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Scientific name: ''Uromastyx'' sp., approximately 13 species.

Scientific name: ''Uromastyx'' sp., approximately 13 species.

Other common names: Uromastyx, mastigure, dab lizards.

Other common names: Uromastyx, mastigure, dab lizards.

[[Image:Egyptian_spiny_tail_lizard.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (''Uromastyx aegyptius'') at Bristol Zoo''' (Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[Image:Egyptian_spiny_tail_lizard.jpg|300px|thumb|right|'''Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (''Uromastyx aegyptius'') at Bristol Zoo''' (Photo credit: Adrian Pingstone)]]

==Description==

==Description==

Spiny-tailed lizards are diurnal and terrestrial. Adults reach 60cm (up to 75cm some spp.). Uromastyx are large, flattened, heavy-bodied lizards. They have a club-like spiny tail with which they readily defend themselves. The head, blunt-snouted, looks rather like that of a tortoise. They are generally brown/olive in colour but coloration can be variable between and within species. Uromastyx may also change colour according to their body temperature; they emerge from their burrows with a dark colouring that becomes light as they warm up. Such warming also produces bright species-specific lateral coloration from pale green to intense orange. Uromastyx aegypticus and Uromastyx hardwicki are usually dark to light brown. Uromastyx acanthinurus can be yellow, green, bright orange or a combination of these colours. Uromastyx ornatus are sexually dimorphic with adult males being green or blue green with blotches of yellows and oranges. Females have more subtle yellows, browns, and some orange.

Spiny-tailed lizards are diurnal and terrestrial. Adults reach 60cm (up to 75cm some spp.). Uromastyx are large, flattened, heavy-bodied lizards. They have a club-like spiny tail with which they readily defend themselves. The head, blunt-snouted, looks rather like that of a tortoise. They are generally brown/olive in colour but coloration can be variable between and within species. Uromastyx may also change colour according to their body temperature; they emerge from their burrows with a dark colouring that becomes light as they warm up. Such warming also produces bright species-specific lateral coloration from pale green to intense orange. ''Uromastyx aegypticus'' and ''Uromastyx hardwicki'' are usually dark to light brown. ''Uromastyx acanthinurus'' can be yellow, green, bright orange or a combination of these colours. ''Uromastyx ornatus'' are sexually dimorphic with adult males being green or blue green with blotches of yellows and oranges. Females have more subtle yellows, browns, and some orange.

Adult males of these species usually have larger [[Lizard Reproductive System|femoral pores]], larger heads with larger jowls and a larger cloacal opening. They are easier to distinguish in the spring when hemi-penal swellings may be evident in the males. Uromastyx ornatus are the easiest to sex due to males having enlarged femoral pores and being more colourful than females. Uromastyx acanthinurus can be extremely difficult to sex.

Adult males of these species usually have larger [[Lizard Reproductive System|femoral pores]], larger heads with larger jowls and a larger [[Cloaca|cloacal]] opening. They are easier to distinguish in the spring when [[Hemipenes|hemipenal]] swellings may be evident in the males. Uromastyx ornatus are the easiest to sex due to males having enlarged [[Femoral pores|femoral pores]] and being more colourful than females. ''Uromastyx acanthinurus'' can be extremely difficult to [[Lizard Physical Examination|sex]].

==Range==

==Range==