Biology:List of reptiles in Qatar

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A satellite map of Qatar taken in 2003

Qatar is a nation situated eastwards of the Arabian peninsula of which it is considered a part of. Upwards of 30 reptile species [1] have been recorded as living in the country. Most of the country is arid, with a presence of dunes in the far south, close to neighbouring Saudi Arabia.[2]

Qatar possesses three forms of environment in which reptiles can be observed - Arid, urban, and marine. The country is relatively even in height and low, as its highest natural point is only 103 metres above sea level. [3]

There are several species that are considered dangerous,[4] thus an exclamation mark (!) will be used to highlight a species that may cause harm to humans, and a skull ( Executed) if the animal is responsible for at least one human fatality

Sea turtles

Order: Testudines   Family: Cheloniidae

Cheloniidae is a family of sea turtles with cosmopolitan distribution. The family contains seven species in five genera. Two of these species have been recorded in Qatar.[5] "Fuwairit". https://www.google.com/s/www.dohanews.co/amp/first-endangered-hawksbill-sea-turtles-hatch-at-fuwairit-beach-in-qatar. 

Common name Binomial name Carapace length Mass Global status Global trend Distribution Image
Green turtle Chelonia mydas 150 cm (59 in) 160 kg (350 lb) Endangered Decrease Primarily aquatic. May be found at coasts or islands where it comes to nest. 175px
Hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata) 100 cm (39 in) 80 kg (180 lb) Critically endangered Decrease Primarily aquatic, and most likely to nest in Fuwairit given its soft sand 175px

Leatherback turtle

Order: Testudines   Family: Dermochelyidae

Dermochelyidae is a family of turtles which historically had 7 species. Currently, only one species still exists - the leatherback turtle. It is the largest member of its order, and the third-largest reptile in terms of average mass. .[6] Though uncommon, it has been reported in the country. [7]

Common name Binomial name Carapace length Mass Global status Trend Distribution Image
Leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea 230 cm (91 in) 600 kg (1,300 lb) Vulnerable Decrease Primarily aquatic, rare to see in the country. 175px

Geckos

Order: Squamata   Family: Gekkonidae

Gekkonidae is a large family of cosmopolitan lizards. It is a remarkably diverse family with upwards of a thousand species.[8] Bearing specially-designed pads on their toes, geckos are granted effective adhesion to several surfaces. Vernacularly known as “بريعصي [9]", there are at least 10 species in Qatar.

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Big-headed gecko Stenodactylus slevini 10 cm (3.9 in) Least concern Steady A nocturnal lizard. It inhabits compact dry environments with shrubs. 175px
Northern house gecko Stenodactylus slevini 15 cm (5.9 in) Least concern Increase This nocturnal lizard favours urban environments, inhabiting homes as well as abandoned ruins where it may find insect prey. Individuals can be found hiding in crevices or under surfaces. 175px
Baluch stone gecko Bunopus tuberculatus 10 cm (3.9 in) Least concern Steady Like other nocturnal lizard, the stone gecko inhabits arid and rural regions. During the day, it prefers to hide under rocks and is active at night, searching the habitat for food. 175px
Keeled rock gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum 10 cm (3.9 in) Least concern Steady Prefers to hide out in uninhabited towns and buildings during the day. 175px
Arabian sand gecko Trigonodactylus arabicus 12 cm (4.7 in) Least concern Steady Hides in burrows during the day. It is strictly ground-dwelling and may be found in open deserts or at dunes in the south and Doha during nighttime
Gulf sand gecko Pseudoceramodactylus khobarensis 12 cm (4.7 in) Least concern Decrease Found in mainland Qatar as well as the offshore islands in which it was first observed. It prefers soil and soft sand and may be encountered in beaches.
Hayden's gecko Hemidactylus robustus 10 cm (3.9 in) Least concern Increase Found on the mainland, it tolerates a wide variety of habitat. Hiding during the day, it can be found in fields, sparse semi-deserts and urban environments.
Persian leaf-toed gecko Hemidactylus persicus 10 cm (3.9 in) Least concern Steady Endemic to Halul island, has not been found in the mainland. Found elsewhere in the Persian Gulf 175px

Agamids

Order: Squamata   Family: Agamidae

Agamidae is a large family of Old World lizards distributed across a multitude of habitats. Globally, the family contains approximately 350 species [10]

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Jayakar's agama Agama flavimaculata 25 cm (9.8 in) Least concern Steady Diurnal and found in open rocky areas. In breeding season, males acquire extreme colour changes as the head becomes blue and the tail red. 175px
Sinai agama Pseudotrapelus sinaitus 25 cm (9.8 in) Least concern Increase Similar to the Jayakar's agama in both behaviour and shape. 175px
Toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus arabicus 20 cm (7.9 in) Least concern Steady This species is diurnal and prefers soft sand, as is found in the dunes at Doha. 175px
Giant spike-tailed agama Uromastyx aegyptia 75 cm (30 in) Vulnerable Decrease Prefers open desert throughout the country, particularly arid regions with dense sand, allowing it to burrow 175px

Skinks

Order: Squamata   Family: Scincidae

Scincidae is a family of lizards, commonly known as skinks. It is one of the biggest families in the entire order, bearing well over 1,500 species .[11] They are primarily terrestrial and insectivorous

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Eastern sandfish Scincus mitranus 20 cm (7.9 in) Least concern Steady A diurnal lizard, this species is found in the south of the countries exclusively inhabiting dunes, as it dives under the sand when a threat is perceived. 175px
Ocellated skink Chalcides ocellatus 26 cm (10 in) Least concern Steady Inhabits overgrowth and meadow-like environments in Qatar. May be found in parks as a result. 175px
Golden grass-skink Heremites septemtaeniatus 18 cm (7.1 in) Least concern Steady Possibly introduced, this skink exclusively inhabits man-made habitats like gardens and lawns in the country

Monitors

Order: Squamata   Family: Varanidae

Varanidae is a family of highly predatory and venomous lizards in the old world. There are about 45 species,[12] one of which is found in Qatar.

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Desert monitor (!) Varanus griseus 110 cm (43 in) Least concern Decrease Once Common throughout open deserts in the country, this is now a scarce species. It prefers vast plains where it can spot and chase down prey. 175px

True Lizards

Order: Squamata   Family: Lacertidae

Lacertidae is a family diverse family of lizards, of which the entire suborder derived its name [13]

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Fringe-toed sand lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus 15 cm (5.9 in) Least concern Steady Found in coastal plains, oases and cultivated regions. Diurnal. 175px
Nidua Acanthodactylus scutellatus 15 cm (5.9 in) Least concern Steady Prefers open desert and shrubbery. 175px
Short-nosed desert lizard Eremias brevirostris 15 cm (5.9 in) Least concern Steady Found nationwide in scrubs, as well as wide sandy areas.
Arnold's fringe-fingered lizard Acanthodactylus opheodurus 18 cm (7.1 in) Least concern Steady Inhabits arid desert with shrubbery, particularly because females deposit eggs in holes dug under bushes. 175px
Schmidt's fringe-fingered lizard Acanthodactylus opheodurus 18 cm (7.1 in) Least concern Steady Found in more Sandy areas, especially dunes near the capital Doha 175px
Hadramout sand lizard Mesalina adramitana 12 cm (4.7 in) Least concern N/A Found in more Sandy areas, especially dunes near the capital Doha 175px

Palaearctic worm-lizard

Order: Squamata   Family: Trogonophidae

Trogonophidae is a family of amphisbaenians. They do not possess any limbs and engage in a primarily underground lifestyle. [14]

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Arabian worm-lizard Diplometopon zarudnyi 30 cm (12 in) Least concern Steady Inhabiting soft soils as well as caves, thus subterranean animal is not common in the country due to its adapted habitat. 175px

Colubrids

Order: Squamata   Family: Colubridae

Colubridae is the largest family of snakes, with over 230 species.[15] They are primarily constrictors, however there are some species that possess venom.

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Glossy-bellied racer Platyceps ventromaculatus 120 cm (47 in) Least concern Steady This non-venomous snake prefers both desert and man-made environments especially to hide. 175px
Afro-Asian sand snake Psammophis schokari 100 cm (39 in) Least concern ? Mildly venomous, or prefers areas with vegetation and avoids barren desert. 175px
False cobra Malpolon moilensis 170 cm (67 in) Least concern Steady Found further from urban environments, preferring to inhabit open desert and barren outcrops. 175px
Crowned leaf-nosed snake Lytorhinchus diadema 30 cm (12 in) Least concern Steady This small non-venomous snake lives all across the country, preferring soft sand and gravel plains. 175px
Diadem ratsnake Spalerosophis diadema 170 cm (67 in) Least concern Steady Mildly venomous snake, found in sandy habitats and open desert in Qatar, as well as Savannahs elsewhere. 175px
Dwarf crowned racer Eirenis coronella 30 cm (12 in) Least concern Steady A non venomous snake that inhabits temperate environments. In Qatar it prefers man-made agricultural habitats. 175px

Sea snakes

Order: Squamata   Family: Hydrophiinae

Hydrophiinae is a family of snakes, most of which are highly venomous.[16] They inhabit coastal environments and are specially adapted for an aquatic lifestyle

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Blue-banded sea snake  Executed [17] Hydrophis cyanocinctus 180 cm (71 in) Least concern ? A highly venomous snake that inhabits shallow waters in the indo-pacific. 175px
Persian Gulf sea snake Hydrophis lapemoides 95 cm (37 in) Least concern Steady Common in the Indian Ocean. May be found in coastal waters and reefs
Yellow banded sea-snake (!) [18] Pelamis pelaturus 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in) Least concern ? Perhaps the largest sea snake, it inhabits shallow water in the Indo-pacific.
Yellow-bellied sea snake  Executed.[19] Pelamis platurus 65 cm (26 in) Least concern Steady Very flattened and adaptable when it comes to marine environments; may be found in deeper water. 175px

Vipers

Order: Squamata   Family: Viperidae

Viperidae is a family of highly venomous snakes found throughout the majority of the mainland continents. It is a relatively diverse family with more than 200 species.[20]

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Arabian horned viper (!) [21] Cerastes gasperettii 75 cm (30 in) Least concern Steady Distributed through the peninsula, this viper prefers vegetated habitats with soft sand in which it partially buries itself. 175px
Saw-scaled viper Executed [22] Echis carinatus 50 cm (20 in) Least concern Steady Found in man-made habitats as well as deserts from the Indian subcontinent to the Arabian peninsula 175px

Boas

Order: Squamata   Family: Boidae

Boidae is a family of nonvenomous constricting snakes that inhabit tropical and semi-tropical regions. There are over 40 [23] species in the family

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Arabian sand boa Eryx jayakari 40 cm (16 in) Least concern Steady Widespread across the peninsula as well as Iran. It hides under deep sand in the day and is only active during darkness 175px

Elapids

Order: Squamata   Family: Elapidae

Elapidae is a family of highly venomous snakes with non-retractable fangs. It includes the well-known cobras. There are over 300 [24] species in the family

Common name Binomial name Length Global status Trend Habitat and distribution Image
Desert black snake  Executed[25] Walterinnesia morgani 60 cm (24 in) Least concern Decrease Exclusively nocturnal, this species inhabits east Arabia. It prefers vegetated Sandy habitats 175px

References

  1. "species". https://www.enature.qa/kingdom/reptiles/. 
  2. "South". https://www.offbeatqatar.com/place/singing-sand-dunes/. 
  3. "height". http://www.qatartourism.gov.qa/discover/index/1/175. 
  4. "threat". https://a-z-animals.com/animals/location/asia/qatar/. 
  5. "sea turtle". http://www.qu.edu.qa/static_file/qu/research/ESC/Books/na-2000.pdf. 
  6. "Magnitude". https://conserveturtles.org/information-about-sea-turtles-leatherback-sea-turtle/. 
  7. "Qatar leatherback". https://www.cms.int/iosea-turtles/en/news/sea-turtles-qatar-conservation-status-update. 
  8. "Geckos". https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/obl4he/vertebratediversity/gekkota.html. 
  9. "Bre3sy". https://www.alfaraena.com/معلومات-هامه-عن-البريعصي/. 
  10. "Species agamidae". https://www.britannica.com/animal/Agamidae. 
  11. "Skink species". https://insider.si.edu/2012/06/speaking-of-skinks-four-new-species/. 
  12. "Species Varanidae". https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/varanidae. 
  13. "Lizard names". https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lacertilia. 
  14. "Trogonophidae". https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Trogonophis&species=wiegmanni. 
  15. "Colubridae species". https://www.britannica.com/animal/colubrid. 
  16. "Hydrophiinae venom". https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/hydrophiinae. 
  17. "BB seasnake venom". https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Hydrophis-cyanocinctus.html. 
  18. "YB seasnake venom". https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8064939/. 
  19. "Yellow-bellied Sea-Snake (Hydrophis platurus)". https://www.reptilesofecuador.com/hydrophis_platurus.html. 
  20. "YB seasnake venom". https://www.britannica.com/animal/viper-snake. 
  21. "AH viper venom". https://www.google.com/s/scialert.net/fulltext/amp.php%3fdoi=jms.2005.253.259. 
  22. "SS viper venom". https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/866568/. 
  23. "Boidae species". https://www.britannica.com/animal/boa-snake-family. 
  24. "Elapidae species". https://www.britannica.com/animal/elapid. 
  25. "Walterinnesia morgani death". https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51684161_Case_Report_of_Probable_Desert_Black_Snake_Envenomation_in_22-YearOld_Male_Causing_Profound_Weakness_and_Respiratory_Distress.