Gulf sand gecko  (Stenodactylus khobarensis)

This species has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

The Gulf sand gecko is a small, rather delicate-looking gecko with long, thin legs, rounded toes and a relatively narrow tail (2) (3). Like other geckos, the head is large, with large eyes and vertical pupils (3) (4), and in this species is triangular in shape, with a pointed snout (2). The body is generally sand coloured, mottled with brown and paler on the underside, while the tail has light and dark bars (5). The male Gulf sand gecko is slightly smaller than the female (2). Interestingly, the structure of this gecko’s toes appears to be adapted to prevent the feet from becoming clogged with the particular type of sand on which it lives, with an arrangement of small, granular scales on the surface that prevents sand from adhering (6).

The Gulf sand gecko occurs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (1) (2) (7).

This species inhabits coastal salt flats known as ‘sabhkas’, where the sand is relatively firm (3) (5) (6) (8). It is reported to be particularly abundant in hummocky areas on which small, salt-tolerant shrubs grow (6), as well as on sandy stretches at the foot of rocks (2).

The Gulf sand gecko is a ground-dwelling species that is active at night (2) (5), and, like other geckos, is likely to hunt insects and other small invertebrates (4). Like the related Arabian sand gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus), the female may lay a single egg (3). However, little else is known about the biology of this small lizard.

There is little information available on the threats faced by the Gulf sand gecko. In areas such as the United Arab Emirates, it may potentially be impacted by a range of threats to its habitat, including urbanisation, industrial development, overgrazing, overextraction of groundwater and pollution. Increasing tourism may also pose a threat, particularly in the coastal areas this species inhabits (9). The Gulf sand gecko is reported to be relatively rare in the pet trade (2), but the status of the wild population is currently unknown.

There are currently no specific conservation measures known to be in place for this small gecko. In the United Arab Emirates, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is working to protect and conserve biodiversity in the region, and to promote sustainable development (10). However, much more research will be needed into the biology and status of the Gulf sand gecko before specific conservation action can be taken for the species, which has yet to be assessed by the IUCN (11).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

To find out more about this and other sand geckos see:

• Hellyer, P. and Aspinall, S. (2005) The Emirates: A Natural History. Trident Press Limited, London.
• J. Craig Venter Institute - Reptiles Database:
  http://www.jcvi.org/reptiles/search.php

For more information on conservation in the United Arab Emirates see:

• The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi:
  http://www.ead.ae/en/