Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been thinking about branching out from varanids and getting a few species of Uromastyx. Yesterday an opportunity to do so presented itself. I received this from a friend of mine and now I need to be sure what it is. It was sold as a banded uromastyx (U. flavofasciata), but I've heard that there are some U. maliensis that are banded and even naturally occurring hybrids. So can anyone tell me if this is truly a banded uro? Also, just saying one or the other doesn't mean as much as the "why." So if you have an opinion on the species, let me know why you think it is or isn't a U. flavofasciata. If the pics can't offer any insight, then direction toward species description papers would help. Before anyone says anything, I realize he is a bit husky and his nails need some help. His new cage and diet will take care of that.

definitely looks banded to me...but go to www.deerfernfarms.com and look at the example pics to be sure.... the guy who runs that site can help you too im sure.

I sent him a message, so hopefully he'll chime in as well. I'm pretty sure it is a banded too. I found the pics of the banded Malis and they are nothing like this guy. He is almost black and white when he is freshly shed and all warmed up.

It looks like a Banded Uromastyx. I don't believe adult Mali Uromastyx ever show any white coloration on their backs. In male Malis It's usually some shade of yellow. Also, unless they're melanistic and show no pattern at all, Mali Uromastyx should have some ocelli or spotting on their backs. At any rate it's a beautiful and healthy looking Uromastyx you've got there.

Here's a picture of my adult male Banded, who along with his mate, produced 13 young for me this year.