Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard

Scientific Name: Uromastyx aegyptia

Found In: Egypt (east of the Nile), eastwards into the southern half of Israel, south and northeastern Jordan, southern Syria, Iraq and Iran and southwards into the Arabian Peninsula.

Size: Adults average 10-36 inches long.

Diet: Herbivore. Eats greens and vegetables but known to eat insects during droughts when no other food is available.

Threat Level: Vulnerable – This species has been regularly reported in the international pet and medicinal trade and is also used for food.

Fun Fact: Uromastyx comes from an Ancient Greek word meaning tail-whip or tail-scourge, because of the thick, spiked tail found in all uromastyx species.