Sand dunes

Sand dunes and sheets of different types cover by far the largest proportion of the United Arab Emirates, ranging from vast, flat expanses to the impressive mega-dunes which are a prominent feature of the landscape, especially in the south of the country. Perhaps surprisingly, sand dunes are home to a wide variety of very well-adapted desert specialists…

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Species 1 - 50 of 219 [ next ]

Alexandrian senna (Senna alexandrina)
A member of the pea family, the herbaceous Alexandrian senna (Senna alexandrina) is one of the most extensively collected species of desert... More 1 Image 0 videos
Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
A magnificently vibrant green, red and pink bird, the Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) is native to south and south-east Asia, but... More 9 Images 2 Videos
Alhagi (Alhagi graecorum)
Information on Alhagi graecorum is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Amaranthus (Amaranthus albus)
Information on Amaranthus albus is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos
Amaranthus (Amaranthus hybridus)
Information on Amaranthus hybridus is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 3 Images 0 videos
Anastatica (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Information on Anastatica hierochuntica is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 9 Images 0 videos
Anchusa (Anchusa aegyptiaca)
Information about Anchusa aegyptiaca is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos
Anthemis (Anthemis melampodina)
Information on Anthemis melampodina is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 5 Images 0 videos
Anticharis (Anticharis glandulosa)
Information on Anticharis glandulosa is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos
Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica)
A common sight on trees and bushes in summer months, the Arabian cicada (Platypleura arabica) is also well known throughout its range for... More 2 Images 0 videos
Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda)
The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus crassicauda) is a formidable predator, with a thick, powerful tail that is equipped with a... More 6 Images 0 videos
Arabian horned viper (Cerastes gasperettii)
The Arabian horned viper is one of three currently recognised species of horned viper, a group which is recognisable for the distinctive... More 7 Images 3 Videos
Arabian oxeye (Anvillea garcinii)
The Arabian oxeye (Anvillea garcinii) is a woody perennial shrub with crinkly, oval, grey or grey-green leaves which taper towards the base... More 4 Images 0 videos
Arabian primrose (Arnebia hispidissima)
Information on the Arabian primrose (Arnebia hispidissima) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos
Arabian sand boa (Eryx jayakari)
One of the smallest boa species, the Arabian sand boa is the only boa found in south-east Arabia, and one of the most common snakes in the... More 8 Images 2 Videos
Arabian sand gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus)
A small and attractively marked gecko, the Arabian sand gecko is unusual for its webbed feet, which increase the surface area for burrowing... More 4 Images 0 videos
Arabian toad (Bufo arabicus)
The Arabian toad (Bufo arabicus) is one of only nine species of amphibian found in the Arabian Peninsula, and by far the most common of the... More 4 Images 0 videos
Arabian toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus)
The Arabian toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus arabicus) is a member of the Agamidae family, also known as the chisel-teeth lizards due... More 8 Images 0 videos
Arenaria (Arenaria leptoclados)
Information on Arenaria leptoclados is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos
Arfaj (Rhanterium epapposum)
A dwarf shrub with spherical foliage and beautiful, large, yellow-brown inflorescences, the arfaj, the national flower of Kuwait, grows in... More 4 Images 0 videos
Aristida (Aristida adscensionis)
Information on Aristida adscensionis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Arnebia (Arnebia linearifolia)
Information on Arnebia linearifolia is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos
Asparagus (Asparagus stipularis)
Information on Asparagus stipularis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Astragalus (Astragalus annularis)
Information on Astragalus annularis is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos
Astragalus (Astragalus arpilobus)
Information on Astragalus arpilobus is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos
Astragalus (Astragalus hamosus)
Information on Astragalus hamosus is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 5 Images 0 videos
Astragalus (Astragalus tribuloides)
Information on Astragalus tribuloides is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 7 Images 0 videos
Astragalus (Astragalus vogelii)
Information on Astragalus vogelii is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos
Atractylis (Atractylis carduus)
Information on Atractylis carduus is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 7 Images 0 videos
Atriplex (Atriplex tatarica)
Information on Atriplex tatarica is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Awl-headed snake (Lytorhynchus diadema)
A little-known, burrow-dwelling reptile, the most distinctive feature of the awl-headed snake is its shovel-shaped, projecting snout which... More 4 Images 0 videos
Baillon’s crake (Porzana pusilla)
A tiny member of the Rallidae family, a group of ground-dwelling waterbirds comprising the rails, coots and crakes, Baillon’s crake is a... More 8 Images 1 Video
Bar-tailed lark (Ammomanes cinctura)
Discovered by Charles Darwin on the Cape Verde Islands off the north-west of Africa, the bar-tailed lark is a small, relatively plain... More 4 Images 1 Video
Bassia (Bassia muricata)
Information on Bassia muricata is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos
Bay-backed shrike (Lanius vittatus)
A strikingly coloured, delicately built and fine-billed shrike, the bay-backed shrike is a beautiful bird of South Asia. The most... More 11 Images 1 Video
Black bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans)
Information on the black bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 5 Images 0 videos
Black pennant (Selysiothemis nigra)
A small and graceful dragonfly, the black pennant (Selysiothermis nigra) is distinguished by its large, fragile-looking wings and... More 4 Images 0 videos
Black scrub-robin (Cercotrichas podobe)
The black scrub-robin (Cercotrichas podobe) is a long-legged bird with almost entirely greyish-black plumage and a distinctly long tail... More 9 Images 0 videos
Blue-spotted arab (Colotis phisadia)
Information on the blue-spotted arab is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 4 Images 0 videos
Blumea (Blumea bovei)
Information on Blumea bovei is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 1 Image 0 videos
Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)
The booted eagle is a small, stocky eagle with a rounded head and heavily feathered legs. It occurs in two main colour forms that are almost... More 12 Images 1 Video
Brachiaria (Brachiaria eruciformis)
Information on Brachiaria eruciformis is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 2 Images 0 videos
Brachiaria (Brachiaria reptans)
Information on Brachiaria reptans is being researched and written and will appear here shortly.
... More 5 Images 0 videos
Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus)
With its sharply contrasting plumage, the widespread Brahminy kite is an unmistakeable bird of prey. While its head, neck, throat, upper... More 10 Images 2 Videos
Brown shrike (Lanius cristatus)
Information on the brown shrike is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos
Brown-necked raven (Corvus ruficollis)
A large, attractive corvid with glossy plumage, the brown-necked raven (Corvus ruficollis) has distinctive, elongated, pointed and often... More 11 Images 0 videos
Cape hare (Lepus capensis)
A widespread and abundant species, the Cape hare is a typical hare in appearance, with long, slender limbs, large hind feet, a short tail... More 12 Images 2 Videos
Caspian plover (Charadrius asiaticus)
The Caspian plover is a slim, upright bird with long, thin legs which allow it to wade in shallow water, and a black, narrow, pointed bill... More 9 Images 0 videos
Cenchrus (Cenchrus setigerus)
Information on Cenchrus setigerus is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 8 Images 0 videos
Centaurea (Centaurea pseudosinaica)
Information on Centaurea pseudosinaica is being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 6 Images 0 videos