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 () if the animal is responsible for at least one human fatality
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][6]
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. .[7] Though uncommon, it has been reported in the country. [8]
Gekkonidae is a large family of cosmopolitan lizards. It is a remarkably diverse family with upwards of a thousand species.[9] Bearing specially-designed pads on their toes, geckos are granted effective adhesion to several surfaces. Vernacularly known as “بريعصي [10]", there are at least 10 species in Qatar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Agamidae is a large family of Old World lizards distributed across a multitude of habitats. Globally, the family contains approximately 350 species [11]
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 .[12] They are primarily terrestrial and insectivorous
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.
Colubridae is the largest family of snakes, with over 230 species.[16] They are primarily constrictors, however there are some species that possess venom.
Hydrophiinae is a family of snakes, most of which are highly venomous.[17] They inhabit coastal environments and are specially adapted for an aquatic lifestyle
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.[21]
Elapidae is a family of highly venomous snakes with non-retractable fangs. It includes the well-known cobras. There are over 300 [25] species in the family
Exclusively nocturnal, this species inhabits east Arabia. It prefers vegetated sandy habitats
Related Research Articles
Elapidae is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydocephalus. Many members of this family exhibit a threat display of rearing upwards while spreading out a neck flap. Elapids are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, with terrestrial forms in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas and marine forms in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Members of the family have a wide range of sizes, from the 18 cm (7.1 in) white-lipped snake to the 5.85 m king cobra. Most species have neurotoxic venom that is channeled by their hollow fangs, and some may contain other toxic components in various proportions. The family includes 55 genera with some 360 species and over 170 subspecies.
Belize is a country with a rich variety of wildlife, due to its unique position between North and South America, and a wide range of climates and habitats for plant and animal life. Belize's low human population, and approximately 8,867 square miles (22,970 km2) of undistributed land, provides an ideal home for more than 5000 species of plants, and vast numbers species of animals — with several hundred vertebrates including armadillos, snakes, and monkeys.
Toxicofera is a proposed clade of scaled reptiles (squamates) that includes the Serpentes (snakes), Anguimorpha and Iguania. Toxicofera contains about 4,600 species, of extant Squamata. It encompasses all venomous reptile species, as well as numerous related non-venomous species. There is little morphological evidence to support this grouping; however, it has been recovered by all molecular analyses as of 2012.
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) if the animal is responsible for at least one human fatality
