Buyer question
Are Saharan uromastyx good for beginners?
It can be: our Animal Library rates the Saharan uromastyx 3 out of 5 for beginners (good if heat is right).
Source: the Saharan uromastyx page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Saharan uromastyx in the Animal Library
The detail
The Saharan uromastyx, also sold as Geyr's or red Niger, is a compact desert lizard that comes in red and yellow colour forms. It is increasingly captive-bred, but imports still turn up, so a hatch record matters.
- Best fit
- Keepers wanting a small uromastyx
- Handling
- 3 out of 5 (Calm once settled)
- Setup complexity
- 4 out of 5 (Intense heat and UVB)
- Feeding ease
- 4 out of 5 (Greens, seeds, lentils)
What to weigh
Colour depends on the animal and on heat and age, so a hatchling may not show its adult colour. Needs very high basking heat and strong UVB.