ANIMALS IN THE ARABIAN DESERT
The animal life is varied and unique.
MAMMALS
The mammals in the Arabian dominate the Arabian's arid and semi-bush areas.
Some mammals are:
- Cape Hares
- Sand cats
- Striped hyenas
- red foxes
- caracals
- Arabian wolves
- Camels
INVERTEBRATES
Insects and arthropods in the Arabian Desert, : have a long history within the region
- Scorpions
- spiders
- ants
- bees
- wasps
- moths
- Scarab beetles
One of the biggest spiders in the Arabian Desert is the Egyptian giant sopulgid, otherwise
known as the huge camel spider (Galeodes arabs). It grows up to 6 inches long and can
move as fast as 10 miles per hour.
members of the family Scarabaeoidea, consume dung and plant material and are the most
numerous group of beetles in the desert.
REPTILES
Snakes, geckos and lizards thrive in the Arabian Desert. Over one hundred lizards species live
in the region, with geckos being the largest variety of species. However, the largest and most
recognizable in lizard in the desert is the Egyptian uromastyx (Uromastyx aegyptia) or most
commonly known as the dhub. It grows up to 2 feet long and can weigh up to 10 pounds. They
are herbivores, and are usually hunted for food. Cobras and horned vipers also live in the
desert, though these dangerously venomous filled reptiles manage to avoid Saudi dinner
tables.
BIRDS
Thousands of avian bird species live or pass by the Arabian Desert each year.
Though not endemic to the area the main birds of prey like the, vultures, buzzards and falcons
are the most prevalent of the birds.
The Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus) is one of the oldest species of heirofalcons and is a fast,
agile hunter. Swallows, martins, sparrows and doves also pepper the skies.
The Namaqua dove ( Oena capensis ) has a light grey body and black face and underneath the
neck, making him easy to identify on bird- watching trips through the desert