The Sanda Lizard has been trending recently with a slew of memes on social media talking about eating sanda. But what’s the story behind the lizard?

Also known as Hardwicke’s spiny-tailed lizard (Saara hardwickii), it is a master of survival in one of Earth’s harshest landscapes. Known for its herbivorous diet and burrowing habits, this reptile is not just a desert dweller but a cultural and ecological cornerstone.

A Desert Survivor: Habitat and Distribution

The Sanda Lizard thrives in the arid regions of South Asia, specifically the Thar Desert and Kutch in India, and parts of Pakistan, including Sindh’s Kohistan region near Karachi. Unlike its cousin, the Arabian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia), common in Saudi Arabia, the Sanda Lizard prefers firm ground over sandy dunes.

In Kutch, it inhabits elevated patches called "Bets," which stay above monsoon water levels (Roundglass Sustain). These colonial lizards live in loose clusters, digging zig-zagging burrows up to 2 meters long for shelter and hibernation, making them a vital part of the desert ecosystem.

Who Eats the Sanda Lizard?

In India and Pakistan, local communities hunt the Sanda Lizard for its meat and fat. The meat, described as white and chicken-like, is a delicacy in some regions, particularly among certain Hindu castes in India . The tail is especially prized.

However, the fat is the real treasure, boiled into "sanda oil" and used as an embrocation or a supposed aphrodisiac, believed to treat ailments like joint pain and impotence . In Pakistan, vendors in Rawalpindi’s Raja Bazaar sell this oil, marketing it as a stamina booster.

In the wild, the Sanda Lizard is a key prey species for raptors like the Laggar Falcon and Tawny Eagle, which feed on it, reinforcing its ecological importance. Desert foxes and snakes also target it, drawn to its colonial burrows.

Cultural Fame and Culinary Demand

The Sanda Lizard isn’t a global celebrity, but it’s a regional icon in South Asia, particularly for its role in traditional medicine. Sanda oil, derived from its fat, commands a significant market, especially in Pakistan, where it’s sold as an aphrodisiac .

Online platforms, including YouTube, have fueled illegal trade, with sellers shipping to countries like the UAE and Oman. In India, the lizard’s meat is consumed by some communities, and its oil is a staple in folk remedies, believed to cure everything from muscle pain to sexual dysfunction.

This demand has driven rampant poaching, particularly in western Rajasthan, where the species is nearing extinction . The global market for sanda oil is estimated to be worth billions, highlighting its economic significance and vulnerability.

Is Eating the Sanda Lizard Haram in Islam?

The permissibility of eating the Sanda Lizard in Islam hinges on interpretations of Islamic dietary laws. A well-known hadith, narrated by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, describes the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being offered a roasted lizard, likely the Dhab (Uromastyx aegyptia), but declining to eat it due to personal distaste, as it was not common in his region.

He did not declare it haram, and his companion Khalid bin Walid ate it in his presence . Most Sunni scholars, including Ibn Qudaamah, consider lizards, including the Sanda Lizard, halal, though some, like Abu Hanifa, argue against it .

In South Asia, Muslim communities consuming the Sanda Lizard generally regard it as halal, aligning with the majority view. Cultural preferences vary, and some may avoid it due to personal aversion, but the religious consensus leans toward permissibility.

Benefits of Eating the Sanda Lizard

The Sanda Lizard’s meat is lean and protein-rich, making it a valuable food source in arid regions where protein is scarce . Its chicken-like texture is palatable, and historical accounts praise its flavor. The fat, particularly from the tail, is used in traditional medicine, believed to alleviate muscle pain, joint issues, and sexual dysfunction.

Some studies suggest the oil may have antimicrobial properties, though scientific evidence for most claims is limited .

The lizard’s skin is occasionally used for leather, adding to its utility. While cultural beliefs drive its consumption, the lack of robust scientific validation underscores the need for caution in its medicinal use.

Legal Status in Saudi Arabia

The Sanda Lizard is not native to Saudi Arabia, unlike the Dhab lizard, which is hunted locally as a delicacy . Its trade, however, is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species , to which Saudi Arabia is a signatory since 1996 . Listed in CITES Appendix II, the Sanda Lizard’s trade requires permits to prevent overexploitation.

Saudi Arabia enforces strict wildlife laws, prohibiting the trade of vulnerable species without authorization. The Sanda Lizard’s Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List means any import or export without permits could incur penalties, including fines up to SR30 million or 10 years’ imprisonment.

Local hunting laws also regulate species like the Dhab to prevent overhunting, suggesting a cautious approach to wildlife management.

Conservation Challenges

The Sanda Lizard faces severe threats from poaching and habitat loss. In India, it’s protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife  Act, 1972, offering the highest level of legal protection . Its IUCN status was upgraded from Data Deficient to Vulnerable, reflecting population declines due to overhunting for meat and oil .

In Pakistan, poaching continues despite legal protections, driven by the lucrative sanda oil trade.

Conservation efforts are critical to preserve this keystone species, which supports desert predators like raptors and foxes. Initiatives to curb poaching, protect habitats, and raise awareness are essential to ensure its survival.

The Sanda Lizard is more than a desert reptile; it’s a bridge between culture, ecology, and commerce. It's meat and fat sustain communities, it's oil fuels a controversial trade, and its presence enriches the desert ecosystem. Yet, its survival hangs in the balance, threatened by human demand and habitat pressures.

In Saudi Arabia, while not native, its trade is tightly regulated, reflecting global conservation priorities.