Ornate Spiny-tailed Lizard (female)

Description:

female basking in the sun, in her usual spot

Habitat:

spotted basking in the sun in a coastal desert wadi

Notes:

The ornate spiny-tailed lizard is not currently thought to be under threat in Egypt due to its remote and inhospitable habitat. However, its numbers are surprisingly low there compared to parts of Israel. Due to their large size and bright colouration, Uromastyx species have been traded as pets for many years, and have also been captured for food and for use in traditional medicines. This is likely to present the most significant threat to their wild populations . Although trade restrictions are now in place for the ornate spiny-tailed lizard, there is still the possibility of illegal trade. (Since 1991, it has been illegal to export the ornate spiny-tailed lizard out of Egypt.) ~ARKive