is historically consumed as food by some of the Bedouin population of the Arabian peninsula, mainly those residing in the interior and eastern regions of Arabia. This lizard used to be considered an "Arabian delicacy". It is recorded that when an Uromastyx was brought to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by Bedouins, Muhammad did not eat the lizard, but Muslims were not prohibited by him from consuming it; thus Muhammad's companion Khalid bin Walid consumed the lizard. In Judaism, this lizard is traditionally identified as the biblical tzav, one of the eight "creeping" animals forbidden for consumption that impart ritual impurity. The Torah states: “The following shall be impure for you among the creeping animals that swarm upon the earth: The weasel, and the mouse, and the dab lizard (tzav) of every variety; and the gecko, and the land crocodile, and the lizard, and the skink, and the chameleon” (Leviticus 11:29 30).