UAE Desert & Semi Desert Wildlife
Animals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife of the UAE desert
The deserts of the United Arab Emirates may appear empty at first glance, but they support a remarkable variety of wildlife adapted to life in one of the region's most demanding environments. Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and arachnids occupy sand dunes, sandy plains, gravel areas and sparsely vegetated desert habitats across the UAE.
Many of these animals are difficult to see. Some remain underground during the hottest part of the day, while others become active around sunrise, sunset or after darkness. Tracks, burrows and marks in the sand often reveal their presence long before the animal itself appears.
This collection documents desert and semi-desert wildlife photographed in the field, with a primary focus on species found in the United Arab Emirates. Selected photographs from Lebanon are also included where they represent desert or semi-desert species.
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) - United Arab Emirates
Cream-colored Courser (Cursorius cursor) - United Arab Emirates
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) - United Arab Emirates
Rhim Gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) - United Arab Emirates
Diadem Snake (Spalerosophis diadema) - Lebanon
Eurasian Thick-knee (Burhinus oedicnemus) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica) - United Arab Emirates
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus) - United Arab Emirates
Deathstalker Scorpion (Leiurus abullahbayrami) - Lebanon
Red-tailed Shrike (Lanius phoenicuroides) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Babbler (Argya squamiceps) - United Arab Emirates
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor) - United Arab Emirates
Grey Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) - United Arab Emirates
Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti) - United Arab Emirates
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) - United Arab Emirates
Horny Scale Agama (Trapelus ruderatus) - Lebanon
Striolated Bunting (Emberiza striolata) - United Arab Emirates
Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka) - United Arab Emirates
Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia) - United Arab Emirates
Keyserling's Wonder Gecko (Teratoscincus keyserlingii) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Horned Viper (Cerastes gasperettii) - United Arab Emirates
Cheesman's Gerbil (Gerbillus cheesmani) - United Arab Emirates
Middle Eastern Short-fingered Gecko (Stenodactylus doriae) - United Arab Emirates
Black-crowned Sparrow-lark (Eremopterix nigriceps) - United Arab Emirates
Pharaoh Eagle-owl (Bubo ascalaphus) - United Arab Emirates
Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Sand Skink (Scincus mitranus) - United Arab Emirates
Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus) - United Arab Emirates
Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus) - United Arab Emirates
Sindh Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)- United Arab Emirates
Middle Eastern Short-fingered Gecko (Stenodactylus doriae) - United Arab Emirates
Little Owl (Athene noctua) - United Arab Emirates
Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix heyi) - United Arab Emirates
Pallid Scops-owl (Otus brucei) - United Arab Emirates
Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Sand Boa (Eryx jayakari) - United Arab Emirates
Roger’s Racer (Platyceps rogersi) - Lebanon
Desert Animals of the UAE
The UAE desert supports mammals ranging from large herbivores to small nocturnal species.
The Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is one of the most recognizable animals associated with the Arabian desert. Gazelles also inhabit open desert environments, while smaller mammals such as Cheesman's Gerbil (Gerbillus cheesmani), Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus) and Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) can be considerably harder to observe.
These smaller desert animals are an important part of the ecosystem and often become most active after temperatures begin to fall.
Reptiles of the UAE Desert
Reptiles are among the most specialized inhabitants of the UAE desert.
Species documented in this collection include the Arabian Horned Viper (Cerastes gasperettii), Arabian Sand Boa (Eryx jayakari), Sindh Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus), Arabian Sand Skink (Scincus mitranus), Arabian Toad-headed Agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus), Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) and several desert geckos.
Some spend much of their lives beneath the sand or inside burrows, while others emerge after sunset to hunt, forage or move between shelters.
Birds of the UAE Desert
Desert habitats also support a diverse bird community.
Among the birds documented here are the Cream-colored Courser (Cursorius cursor), Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus), Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti), Black-crowned Sparrow-lark (Eremopterix nigriceps), Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) and Pharaoh Eagle-owl (Bubo ascalaphus).
Some are permanent residents of arid landscapes, while others use desert and semi-desert habitats seasonally or as part of wider movements across the region.
Wildlife Photography in the UAE Desert
Photographing desert wildlife requires patience and an understanding of habitat and behaviour.
Rather than searching only for animals themselves, field observation often begins with evidence: tracks crossing a dune, fresh burrows, feeding signs or subtle movement around vegetation.
The photographs in this collection were created during wildlife fieldwork and targeted photography sessions across desert and semi-desert habitats. Together they provide a visual record of the diversity that can exist within landscapes that initially appear almost empty.
Discover other habitats
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Gravel Plains
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Mountains & Wadis
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Forest
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Wetland
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Coastline
Protecting UAE Desert Wildlife
Desert ecosystems can appear resilient, but many of the places used by wildlife are easily disturbed.
Burrows, nests and resting areas can be difficult to notice from a vehicle or while walking across open desert. Off-road driving, repeated disturbance and heavy recreational use can therefore affect wildlife even when no animals are visible.
Observing wildlife from an appropriate distance, reducing unnecessary disturbance and respecting protected areas helps preserve these habitats for the species that depend on them.