The hot and dry climate of UAE can lead people to believe that not many animals choose to live and breed in this region. The fact is that quite a number of Species thrive in the desert and mountain areas of UAE. The secret is their unique adaptation. The United Arab Emirates embraces a stunning variety of natural habitats, supporting a vast array of species, each superbly adapted to its particular environment. The “Top 12 Jewels” as they are know – the Arabian oryx, Saker Falcon, Hawksbill Turtle, Mountain Gazelle and other species have made it a home here in UAE. With Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital providing veterinary health care services exclusively for the falcons, is the most reputed Falcon Hospitals in the Gulf Region. With patient-base not only from UAE and other gulf countries, the hospital has expanded its facilities to meet the growing need of treatment, training and research catering to Falcons and other birds as well.

Arabian Wildlife Centre which is a part of Sharjah Desert Park Complex houses the world largest collection of Arabian wildlife and all of the animals that you can find in the Arabian Peninsula. The enclosures start off small with the reptiles, invertebrates and aquatics – all of which are housed in beautifully clean tanks which replicate their environment. The desert environment, which consists of a large room, has been transformed into an arid desert landscape. The room is full of free roaming birds, which you walk amongst on an elevated walkway. Children especially will love this section due to its interactivity with the animals and the ability to see species such as flamingos in such close proximity. This centre includes the larger animals such as wolves and Arabian leopards. The animals tend to come quite close to the glass in this area so you really do get to see these majestic beasts in quite close proximity. It is a house to a mix of Asian and African Species.

Sand dunes and sheets of different types cover by far the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates, ranging from vast, flat expanses to the impressive mega-dunes. Perhaps surprisingly, sand dunes are home to a wide variety of very well-adapted desert specialists. Over 54 terrestrial species are known to occur in the UAE, including many desert-dwelling lizards, snakes and a single species of worm lizard. The list of these is endless from an Arabian cat snake, to a small and attractive gecko. The beaked sea snake that gains its name from its strange downturned, beak like projection on the snout, have adapted well to the hot and arid environment of UAE. The famous Dhub lizard – a timid grey reptile loves to bask in the early morning sun before hiding away in its burrow. In late afternoon it ventures back out, catching the last rays of light before the sun sets. It is also known as the Samakat al Sahra (“fish of the desert”) or the dragon or “little dinosaur” of the desert.

Perhaps a third of all known species of whales and dolphins occur off the shores of UAE. It is possible to view whales and dolphins in the waters of UAE throughout most of the year. On the days when the sea is calm schools of dolphins and whale pods, loll peacefully on the surface, allowing boats to approach to within a few metres. In the waters just off Dubai’s coast, sea turtles are relatively common: specifically the “Green Turtle”. This creature can be seen almost anywhere in waters of UAE, though the best way to chance a sighting is by going diving. Having been blessed with an amazing marine life including dugongs, dolphins and sharks, the Arabian Gulf is a home to 500 species of fish. Waters of UAE hold second largest population of dugongs with about 5,800 of the species. For divers, the Musandam region which juts into the Straits of Hormuz provides some of the best diving imaginable. From the sea’s gentle giant, the whale shark, to the less glamorous but still captivating and colourful sea anemones which blindly follow the ocean’s current, the Gulf’s waters are a rare treasure. Common, spinner, bottlenose and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are the four most commonly seen dolphins in this region.

Invertebrates dominate the fauna of the United Arab Emirates, both in terms of species and population numbers. It is believed to be home to between 5,000 and 10,000 insect species. The insects are by far the most numerous, but other interesting groups are also found like true spiders, camel spiders, scorpions, centipedes and isopods. Indeed for a desert country, The UAE has a remarkable and beautiful dragonfly fauna. 5 species of Damselflies and 17 of Dragonflies are know from the Emirates. One of the largest, most colourful and the best known group of UAE is the butterflies. Almost 50 species of butterfly are known to occur in the country. The division of these butterflies is very simplistic – the day flying butterflies and the night flying butterflies.

The UAE holds the gulf’s largest breeding population of Sooty Falcon. Several Islands hold important sea bird populations. Siniyah, Yasat and Ghagha Islands hold large Socotra cormorant populations. Around 100 species regularly breed in the UAE, and it is also home to many internationally important wintering bird populations.

Migratory Population

Hosting large number of visiting migratory birds which takes the number of bird species to an impressive 435. The house sparrow is probably the most commonly sighted bird in UAE. The Barbary Falcon is an increasingly rare breeding bird of the Hajar Mountains. One of the more consistent sites is the Green Mubazzarah around the base of Jebel Hafit as well as at the summit of Jebel Hafit.

Crab Plover – found throughout the year. Regular on Abu Dhabi Island. Also seen in Al Jazirah Khor.

White tailed lapwing – The single best site is the Dubai Pivot Fields, where present throughout the year. Also regularly seen at nearby Al Warsan Lakes where it also breeds.

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