Common name: Middle Eastern Short-fingered Gecko
Scientific name: Stenodactylus doriae
Family: Gekkonidae

Size:
Total length: 10–14 cm

Identification:
A small desert gecko with a slender body and relatively short, delicate toes adapted for movement on sand. Coloration is typically pale sandy or beige with faint darker bands or spots, providing excellent camouflage. The skin is slightly granular, and the tail is moderately thick, sometimes showing banding. Eyes are large with vertical pupils, suited for nocturnal activity.

Habitat:
Sandy deserts, dunes, and arid plains with loose substrate. Often found in areas with fine sand where it can burrow or hide.

Status in the UAE:
Native and common in suitable desert habitats.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects and other small invertebrates.

Behavior:
Nocturnal and active on the sand surface at night. Moves quickly across loose sand with a distinctive gait. During the day, it shelters in burrows or beneath the sand. Relies heavily on camouflage to avoid predators.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)