🏜️ Arid-Climate Lizards in the Pet Trade

✅ Common to Semi-Common Species

1. Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

• Region: Central Australia

• Climate: Hot, arid deserts and scrublands

• Notes: One of the most popular pet lizards; hardy, friendly, easy to care for with proper lighting and heat.

2. Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

• Region: Pakistan, Afghanistan, NW India

• Climate: Rocky deserts and dry grasslands

• Notes: Technically semi-arid; nocturnal, doesn't require UVB, perfect for beginners.

3. Uromastyx (Spiny-Tailed Lizards)

• Species: Multiple – Uromastyx geyri, ornata, aegyptia, maliensis

• Region: North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia

• Climate: Harsh deserts and rocky arid zones

• Notes: Herbivorous, highly heat-tolerant, need strong UVB. Some species can be shy at first.

4. Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma spp.)

• Region: North America

• Climate: Deserts, dry plains

• Notes: Uncommon in captivity due to specialized ant diet; not recommended for beginners.

5. Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)

• Region: Southwestern US and northern Mexico

• Climate: Desert and rocky semi-arid regions

• Notes: Fast and active, striking colors, need lots of space and heat.

6. Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)

• Region: Southwestern US and Baja California

• Climate: True desert

• Notes: Active diurnal lizard; can be hard to find in the trade.

🌵 Less Common, But Occasionally Kept

7. Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)

• Region: Southwestern US, Baja California

• Climate: Rocky deserts

• Notes: Herbivorous, hardy once acclimated, rarely aggressive; needs large enclosure and high basking temps.

8. Frilled Dragon (Chlamydosaurus kingii)

• Region: Northern Australia and southern New Guinea

• Climate: Tropical savanna with dry seasons

• Notes: Not truly desert, but adapted to arid environments; striking threat display.

9. Namib Sand Gecko (Pachydactylus rangei)

• Region: Namib Desert (Africa)

• Climate: Hyper-arid coastal desert

• Notes: Tiny, delicate gecko with transparent skin and large eyes; rare and needs precise conditions.

10. Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

• Region: West Africa

• Climate: Arid to semi-arid scrub

• Notes: Similar care to leopard geckos, but more shy; tolerates lower humidity than most tropical species.

🔥 Key Traits of Arid Lizards

• High heat requirements: Many need basking spots between 100–130°F (38–55°C).

• Strong UVB exposure: Especially for diurnal lizards like bearded dragons, Uromastyx, and collared lizards.

• Low humidity: Most thrive in 10–40% humidity ranges.

• Burrowing or rock-dwelling: Many require substrate depth or hides for security and thermoregulation.

• Diet diversity: Some are insectivores (leopard geckos), others herbivores (Uromastyx, chuckwallas), or omnivores (bearded dragons).