# North African Spiny-tailed Lizard (*Uromastyx acanthinura*) The North African Spiny-tailed Lizard is a colorful lizard that loves warm, sunny places. It has a spiky tail that helps it dig and stay safe from predators. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert ![North African Spiny-tailed Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Nordafrikanischedornschwanzagame-02.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nordafrikanischedornschwanzagame-02.jpg) ## Appearance The North African Spiny-tailed Lizard is a stocky reptile with a flattened body, covered in rough, yellowish-brown scales that offer excellent camouflage against desert rocks. Its most distinctive feature is a heavy, muscular tail armed with rows of sharp, spiky scales, making it look quite formidable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Agamidae - **Genus:** Uromastyx ## Interesting facts - Their skin can change color to help them warm up faster or cool down. - These lizards have special salt glands that help them "sneeze out" extra salt! - They often use their spiky tails to block burrow entrances from predators. - They puff up their bodies with air to look huge and scare away enemies! ## Special abilities - **Spiky Shield Tail:** The North African Spiny-tailed Lizard can swing its powerful, spike-covered tail as a shield to deter predators, making it hard to attack. - **Desert Architect:** North African Spiny-tailed Lizards can dig deep burrows to escape extreme desert heat or cold, creating their own comfortable homes. - **Water Saver:** North African Spiny-tailed Lizards get vital water from plants they eat, because their efficient kidneys minimize water loss. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 25-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-1 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-25 - **Incubation:** 60-80 days ## Diet & Feeding Mostly eats desert plants like leaves, flowers, and seeds, occasionally snacking on insects. - **Age differences:** Young lizards might eat more insects for protein, becoming almost exclusively plant-eaters as adults. - **Primary Foods:** leaves, flowers, seeds, desert grasses, fruits, beetles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Fennec Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fennec-fox) (*Vulpes zerda*) — Fennec foxes are known predators of desert reptiles. - **Eaten by:** Desert Monitor (*Varanus griseus*) — Large desert monitors can prey on adult and juvenile lizards. - **Eats:** Umbrella Thorn Acacia (*Vachellia tortilis*) — Lizards feed on the leaves and seeds of desert acacia trees. - **Eats:** Desert Cabbage (*Zilla spinosa*) — A common desert plant that provides food and hydration. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don’t try to touch wild lizards. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North African Spiny-tailed Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is North African Spiny-tailed Lizard? 25-45 cm ### How much does North African Spiny-tailed Lizard weigh? 0.2-1 kg ### How long does North African Spiny-tailed Lizard live? 15-25 years ### How fast can North African Spiny-tailed Lizard move? 25 km/h ### What does North African Spiny-tailed Lizard eat? Mostly eats desert plants like leaves, flowers, and seeds, occasionally snacking on insects. ### Where is North African Spiny-tailed Lizard usually found? Desert ### How does North African Spiny-tailed Lizard hunt? Foraging ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [North African Spiny-tailed Lizard Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-african-spiny-tailed-lizard)