orange and black spiny tailed lizard head
Deserts

Mali Spiny-Tailed Lizard

Uromastyx maliensis

About

There are many kinds of spiny-tailed lizards, including this species from the country of Mali in northwestern Africa. Sometimes called by their scientific name, Uromastyx, they get their common name from the whorled pattern of scales on their tail. They’re well adapted to life in the desert. They’re active during the day, but they use underground burrows for shelter, sleeping and breeding. Females lay up to 20 eggs in a burrow. The eggs hatch in 2 to 3 months, but the hatchlings stay underground for several more months. Adults can reach more than a foot in length and live up to 25 years.

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Size
14 inches long and 1 pound in weight
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Live in
Mali and northern Africa
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Food
Various vegetation, invertebrates
IUCN Red List Status
Least Concern
Mali spiny-tailed lizard

Conservation

Mali spiny-tailed lizards live in fragmented habitats and are sometimes collected as pets, food and medicine. Scientists want to learn more about them in the wild, and especially how they may be impacted by climate change. Always do your research before adopting a new pet to make sure it doesn’t harm wild populations.

WHERE ARE THEY AT THE ZOO?

cropped zoo map showing chimpanzee location