EXHIBIT 3.
EGYPTIAN DAB LIZARD
Uromastyx aegyptia

Dab lizards are vegetarian like tortoises. Vegetarianism is surprisingly rare in lizards, being practised by relatively few species ie. Afro-Arabian dab lizards, American iguanas, Asian sailfin lizards, Solomons monkey-tail skink, and a few small seed, nectar or fruit eaters.

Although dab lizards are diurnal (active by day) and feed like tortoises, grazing low succulent flowers and fruit in arid rocky habitats, they lack the defensive shell of their competitor. When threatened the dab lizard’s defensive tactic consists of running back to its burrow, usually located under a large rock, diving in, puffing itself up to make itself a tight fit, and blocking the entrance with its spiky tail. Many species are threatened by hunting for food.

There are 16 species of dab lizards across North Africa, the Middle East and western Asia.

The Egyptian dab lizard occurs in Egypt (eastern bank of the Nile and the Sinai), Israel, southeastern Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, southern Iraq & southwest Iran.

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Habitat: Arid stoney desert & rocky outcrops

Dab lizards have spiny tails to prevent a predator following when they dive down a hole
The head of the vegetarian dab lizard is like that of a tortoise	If cornered the dab lizard will defends itself and bite powerfully

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