I spent four nights in the UAE including two nights at Al Ain followed by the two nights in Oman (already posted) and then two nights at Fujairah. Here is a map that shows the areas where I searched for reptiles:
A: Al Ain area
B: Fujairah area
C: near Al Malaiha
Typical habitat to the north of Al Ain:
I arrived in Dubai at 4am, I hired a car and headed off immediately to Al Ain, about 2.5 hours southeast of Dubai. After stopping a few times, I reached dunes northwest of Al Ain at about 7:30am. It was hot already but not overly oppressive. I stopped and walked the dunes to see if any reptiles were active. I soon found these incredible Eastern Sand Skinks (Scincus mitranus). With the sun to my back, these skinks were conspicuous since their bodies glistened silver or gold in the early morning sun. These skinks are well named. They cruise along the surface of the sand with sometimes only the top of their heads and backs exposed. When frightened, the make a big "splash" and vanish instantly beneath the surface of the sand. The sand was extremely fine in texture and felt almost like powder.
Sandfish habitat:
Here is where one of the skinks made its dive:
Sandfish tracks:
When initially disturbed, they would usually partially submerge but keep their heads just above the surface:
I saw these skinks occasionally at night so they must change to the night shift while the days are so hot.
Flowers on the dunes:
These White-spotted Fringe-toed Lizards (Acanthodactylus schmidti) also lived on the dunes. To me, they looked a little like a cross between an Uma and a Aspidoscelis in form.
... habitat:
These Toad-headed Agamas were abundant on the dunes. I am not certain whether these were Spotted Toad-headed Agamas (Phrynocephalus maculatus) or Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus). I think that I might have photos of both species that overlap in distribution.
Spotted Toad-headed Agama?
Arabian Toad-headed Agama?
Toad-headed Agama habitat:
Night walks on the dunes were very interesting. I found large numbers of these beautiful Arabian Sand Geckos (Stenodactylus arabicus) with webbed feet.
If you look closely, you can see fringe on the webbed feet:
I also saw several of these Dune Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus doriae).
... as found beneath a small shrub on the dunes. I suppose that this posture had something to do with thermoregulation. The sand was still hot so perhaps the gecko adopted this position to keep its body high off the sand.
Arabian Sand Boa (Eryx jayakari). This was one of the most exciting finds of the trip. It was on the surface around 9pm. When found it was slowly crawling along but after I flashed my light on it, it continously tried to dive beneath the surface. The lower jaw was reset for its sand burrowing life. I suppose that it must partially bury itself but leave its eyes above the surface. The seem so odd on top of the flat head. It was a gentle little snake and never attempted to bite.
... as discovered:
Tenebrionids:
Gerbil, maybe Cheesman's Gerbil. I saw these a few times in the dunes:
I stayed at the Mercure Hotel which is located at the summit of a mountain called Jebel Hafeet a little south of Al Ain
Sinai Agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus), habitat and animal.
Mercure on top of Jebel Hafeet near Al Ain. I "roughed it" here for two nights. The hotel had a huge atrium that included several open sided tents with the low Arab furniture. At night, groups of Arabs would sit there and sip their sweet teas or coffees while chatting. Arabic music played softly in the background. It felt so exotic to walk through the lobby.
The lawns of the the Mercure were green and attacted a few birds including this pair of Chukars:
Egyptian Vultures were faily common on Jebel Hafeet:
Juvenile Hume's Wheatear in the gardens. I saw this species more often on the bare rocks of the mountain.
Mosque in a small town northwest of Al Ain.
... more tomorrow night
A: Al Ain area
B: Fujairah area
C: near Al Malaiha
Typical habitat to the north of Al Ain:
I arrived in Dubai at 4am, I hired a car and headed off immediately to Al Ain, about 2.5 hours southeast of Dubai. After stopping a few times, I reached dunes northwest of Al Ain at about 7:30am. It was hot already but not overly oppressive. I stopped and walked the dunes to see if any reptiles were active. I soon found these incredible Eastern Sand Skinks (Scincus mitranus). With the sun to my back, these skinks were conspicuous since their bodies glistened silver or gold in the early morning sun. These skinks are well named. They cruise along the surface of the sand with sometimes only the top of their heads and backs exposed. When frightened, the make a big "splash" and vanish instantly beneath the surface of the sand. The sand was extremely fine in texture and felt almost like powder.
Sandfish habitat:
Here is where one of the skinks made its dive:
Sandfish tracks:
When initially disturbed, they would usually partially submerge but keep their heads just above the surface:
I saw these skinks occasionally at night so they must change to the night shift while the days are so hot.
Flowers on the dunes:
These White-spotted Fringe-toed Lizards (Acanthodactylus schmidti) also lived on the dunes. To me, they looked a little like a cross between an Uma and a Aspidoscelis in form.
... habitat:
These Toad-headed Agamas were abundant on the dunes. I am not certain whether these were Spotted Toad-headed Agamas (Phrynocephalus maculatus) or Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus). I think that I might have photos of both species that overlap in distribution.
Spotted Toad-headed Agama?
Arabian Toad-headed Agama?
Toad-headed Agama habitat:
Night walks on the dunes were very interesting. I found large numbers of these beautiful Arabian Sand Geckos (Stenodactylus arabicus) with webbed feet.
If you look closely, you can see fringe on the webbed feet:
I also saw several of these Dune Sand Gecko (Stenodactylus doriae).
... as found beneath a small shrub on the dunes. I suppose that this posture had something to do with thermoregulation. The sand was still hot so perhaps the gecko adopted this position to keep its body high off the sand.
Arabian Sand Boa (Eryx jayakari). This was one of the most exciting finds of the trip. It was on the surface around 9pm. When found it was slowly crawling along but after I flashed my light on it, it continously tried to dive beneath the surface. The lower jaw was reset for its sand burrowing life. I suppose that it must partially bury itself but leave its eyes above the surface. The seem so odd on top of the flat head. It was a gentle little snake and never attempted to bite.
... as discovered:
Tenebrionids:
Gerbil, maybe Cheesman's Gerbil. I saw these a few times in the dunes:
I stayed at the Mercure Hotel which is located at the summit of a mountain called Jebel Hafeet a little south of Al Ain
Sinai Agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus), habitat and animal.
Mercure on top of Jebel Hafeet near Al Ain. I "roughed it" here for two nights. The hotel had a huge atrium that included several open sided tents with the low Arab furniture. At night, groups of Arabs would sit there and sip their sweet teas or coffees while chatting. Arabic music played softly in the background. It felt so exotic to walk through the lobby.
The lawns of the the Mercure were green and attacted a few birds including this pair of Chukars:
Egyptian Vultures were faily common on Jebel Hafeet:
Juvenile Hume's Wheatear in the gardens. I saw this species more often on the bare rocks of the mountain.
Mosque in a small town northwest of Al Ain.
... more tomorrow night
