Common name: Hajar Banded Ground Gecko
Scientific name:Trachydactylus hajarensis
Family: Gekkonidae

Size:
SVL: up to 50 mm

Identification:
A medium-sized, robust ground gecko, easily identified by the dark bands crossing the body and tail. It also has several longitudinal rows of enlarged keeled scales on the back, giving it a rougher appearance than many smooth-bodied geckos.

Habitat:
Ground-dwelling in rocky wadis, gravelly areas, boulder fields, and Hajar Mountain foothills.

Status in the UAE:
ENDEMIC including Masirah island

Distribution:
Abundant across the Hajar Mountains and also present on Masirah Island.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds on small insects and other arthropods.

Behavior:
A nocturnal, ground-dwelling gecko that moves across rocky ground and hides under stones, cracks, and ground cover during the day.

Conservation Status:
Least Concern globally / Near Threatened regionally in the UAE atlas: NE/LC is shown in the atlas entry, while the Hajar guide marks it as endemic to the Hajar region.