Algerian Leopard Uromastyx (U. acanthinurus acanthinurus)

Algerian Leopard Uromastyx Male	Algerian Leopard Uromastyx Female

 

The Algerian Leopard  Uromastyx arrived in North America for the first time in late 2005. They were marketed to us as "Black  Moroccans", and while technically the same species as Moroccans, (acanthinurus),  they are a different subspecies found primarily in Algeria.  The difference was easily spotted, so we purchased all the healthy individuals that came in during this first importation (approx. 30 specimens) just encase these  proved to be a one-shot importation.  As of 2009, only one other importation has occurred and very few of these ended up in  breeding situations.

Little is recorded concerning this subspecies as they never really seem to have made it into herpeticulture before.  Algeria is not the most accessible/ safe area for reptile collecting/exporting so that no doubt has inhibited their collection.  Adult size is comparable to the Mali and Moroccan Uromastyx (around 15" average for males, 12" total length  for females but the data is limited at this point).  Adult  coloration of  adult males is predominantly an interesting shade of black (it almost has a tindal-factor in that it occasionally  refracts light to give the false impression of a faint teal-pigment to some of the scales).   Scattered through this black background are either yellow or white polka dots, yielding somewhat of a reverse-leopard look.  The females are somewhat similar to Mali females in coloration  except that the center of the back develops a more tangerine-orange tint overlaying a pale yellow-tan background.  Scattered over this are black spots in either a freckle pattern or broken ocellations, again giving a faint impression of a leopard in the brighter specimens. 

Algerian Leopard Male - (yellow spotted)	Algerian Leopard Adolescent Male - (white spotted)

Algerian Leopard Juvenile	Algerian Leopard Yearling Male

Adolescent males are an interesting pastel gray with charcoal ocellations while immature females seem to be duller versions of the adult females. Overall, the patterns seem slightly more uniform than those in Mali's, but again the sample size is too small to make any broad conclusions.  One interesting  note about this first group is that a large percentage of the individuals have a broken stripe running down the center of the back (see photo of the "Yearling Male" above).  This may just be a trait of the specimens from this one local but does add an interesting  change to the overall pattern.   An easy characteristic to use to separate out immature specimens from similar looking  Mali or Moroccan juveniles is to count tail whorls.  Algerians have an average of  18 distinct tail whorls while both Mali's and Moroccans have 19+ (usually at least 20). We have noticed that to date, all our captive born Algerians have at least a partial stripe down the back of the neck while over 80% have a broken stripe down the entire center of the back.    

The temperament of the few individuals that came in is somewhat unique, being generally calmer than the average freshly imported Mali and with none exhibiting the more typical aggressive tendencies shown by the wild collected Moroccans. They also uniformly have a great fondness for softened Mazuri tortoise pellets.  So far they and Banded and Egyptian Uros share this trait.

Availability will be extremely limited for at least the next 3 years unless Algeria lets another group out. Our CB need to go to breeding homes only until we can build up a sustainable population of these in North America. Let s us know if you're interested in a pair and please include your past experience in working with Uromastyx.

We ship based on the prevailing weather patterns between us and you. Usually we can ship most weeks, but when large storms/severe heat/cold are forecasted, we prefer to hold off.   Please see  "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Prices" for ordering information.

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