Daily activity pattern and diet of a population of the Spinytailed Lizard,<i>Uromastyx aegyptius microlepis</i>, during summer in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Abstract A study of 20 Uromastyx aegyptius microlepis individuals during May and June 1999 in the United Arab Emirates, indicate that they are diurnal and emerge early in the morning with ambient temperatures around 30°C. Most time (% daylight hours) above ground is spent basking (13.8%), followed by foraging (4.6%) and then den clearing (0.4%). Individuals retreat underground for most of the day (81.2%) with only 18.8% of daylight hours spent on above ground activities. The lizard’s retreat underground with ambient temperatures around 40°C. Pennisetum divisum and Stipagrostis plumosa are extensively utilised by U. a. microlepis. A faecal analysis indicates the lack of insects in the diet, with only 1.2% of pellets containing insect remains.