Pet Breed Guide NZ
Uromastyx (Spiny-tailed Lizard)
The Uromastyx is not legally keepable in New Zealand due to biosecurity laws; this page details the regulations and legal reptile alternatives.
Photo Gallery
NZ Ownership Snapshot
Prohibited in NZ- Noise Level
- quiet
- Social Needs
- solitary
Uromastyx cannot be legally imported or kept as pets in New Zealand. MPI does not allow reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos), and under the HSNO Act 1996 a species not present in NZ before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism" that cannot be imported or released without EPA approval. Uromastyx are not part of New Zealand's pet trade.
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- medium
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Origin
- North Africa/Middle East
- Care Focus
- Enclosure-focused reptile with handling tolerance and activity needs that should be checked in a species-specific care guide.
- NZ Price
- NOT AVAILABLE IN NZ — prohibited species, no lawful source or price
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Not legal to keep as a pet in NZ. MPI does not allow snakes or other reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos); other than cats and dogs, only rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas can be imported as pets. Under the HSNO Act 1996, a species not present in NZ immediately before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism" that cannot be imported or released without EPA approval (s2A, s25), and knowingly, recklessly or negligently possessing one imported in breach of the Act is an offence (s109). Sources: mpi.govt.nz (Bringing pets to NZ other than cats and dogs); legislation.govt.nz (HSNO Act 1996). Checked 29 September 2026.
No — you cannot legally keep, buy, or breed a Uromastyx (Uromastyx species, also known as spiny-tailed lizards) in New Zealand. Although these herbivorous, desert-dwelling lizards are highly popular in the international reptile community, they are strictly prohibited under New Zealand's rigorous biosecurity laws. Uromastyx are not part of New Zealand's pet trade, and they cannot be imported as pets.
Why Uromastyx are not legal in NZ
Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, a species that was not present in New Zealand immediately before 29 July 1998 is a "new organism". A new organism cannot be imported or released without an approval from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), and knowingly, recklessly or negligently possessing one that was imported in breach of the Act is an offence.
Separately, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) does not allow snakes or other reptiles to be imported as pets (only some reptiles for zoos), so there is no lawful way to bring a Uromastyx into New Zealand as a pet. The species is not on the EPA's list of prohibited organisms (organisms, such as snakes and venomous reptiles, that can never be approved), but that does not make it legal to import or keep.
The Uromastyx is also absent from the New Zealand Herpetological Society's list of exotics commonly kept in New Zealand — the NZHS is a hobby society, not a regulator, so that list is not an approval list.
What if someone offers you one?
Since Uromastyx cannot be lawfully imported as pets and are not part of New Zealand's pet trade, any individual offered for sale locally should be treated as illegal. Importing or purchasing a smuggled new organism is a serious crime under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the HSNO Act 1996. Convictions carry heavy penalties, including substantial fines and prison terms.
Furthermore, smuggled animals bypass all biosecurity screening and quarantine, making them highly likely to carry diseases that could devastate New Zealand's native geckos and skinks.
If you encounter anyone advertising Uromastyx for sale, or if someone offers to sell you one, you should report it immediately to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) via their confidential 24-hour biosecurity hotline at 0800 80 99 66.
Legal reptiles to keep instead
If you love unique, herbivorous or docile lizards and want to keep a fascinating, legal reptile as a pet in New Zealand, there are several highly popular options that are legally bred and traded within the Kiwi hobby:
- Bearded Dragon: The Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is an excellent alternative. Like Uromastyx, they enjoy warm basking spots, eat a diet rich in leafy greens and insects, and have a highly docile temperament. Learn more in our bearded dragon guide.
- Blue-Tongue Skink: The Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) is another large, docile, and legal exotic reptile. Keep in mind that they are managed as regional pests in some areas (like Auckland), which restricts breeding and sale, but keeping existing pets remains legal. Read our blue-tongue skink profile for details.
- Leopard Gecko: The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is another highly recommended small lizard. They are easy to handle and do not require complex humidity controls. See our detailed leopard gecko guide.
Sources
- Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Prohibited organisms in New Zealand, checked 2026-07-04: https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/new-organisms/prohibited-organisms-in-new-zealand/
- New Zealand Herpetological Society (NZHS). Exotic pets — a hobby society's list of exotics commonly kept in New Zealand (not an approval list), checked 2026-09-28: https://www.reptiles.org.nz/herpetofauna/exotic-pets
- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Bringing pets to NZ (other than cats and dogs), checked 2026-09-29: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/bringing-pets-to-nz-other-than-cats-and-dogs/
- New Zealand Legislation. Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (s2A, s25, s109, Schedule 2), checked 2026-09-28: https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0030/latest/whole.html
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Uromastyx can change their skin colour to help regulate their body temperature, becoming darker when they need to absorb more heat and lighter to reflect it.
Fact 2
Their distinctive spiny tail is primarily used as a defensive weapon, often swung at predators or used to wedge themselves into tight crevices.
Fact 3
Unlike many other lizards, Uromastyx are almost exclusively herbivorous, thriving on a diet of plants, seeds, and flowers.
Fact 4
They are excellent diggers and create extensive burrows in their natural desert habitats to escape extreme temperatures.
Fact 5
Some species of Uromastyx can live for 20 years or more in captivity with proper care, making them a long-term companion.
Related Breeds & Species
Australian Water Dragon
Australian Water Dragons are large, active semi-arboreal lizards native to Australia. They need large vertical climbing enclosures, high humidity, and a swimming pool, and are the only water dragon legal in NZ.
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Reeve's Turtle (Chinese Pond Turtle)
A small-to-medium semi-aquatic pond turtle characterized by three prominent ridges on its shell. Extremely hardy and personable, making it an excellent beginner turtle. Requires shallow aquariums, basking docks, and high UVB.
Red-eared Slider Turtle
Red-eared Slider Turtles are semi-aquatic reptiles recognizable by the red stripe behind their eyes. They are highly active swimmers that need a large water tank, a dry basking dock, and intense UVB lighting.
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Chinese Fire-bellied Newt
A small, cool-water aquatic newt from China. Notable for being smaller and more fully aquatic than the Japanese species. Requires low-flow sponge filters, cool temperatures, and zero handling due to skin toxins.
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Japanese Fire-bellied Newt
A small, cool-water semi-aquatic newt from Japan. Famous for its bright orange belly and warning coloration. Requires a low-flow paludarium, cool temperatures, and zero handling due to mild skin toxins.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons are one of the small number of non-native lizards legally kept in New Zealand. They are daytime-active and genuinely handleable, but they are also the most equipment-hungry of the common pet lizards: an adult needs roughly a 120x60x60cm vivarium, a 38-42°C basking spot and full-spectrum UVB. Skimp on the UVB and metabolic bone disease is the usual outcome. Typical lifespan is 10-15 years.