How to Care for an Egyptian Lizard

The Egyptian lizard, called the Egyptian Uromastyx, is a spiny-tailed lizard that originated in the Sahara desert and in the dry, hot climates of Morroco. The natural habitat of the lizard includes hiding in rocky areas and bushes. Caring for an Egyptian lizard at home means recreating as much of its environment as possible.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium tank
  • Sand or gravel
  • Heat lamp
  • Thermometer
  • Hide box
  • Vegetables
  • Turtle food
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Instructions

    • 1

      House your Egyptian lizard in an appropriately sized enclosure due to its large size. The reptiles can grow to 30 inches in length. Full-grown lizards require a 6-foot-by-3-foot glass tank; younger animals can live in a 30-gallon aquarium tank. The sides of the tank should measure at least 18 inches high.

    • 2

      Fill the bottom 8 inches of the tank with gravel, sand or newspaper strips to allow the Egyptian lizard to dig. The substrate should not be large enough that the lizard becomes stuck underneath individual pebbles or rocks.

    • 3

      Place a hide box in the tank. A hide box is a structure, open on one end, that allows the lizard to retreat from the light and heat when needed.

    • 4

      Keep Uromastyx aegyptius warm. The species' natural habitat is the hot desert. Heat the reptile's living space with a heat lamp set to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Egyptian lizard's nighttime environment should drop to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit; set the heat lamp on for 12-hour intervals.

    • 5

      Feed your Egyptian lizard daily. The animal is vegetarian and can eat a mixture of carrots, greens, squash, peas, beans, corn, turtle pellets and birdseed. Change the offerings weekly to provide variety. Egyptian lizards do not require drinking water, but may enjoy taking a bath in a shallow water bowl on occasion.