Banded Uromastyx (U. flavofasciata)
The Banded Uromastyx
is a recent edition to the Uromastyx species in captivity in North America. While the name is certainly accurate, it unfortunately causes confusion between it and the Banded pattern Mali. Perhaps "Zebra" Uromastyx would solve the problem? A few individual Banded Uromastyx have been in England under the care of Terry Thacker and a very few individuals and Mali x Banded crosses have been scattered in U.S, collections, but often misidentified as banded pattern Mali's. A shipment of pure Bandeds' finally made it into Florida, USA, in 2001. Luckily several breeders picked breeding stock early from this group as they have failed to be imported again. They come from Mauritania and parts of Mali, both countries of which are open to export Uromastyx. Still the various importers have failed to bring any more in. The depressed price on Mali Uromastyx is probably a factor in this. The general public and pet shops find many Bandeds' to be too much like Mali's to justify the much higher wholesale price. Thus the importers have refused to pay the exporter his asking price and there it sits. While I wouldn't wish Banded Uro's to suffer the same collecting pressure as Mali's have been put under, the population in captivity is extremely limited - possible too much so to get a viable breeding population established. It's a shame as a good Banded is an extremely striking Uromastyx.While clearly closely related to the Mali Uromastyx, they are distinctly different. Only juveniles are exceptionally difficult to tell from Mali's for experienced Urophiles. Unfortunately, they do naturally intergrade with Mali's and identification of those individuals can be problematic. If you look at multiple characteristics (degree of belly striping - high in Bandeds, traces of orange or parchment pigments - predominate in Bandeds, form of the back striping, type of ocellations (round = Banded or Mali, versed honeycomb = Mali), you can still get a good feel for what species is the predominately present in the individuals. Bandeds are one of the larger species, rivaling Moroccans for the number 3 spot in terms of mass. Both sexes have strong "Zebra" stripes, often in perfect clear rows with a minimal, broken back stripe at best. Broken bands (misaligned where they meet at the center of the back) are also common but they still look slightly different than in a banded pattern Mali Uromastyx. Mali's have a strong tendency to keep the back stripe while Bandeds tend to loose it. The cross stripes in males go jet black with relatively straight edges while in females they often go deep mahogany with ocellations within the bands. The area between the bands is usually light tan in females but may be either parchment white or yellow in males. Both sexes also can get true orange pigmentation along the bands, bleeding into the inter-band area (a trait never seen in Mali's). Their temperament is comparable to a Mali, being generally a calm, friendly species.
Availability is extremely limited and can be expected to remain so unless more are imported. Several breeders have pairs setup but none of us produced hatchlings in 2002 (the first year any of us had a shot at it). Hopefully 2003 will be more promising. We’ve posted photos below of a few individuals we’ve recently sold so you can get an idea of what’s generally available. Please also view our Photo Gallery of Deer Fern Farms In-House Breeders page to see the parents of our (hopefully soon to be) In-house captive produced hatchlings. Our availability is sporadic, so please e-mail or call us (360 435-2679) if you're looking for Bandeds'. We keep a "Wanted" list and fill it as specimens become available. Please see "Deer Fern Farms Ordering / Policies" for ordering information.
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| Adult Male | Adult Female |
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| Adult Male | High Orange Adult Female |
Email:
douglasdix@deerfernfarms.com
Copyright © 1992-2005 by Douglas Dix. All rights reserved for all photos and text
