Sandfish 沙魚
Scientific Name : Scincus scincus
Origin : Egypt & Arabia
Adult Size : to about 6"
Life Span : 6-10 years, perhaps longer
The Sandfish (Scincus scincus) is a species of skink that burrows into the sand and swims through it. It is native to North Africa but, despite the fact that they are apt to be secretive, sandfish are immensely popular in the reptile hobby. With some care they are hardy and long lived.
The name sandfish originated because of its ability to move through sand as if it were swimming. Adult sandfish usually reach about 8 inches
(20 centimeters) in length, including the short tail.
The sandfish has developed a peculiar way of dealing with the desert heat: it possesses the ability to dive into the (soft) sand. It does this to prevent overheating (as it is cold blooded) and whenever it feels threatened.
The species has a long, wedge-shaped snout with a countersunk lower jaw. Its long, tapered body is covered with smooth, shiny scales, and its legs are short and sturdy with long, flattened and fringed feet. The tail is short, tapering to a fine point. The colouration of this species is considered attractive, being yellow-caramel with brown-black cross bands. This type of lizard also has bead-like eyes so they can close them to keep sand out of their eyes. Similarly its nostrils are very small to keep all of the sand out of its nose and lungs.
X-ray imaging has demonstrated that the lizard swims within sand using an undulatory gait with its limbs tucked against its sides rather than use its limbs as paddles to propel itself forward.
Moroccan Spiny Tailed Lizard
Scientific Name: Uromastyx acanthinurus
Origin: Northern Africa
Size: 15 - 17" (medium sized lizard)
Life Span: approximately 20 years
*They are one of the most variably and beautiful colored Uros, comes in a variety of spectacular colors, such as red, orange, green or yellow; they are also one of the hardiest breed species, long-lived, survived for more than 20 years.*
Habitat
A 60gal or larger aquarium, or similar terrarium, is recommended for single animals. Pairs and small breed groups require a cage that measures at least 4 x 2 x 2 feet. Desert terrarium. They are inveterate tunnelers, a times constructing home burrows of 10ft or more in lenght. The burrows are often begun amidst rocks or near the root mass of a low shrub. So, place rocks on tank bottom so this burrower is not crushed as it tunnels through its substrate. When the lizards are "at home", they often plug the burrow with loose earth to help prevent moisture loss inside the burrow.
Sociability
A male may be kept with one to three females all year. The pores of the males tend to be larger than those of the females.
Food
Basic herbivorous diet. Greens, grasses hays, alfalfa, dried lentils, dries and fresh peas, birdseed. Although most spiny-tails show great interest in, and will readily consume crickets and other insect, avoid insect food because of potential health problems. Insect should only be provided as a treat only, not a regular component of the diet.
Water
In the wild, the majority of the water required by these lizards is acquired from the vegetation they consume. Captive uros will drink from a flat dish, It may be necessary to limit water access to control humidity. Care should be taken that the substrate does not become wet if the lizards walk though their water supply. In fact, to help preclude the possibility of respiratory ailments (often associated with abnormally high humidity and lower than optimum temperatures), always take all reasonable precautions to assure a low care humidity for all species of spiny-tails.
Lighting
They need a desert terrarium, with a high-illumination level and UV-B availably, with basking point of 46°C.
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