Bearded dragons and uromastyx lizards are both reptiles of the Agamidae family. Although they’re both types of iguanas, they are very different.
Uromastyx or bearded dragon, which will be the best pet lizard for you?
In this article, we will be comparing these pets in every category so you can choose your perfect pet.
Key Takeaway:
Bearded dragons grow to 20 to 24 inches long, they are omnivores you must feed them live insects and leafy greens. Its basking spot must reach 104 to 107°F. Uromastyx grows between 10 and 30 inches long. They are herbivores. The basking spot for this pet lizard must be between 110 to 120°F.
Bearded dragon vs uromastyx, which has the better personality, is easier to feed, and is more docile?
You’ll find even more details on how these pets differ in the full comparison below.
Table of Contents
Uromastyx vs Bearded Dragon
Not sure whether uromastyx or bearded dragons are the right lizards for you?
Then check out our full comparison of the two that will help you pick your favorite.
Other Names
Bearded dragons are often called beardies because the color under their chins turns black or puffs up when they feel certain emotions. The official name of the genus, however, is pogona.
The uromastyx is also called a spiny-tailed lizard because it has spikes on its tail.
Bearded dragons are called beardies, whereas uromastyx are called spiny-tailed lizards.
Size
Male bearded dragons grow up to 24 inches long. The females are slightly smaller and reach lengths of up to 20 inches long.
But some sizing exceptions include the German beardie, which was bred to grow up to 28 inches.
There are lots of variations in the sizes of uromastyx depending on their species.
The Egyptian uromastyx, for example, is one of the largest species. The males measure up to 30 inches in length.
Among the smaller uromastyx are uromastyx macfadyeni. These measure just 10 inches long.
If you want a small lizard, choose from the smaller uromastyx species such as uromastyx macfadyeni.
Food
Bearded dragons are omnivores and also eat a lot of leafy greens. But besides the plant matter, they also consume a lot of live insects such as crickets and locusts.
Uromastyx lizards are mostly herbivorous. A big part of this lizard’s diet consists of leafy greens.
Besides vegetables, they also consume legumes and seeds. They eat fruit in very small quantities.
In the wild, you may find them eating other small lizards on occasion.
Uromastyx are herbivores whereas bearded dragons are omnivores.
Enclosure Cool End Temperatures
Both beardies and uromastyx need a cool end in their enclosures.
On this side, beardies need the temperature to stay between 71 and 77°F.
Uromastyx likes it between 80 and 85°F on the cool side of their enclosures.
Uromastyx needs colder temperatures on the cool side of their tanks.
Enclosure Basking Spot
Captive bearded dragons must spend enough time each day in their basking spots. The temperature at the basking spot must reach 104 to 107°F.
Uromastyx reptiles like their basking temperatures even hotter. Keep their basking spots between 110 and 120°F.
Uromastyx needs hotter basking temperatures than beardies.
Enclosure Humidity
These animals have different humidity requirements. The beardie likes a more humid environment at around 30 to 40%.
Uromastyx likes the humidity levels to be between 10 and 25%. Although this reptile generally likes the air to be more dry, it does need to have a humid hide.
The humidity in the hide must be about 40%.
Because their heat and humidity requirements are so different, you must not keep a uromastyx and a bearded dragon together in the same tank.
Bearded dragons need a more humid environment.
Origin
You will find beardies in the deserts and forests of Australia and southeast Asia.
Uromastyx originate from northern Africa and the Middle East.
Bearded dragons are normally easier to get hold of because they have a wider range in the wild.
Classification
The beardie is a reptile of the Agamidae family and the pogona genus. It is a type of iguana.
There are 6 recognized species of this reptile alive today.
Uromastyx is also a reptile of the Agamidae family but of the uromastyx genus. It is a type of iguana.
There are 15 recognized species of this reptile alive today.
Both bearded dragons and uromastyx are types of iguanas.
Popular Pets
Beardies are some of the most popular lizard pets in captivity. The most common species in captivity is the Inland (or Central) beardie.
Uromastyx, are not very popular pets. This is because a lot of people are not sure how to look after them.
Wild caught uromastyx often die or don’t live as long as they could because of poor husbandry.
Bearded dragons are the most popular pet lizards in the US.
Activity
Both of these pet reptiles are diurnal. This means they are most active during the day.
Many owners prefer these pets to those that are nocturnal, as they are more entertaining to watch.
Handling
Most lizards are quite skittish when you first begin handling them. But if you are consistent, they can get used to the touch of their owners and calm down, even becoming quite docile and tame.
Since these are cold-blooded animals, you must not handle them for longer than 10 minutes, as their body temperatures will soon cool down. If the lizard’s core temperature plummets too low, it might struggle to get warm again.
The beardie tends to be rather tame. But if your lizard tries to bite you when you attempt to handle it, you must leave it for another time.
Uromastyx do not need human companionship, but some will become more docile if you get into a routine of handling them regularly for short periods.
But some will stay skittish and will never calm down. How your reptile reacts to handling depends on its individual personality.
As a rule of thumb, though, it is better to begin handling the reptiles while they are babies so they can learn to start trusting you from an early age.
Both of these lizards often become used to handling if you spend time with them regularly.
Growth
A baby bearded dragon will grow between 1 to 3 inches per month while it is between 3 months and 11 months old. Most will stop growing at around 12 months old.
This reptile becomes an adult when it reaches 12 months old.
Uromastyx lizards take a lot longer to grow. They take between 3 to 5 years to reach their full adult size.
Some species will grow until they are 9 years old. The baby will become an adult at about 3 years old.
Uromastyx are adults at 3 years old whereas bearded dragons become adults at 12 months old.
Tank Sharing
Bearded dragons do much better when you house them alone. When they are in the same enclosure with other lizards or animals, they often kill the smaller ones.
Females do not get on well together, and males fight when they are together. They are known to bite the tail or toes off of another dragon.
Keeping pet reptiles of the same sex together is not a good idea because they will mate.
Uromastyx males are often aggressive towards one another, but the females get along better. Housing one pet male with one or more females is usually successful.
Each uromastyx has a different personality, so it is best to keep the lizards separate whenever possible.
You must never keep a pet uromastyx and bearded dragon in the same tank.
If you want more than one pet, choose uromastyx.
Bearded Dragons or a Spiny Tailed Lizard?
So, what’s the verdict? Bearded dragon vs uromastyx, which is the right lizard for you?
Choose bearded dragons if:
- You want a larger lizard
- You want a pet that is an omnivore
- You want a lizard that is a popular pet and easy to get hold of
- You want an animal that will grow quickly
Choose uromastyx if:
- You only have space for a small lizard
- You want a pet that is an herbivore
- You want a pet that will not grow as quickly
- You want more than one lizard
Did you find this article interesting?
At Oddly Cute Pets, we always strive to provide you with quality articles about tortoises, lizards, snakes, and other awesome pets. For more information on the best food, and housing, and how to keep on the watch for abnormal and normal behaviors from your pet, check out the related post(s) on our website.
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