Olivier's sand lizard (Mesalina olivieri) for sale
Olivier's sand lizard (Mesalina olivieri), photo 2
Olivier's sand lizard (Mesalina olivieri), photo 3
,

Olivier’s Sand Lizard (Mesalina olivieri) for Sale

Mesalina olivieri, also known as the Olive Sand Lizard, is a medium-sized desert reptile native to North Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in arid, sandy, and rocky habitats such as the Sahara Desert.
With its light brown, striped body and quick daytime movements, it feeds mainly on insects like ants and flies. This oviparous species lays 2–6 eggs and typically lives 4–6 years in the wild.
Well adapted to harsh desert climates, it relies on camouflage and agility for survival.

Suitability: good for intermediate keepers with some desert-reptile experience. Only captive-bred stock offered. Price varies by destination country — contact us for a shipping quote.


Categories: ,

Price on request

The total depends on your country: permits, IATA packing and live-animal air cargo. We quote everything before you pay.

Request a quote by emailCan it ship to my country?
  • Captive-bred
  • Export papers for regulated species
  • IATA live-animal packing

Read the shipping policy →

About Olivier’s sand lizard

Mesalina olivieri, Olivier’s sand lizard, is a small, quick desert lacertid. It ranges across North Africa from Morocco to Egypt and on into the Middle East. In Egypt it lives on the gravel plains and sparse scrub of the northern coast and desert margins.

Identification

A slim lizard with a long tail, around 12 to 15 cm in total length, of which the body is only about 4 to 5 cm. The back is sandy grey to light brown with pale stripes and rows of dark and light spots, which makes it very hard to see on stony ground.

Behaviour and diet

Active by day and always on the move, running between low bushes and stopping to bask. It feeds on small insects such as ants, termites, small beetles and flies. In captivity it takes small crickets, fruit flies and other tiny feeder insects dusted with calcium.

Reproduction and lifespan

Egg-laying, with small clutches of a few eggs, sometimes more than one clutch in a season. These are short-lived lizards; a few years is normal.

Is it right for you?

A good species for keepers who enjoy watching natural behaviour in a planted desert setup. It needs a dry terrarium with sand and gravel, flat stones, a hot basking spot of 38–40°C, a cooler end, strong UVB and a night-time drop. It is too small and fast to be handled much.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: Least Concern.

Export from Egypt and shipping

  • CITES: Mesalina olivieri is not listed in the CITES appendices, so no CITES permit is involved.
  • Our side: we prepare the Egyptian export documents and the veterinary health certificate for each shipment.
  • Your side: any import permit your country asks for. Please check with your wildlife authority before you order, because the rules change.
  • Transport: live-animal air cargo, packed to IATA Live Animals Regulations.
  • Price: quoted per shipment once we know the destination airport, since freight and paperwork differ from country to country.

Email the species name (Mesalina olivieri), the quantity and your destination country to info@egyptian-reptiles.com, or read the shipping policy first.

Housing guide: How to set up a desert reptile terrarium.

More desert lizards: Sandfish skink (Scincus scincus) and Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus).


Related products

Shopping Cart