Arabian Toad-headed Agama \ Phrynocephalus arabicus **
The Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus) is a diminutive, diurnal agamid perfectly adapted to sandy deserts and rocky wadis. Adults may attain a snout–vent length (SVL) of approximately 51 mm and weigh 4.08 g on average Wikipedia, with a total length of under 20 cm from snout to tail tip enature.qa. This insectivorous species uses exceptional eyesight and a “sit-and-wait” strategy to ambush ants, beetles, and other invertebrates, often remaining perched just above the hot sand. Its distinctive tail, which darkens the last quarter to mimic a scorpion when alarmed, serves both as a predator deterrent and a balance aid when sprinting across loose substrates. Rated Least Concern by the IUCN, the Arabian Toad-headed Agama nevertheless relies on intact dune and wadi habitats—making ongoing habitat protection essential for its continued success.
| NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |

