Gravel Plains Wildlife of the UAE
At first glance, the gravel plains of the United Arab Emirates can appear almost empty—wide expanses of stone, compact ground and sparse vegetation stretching towards the Hajar Mountains. Look more carefully, however, and these open landscapes reveal a remarkably specialised wildlife community.
Formed largely from gravel and sediment carried out of the mountains through wadis, the plains create a transitional habitat between the UAE’s sandy deserts and rocky mountain systems. Birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates use these open landscapes for feeding, shelter, breeding and movement, with many species relying on camouflage to disappear almost completely against the ground.
Cream-colored Courser (Cursorius cursor) - United Arab Emirates
Rhim Gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) - United Arab Emirates
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica) - United Arab Emirates
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus) - United Arab Emirates
Arabian Babbler (Argya squamiceps) - United Arab Emirates
Deathstalker Scorpion (Leiurus abullahbayrami) - Lebanon
Grey Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) - United Arab Emirates
Desert Lark (Ammomanes deserti) - United Arab Emirates
Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) - United Arab Emirates
Striolated Bunting (Emberiza striolata) - United Arab Emirates
Black Tarantula (Chaetopelma olivaceum) - Lebanon
Camel Spider (Galeodes arabs) - United Arab Emirates
Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) - United Arab Emirates
Black-crowned Sparrow-lark (Eremopterix nigriceps) - United Arab Emirates
Sand Partridge (Ammoperdix heyi) - United Arab Emirates
Sindh Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)- United Arab Emirates
Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) - United Arab Emirates
Horny Scale Agama (Trapelus ruderatus) - Lebanon
Egyptian Agama (Laudakia vulgaris) - Lebanon
Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) - Lebanon
Large-clawed Burrowing Scorpion (Scorpio maurus) - Lebanon
Jayakar’s Scorpion (Hottentotta jayakari) - United Arab Emirates
Judaicus Scorpion (Hottentotta judaicus) - Lebanon
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) - United Arab Emirates
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) - United Arab Emirates
Striolated Bunting (Emberiza striolata) - United Arab Emirates
Why Gravel Plains Matter
Gravel plains may appear less dramatic than towering dunes or mountain wadis, but they form an important part of the UAE's desert ecosystem. Their open terrain, sparse vegetation, shallow drainage channels and connection with nearby mountains create habitat for wildlife adapted to exposed and extremely arid conditions.
Many of these species are difficult to detect. Ground-dwelling birds rely heavily on camouflage, reptiles may remain concealed during the hottest parts of the day, and mammals often become more active during the cooler hours. The apparent emptiness of the landscape can therefore be misleading—the wildlife is often present long before we notice it.
Discover other habitats
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Mountains & Wadis
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Desert & Semi Desert
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Forest
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Wetland
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Coastline