The Shy Desert Engineer: Meet the Spiny-tailed Lizard

Tucked beneath the sunbaked sands of Abu Dhabi’s deserts lives one of the region’s most fascinating and underrated creatures: the Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia). Native to the Middle East and North Africa, this herbivorous reptile is not only a master of desert survival but also a vital player in maintaining the fragile desert ecosystem.

Known locally for their love of open, shrub-covered sand sheets, these lizards thrive in terrains that let them dig their signature burrows medium-sized, doughnut-shaped hideouts that blend so well into the desert, you'd likely miss them at first glance. These burrows aren’t just homes; they’re desert real estate. Other species also find shelter here, making the Spiny-tailed Lizard a true ecological engineer.

During the scorching summer months, they can be spotted basking in the soft morning or evening light near their burrow entrances, nibbling on desert vegetation. But don’t be fooled by their calm demeanour they’re extremely shy. At the slightest sign of disturbance, they dart into their burrows. And if captured, they’ll use their namesake weapon “the spiny tail” accompanied by a sharp hiss. If all else fails, they resort to a clever bit of drama: playing dead.

But there's a troubling side to their story. Due to rapid development and habitat loss, the Spiny-tailed Lizard is now classified as vulnerable globally, with a staggering 30% population decline reported in Abu Dhabi over the past 45 years. Recognizing the danger, the UAE has stepped in Federal Law 24 of 1999 protects these reptiles, strictly prohibiting their capture or harm. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) actively monitors conservation and relocation efforts to safeguard their future. There are many mitigation-driven relocation projects underway, one of which saw NEA step in to rescue over 400 of these “cute pies” from being run over by earth movers, giving them a second chance in safer habitats.

So, the next time you head out for a dune-bashing adventure, take a moment to watc

h where you tread. Those mysterious little holes in the sand? They just might belong to the desert’s shyest guardian, helping our arid ecosystems stay alive one burrow at a time.