Birds of the UAE

About 400 species of birds live on the territory of the Emirates. Some of them are migratory, that is, they spend only winter on the peninsula. Winter is the ideal time for bird watching. Many of these birds are marine. The birds of the UAE are represented by the thymelian passerine family, tree raksha, common bulbul, desert lark, wheatear, woodweed and many others.

Birds in Dubai

What birds live in Dubai? Dubai is a real paradise for amateur ornithologists. Birdwatching in Dubai attracts many birdwatchers. In winter, on the territory of the Emirate, you can see unusually beautiful birds that migrated from Africa or Asia. We advise you to visit the Ras Al Khor Nature Reserve or the Golf Club and admire the Greater Spotted Eagle, Mud Oystercatcher, Heron, Asian Snipe or Red-tailed Shrike. This is a great opportunity to see the birds of the UAE and Dubai, in particular, in all their glory and take some monumental shots that can become the pearl of your collection. Birds in Dubai are definitely worth your attention.

Insects in the UAE

The world of insects inhabiting the UAE is also diverse. However, they go unnoticed by most people, on the one hand, due to their small size, on the other hand, since most of them are nocturnal. Insects in the UAE peacefully coexist with people, without having a significant impact on their lives. Insects in the UAE are represented by the carpenter bee, Arabian cicada, horse beetle, weevil, ephemeral fly and many others. The redback spider is one of the few poisonous insects in the UAE.

UAE animals

Animals of the UAE are under the protection and care of the authorities of the Emirates. Hunting on the territory of the state is prohibited, since many animals have been exterminated as a result of human impact. The animals of the UAE had to adapt to life in the desert and difficult living conditions. Unfortunately, the population of gazelles has significantly decreased. Animals of the UAE are represented by the Arabian tahr, white oryx, Arabian wolf, striped hyena, common fox, steppe lynx, forest cat, South Arabian leopard, Ethiopian hedgehog and many others.

Flora of the UAE

Most plants in the UAE are salt tolerant, especially on the west coast of the country. Numerous dwarf trees grow in the east of the country, while Avicenna officinalis dominates in coastal lagoons. The flora of the UAE is represented by such plants as high calotropis, tubular cistancha, saline and many others. The most populated in terms of flora in the UAE are the plains in the northeast of the country. The climate of the mountains is cooler and more temperate – there are many amazing alpine flowers.

Arabian tar

This endangered artiodactyl species is found exclusively in the mountains of the United Arab Emirates and northern Oman. Arabian taras live on the northern mountain slopes at an altitude of 1000 to 1800 m. The total number of these animals in the UAE is about 5000 individuals.

The Arabian tahr is the smallest of all species of these animals of the goat subfamily. It is distinguished by its stocky build and the presence of curved horns.

Its coat is reddish-brown, and a dark stripe runs across its back. Males differ from females in having an impressive mane. Arabian taras are herbivores. They feed on grass, leaves and fruits of shrubs.

Arabian sand gazelle (reem)

This type of gazelles is found in the deserts of Arabia and Syria. The total number of sand gazelles is less than 1000 individuals. But a fairly large population of these animals lives in captivity in the region.

In the wild, Arabian sand gazelles are found among sand dunes and sand and gravel areas. These animals usually avoid rocky terrain. Due to uncontrolled hunting and the destruction of their natural habitat, the reem gazelle are now on the verge of extinction.

South Arabian leopard

This endangered subspecies of the leopard is endemic to the fauna of the Arabian Peninsula. Its population is very small. In 2006, it numbered about 200-250 individuals. According to recent studies, no more than 50 adult South Arabian leopards remain in the wild.

In the vastness of the Arabian Peninsula, these animals are found in the mountains and among the hilly steppes. In the UAE, the South Arabian leopard was first discovered in 1949. Now its status in the country is uncertain. The question remains whether this is an extinct or still very rare animal of the UAE.

In the old days, these predators of the Arabian Peninsula were found in Wadi Wuraiya, in the mountains of Hajar and Jabel Hafeet. The South Arabian leopard is a nocturnal animal that goes hunting at night. He hunts Arabian gazelles, Cape hares, various rodents, Cape hyraxes.

White or Arabian oryx

This species of antelope lives in the remote desert expanses of the UAE. There are also white oryxes among deserts and semi-deserts in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Although the species was declared extinct in the 1970s, successful captive breeding and reintroduction programs have allowed it to recover.

The wool of the Arabian oryx is almost snow-white, but the lower part of the body and legs are colored brown. There may be black stripes on the head. The horns of these UAE animals are long and straight.

Arabian oryx feed mainly on herbs. But they can also eat roots, fruits, plant buds. These UAE animals are well adapted to life in the desert. They can go without water for several weeks.

Arabian wolf

This subspecies of the gray wolf was previously found throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Now its population is limited to separate areas in the open spaces of some countries in this region, including the UAE.

The Arabian wolf is the smallest member of its family. Also, this is the only species of wolves that have adapted to life in the desert. It has comparatively large ears to help dissipate body heat.

The Arabian wolf can hunt for prey, but does not disdain to eat carrion. Usually these wolves live in small groups of 2-4 individuals. Hares, dune cats, rodents and small ungulates are the main prey of these predators Emirate.

Striped hyena

This type of hyena is widespread in the Middle East, in the north and east of Africa. The total number of their population in the world is a little less than 10 thousand adults.

The striped hyena is a scavenger, but sometimes it hunts for prey itself. These animals are nocturnal. Another interesting feature of them is the simulation of death in the event of a threat to life. Striped hyenas are monogamous. Both parents take part in raising the cubs.

Dune cat

This is the only cat species that lives in the true desert. The dune cat is well adapted to life in such difficult conditions. The soles of his paws are covered with long hairs.

The coat of this predator is painted in a pale sand shade, which allows it to blend into the natural background. There may be spots and stripes on the body, which also give a masking effect. The dune cat has a small body size and long ears.

This animal is found in the UAE in both rocky and sandy deserts. Like most cats, dune cats live alone. Poaching and habitat degradation are the main threats to the life of these animals Emirate.

Alexander Stephenson

Tourism Specialist in the UAE. Higher professional education. Paperwork and booking tours in the UAE. Professional management of clients at all stages of the journey – from the application to the return.

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