Uromastyx enclosure size and setup

Uromastyx at a glance

Minimum enclosure

48 × 24 × 24 inches122 × 61 × 61 cm, about 120 gallons

Warm side

120-130°Fbasking surface

Cool side

80-85°F

Humidity

Under 35%

UVB

Zone 3 to 4

Group

Lizards

A true heat lover. Basking numbers are surface temperatures, read with a temp gun. A stacked-rock basking platform lets it pick its own heat.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a uromastyx need?

At least 48 × 24 × 24 inches (122 × 61 × 61 cm) for one adult, about 120 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a uromastyx enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 120-130°F and a cool side of 80-85°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. The warm figure is a surface temperature on the basking spot, measured with a temp gun. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a uromastyx need?

Under 35%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a uromastyx need UVB?

Yes, Zone 3 to 4, which runs from strong UVB, for regular sun baskers to very strong UVB, for full-sun baskers. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult uromastyx?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your uromastyx

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles