Fauna and flora in the UAE

Fauna in the Emirates

As far as land animals are concerned, the symbol of the Arab world is certainly the camel, which has a firm place in the everyday life of Arabs. Traditional camel races and even camel beauty contests are held in the UAE. One such event is held in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, for example, and the owners of the most beautiful camels are awarded large financial rewards or very valuable prizes.

In addition to camels and common domestic animals, there are interesting species of protected animals in the UAE that can survive in the desert and which you hardly see in broad daylight. For example, the desert is home to a special species of desert bird that resembles a chicken, Chlamydotis undulata, a rare species of steppe lynx, the caracal, and Gordon's wild desert cat.

Among the feline carnivores, the Arabian leopard is also found in the UAE. The UAE is also home to the Arabian wolf, the striped hyena, or the wild goat, which is called the Arabian tahr. The Arabian seahorse is a highly endangered species and great care is being taken to save it. It is found, for example, in reserves in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Flora 

Although much of the UAE is covered by sandy desert, there are also interesting species of plants and animals, some of which live in the desert. Foliage is typical of oases and the area with the most vegetation is considered to be the fertile Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah. Date, banana or coconut palms, as well as papaya and citrus trees, are typical, but exotic plants in the UAE. The most important plant in the UAE for the local population in terms of livelihood is undoubtedly the date palm, the cultivation of which has a long tradition in the UAE. In addition to its tasty fruit, its leaves are also used for various household items and as feed for domestic animals. The seeds are pressed for palm oil and the trunks are used in house construction.

Archaic in appearance is the tree called Ghaf whose roots seek water up to 80 metres underground, you can also come across Gafas bushes which are adorned with yellow flowers in spring, desert hyacinths, acacia stands are also common.

Natural parks in the Emirates

The individual Emirates boast a variety of natural attractions. For example, immerse yourself in the shade of an ageless mangrove grove on the territory of Arabia, stretching across the Gulf of Khor Kalba, in the territory of the Emirate of Fujairah whose canopy is also a bird paradise. Even the inanimate desert nature in the UAE provides a wonderful spectacle in the form of sand dunes, the colour of which varies in different parts of the Emirates.

The Emirate of Sharjah has the Sharjah Desert Park, a desert park that is home to protected species of animals and plants, and also includes a zoo, a natural history museum, a kennel for endangered species, and a flower garden. Contrasting the sand dunes are the green areas of the beautiful oasis of Liwa, located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, whose other natural attraction is the sulphur lake of Al-Fayda, which is not suitable for swimming, but is certainly worth a look. On the other hand, bathing in natural mineral springs can be enjoyed at the Khatt hot waterfalls in the UAE territory of Ras al-Khaimah.