Uromastyx geyri

Taxobox
name = "Uromastyx geyri"


image_width = 250px
image_caption = Saharan Uromastyx, "Uromastyx geyri"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Agamidae
subfamilia = Leiolepidinae
genus = "Uromastyx"
species = "U. geyri"
binomial = "Uromastyx geyri"
binomial_authority = Müller, 1922

"Uromastyx geyri", commonly known as the Saharan Uromastyx, Saharan Spiny-tailed Lizard or Geyr's Dabb Lizard, is a species of lizard belonging to the family Agamidae. It is found in rocky, semi-arid habitats in North Africa, its range including parts of Algeria, Mali and Niger.

Taxonomy

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

Description

This is a small, slender species for the genus, with an average length of around 34 cm. This lizard is usually beige or orange with lighter spots. They are one of the brightest colored species of "Uromastyx", colors of this genus are the "Red" geyri and "Yellow" geyri, color being their only difference. The red phase often being nearly solid reddish to neon pumpkin orange with the yellow in or near a neon-range. Females are a more pale color than the males, showing more tan variations of the coloring and much less belly coloring as well as less vivid patterns, most females having a simple "freckling" on the back. Saharans are a medium sized species, many averaging 11"-14" in length, and weighing 250+ grams as adults.

Distribution

These herbevores are native to the Saharan desert in Northern Africa. They bask in temperatures up to convert|130|°F|°C.This is considered to be an uncommon species but its extensive range means the population is probably large enough to sustain the current level of collection of specimens for the pet trade (the species is fairly popular as a pet, mainly in the United States, Europe and Japan).

External links

* [http://www.cites.org/eng/com/aC/22/E22-10-2-A6d.pdf CITES report on "Uromastyx geyri"]
* [http://www.aqua-terra-vita.com/SaharanUromastyxWP/Care.html Caring for your Saharan Uromastyx "Uromastyx geyri"]