Shield Tail Agama
Xenagama taylori

The Shield-tailed Agama (or Turnip-tailed Agama, Xenagama taylori) is a lizard found in Somalia and Ethiopia. It lives on arid flat land, sometimes on hilly landscapes, sandy but also hard grounds where they dig deep galleries.

The Shield-tailed Agama (or Turnip-tailed Agama, Xenagama taylori) is a lizard found in Somalia and Ethiopia. It lives on arid flat land, sometimes on hilly landscapes, sandy but also hard grounds where they dig deep galleries. It survives at 45 to 50 degrees Celsius maximum temperature, but average ranges between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius in a very dry environment, with exception of strong spring storms and high humidity at that time. Xenagama taylori should be kept in small groups of one male with several females. Each individual needs to be able to get under a heating/basking lamp, as even females are very territorial. They do need thick and hard substrate so they can actually do what they prefer to do: dig. Terrarium should contain rocks for climbing, however these must sit securely on the ground as Xenagama will dig below the rocks. A small water bowl is necessary, however they prefer drinking water droplets from regular misting (every second day). For a group of 4 (1 male and 3 females), the terrarium should be at least 150 cm long and 60 cm high and deep.