More species than you may imagine
Although Qatar has a harsh desert climate with saline soils and warm seas, it has a surprisingly diverse and extensive range of flora and fauna. Approximately 1,900 documented species of animals and plants have been identified, and about 78% of terrestrial species in Qatar are considered rare.
On land, a 2002 UNESCO survey identified the following: 8 species of mammals; 371 species of plants belonging to 236 genera in 61 families; 242 species of birds; 142 species of fungi; 1 species of amphibian; 228 species of invertebrates; and 29 species of reptiles. The marine species identified include: 379 species of invertebrates; 20 species of birds; 136 species of fish; 15 species of reptile; 402 species of flora and 3 species of mammals.
Invertebrates include spiders, scorpions, centipedes, ticks and insects. The smaller mammals recorded include Ethiopian Hedgehog, Cape Hare, House Rat and Cheesman’s Gerbil.
Terrestrial and Marine Animals
Life in the seas is considerably varied, with porpoise, prawn, dolphin, king mackerel, shark, grouper and swordfish. The richest fishing grounds are in the northeast of Qatar. There are also gigantic whale sharks which stay further offshore. There are a number of species of jellyfish as well as five species of sea-snakes, and numerous seashells can be found along the shores.
Both the critically endangered hawksbill turtle and the endangered green sea turtle can be found and nest on offshore islands as well as on the northeast coast, particularly around Rass Laffan Idustrial City.
The dugong is listed as vulnerable but has been found in large numbers on the southwest coast. These sea cows are believed to have given rise to the legend of mermaids.
Bird life
Birdlife in Qatar is prolific, with birdwatchers having identified almost 300 species, ranging from sparrow-sized bulbuls to ostriches, once found wandering freely on the peninsula and now being reintroduced to the wild. Among the migratory birds is the bee-eater, a spectacularly coloured bird that arrives in September and March and rests for about one week before continuing on its journey. The impressively crestedhoopoe is almost as colourful and lives in Qatar all year round.
Among the resident birds are huge colonies of green parrots, all descended from birds that escaped captivity.
The vulnerable Socotra cormorant, Western Reef egret and several species of terns breed on some of the offshore islands. Outside the breeding season, the coast supports important numbers of the Socotra cormorant, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Many species of water birds have been seen at the freshwater wetlands inland but numbers are generally low.
Other birds found in Qatar include flamingo, kestrel, plover, lark and other migrants. King of the seabirds, the osprey, is prevalent in many coastal areas and some nest on tall buildings in Doha. Their nests on the small offshore islands are huge since they return to and extend the same nest year after year. They are often just a depression in the sand – in some instances they leave the eggs to hatch in the warmth of the sun, rather than sitting on the nest to incubate them.
Arabian oryx and other desert animals
Several protected areas have bred endangered species for reintroduction to the wild. A small herd of Arabian Oryx was successfully bred in captivity at
Qatar’s Arabian Oryx Breeding Centre and moved to three reserves. The Oryx herd in the country is now over 700 while the number of Reem Gazelle reintroduced is in excess of 3,500. An Oryx park was first created in 1979, drawing on stock from private collections in the country. The animal is well adapted to desert life, but was almost hunted into extinction in the 1960s.
The Oryx is a gregarious antelope, covering 25 km each night to reach its favourite grazing areas. The average lifespan is 25 years, and it stands between 90 cm and 1m 20 cm at the shoulder and can weigh up to 150 kg. The Oryx can go for long periods without water and can tolerate dehydration of up to 20% of its body weight. Arabian Oryx usually breed from the age of two and a half, with a gestation period of 240-260 days. At birth, the calf’s coat is grey, changing to white and reddish brown as it gets older. Striking black and white patches develop on the nose, cheeks and the top of the head between the horns. The legs darken, the colour fading up towards the chest and a black tuft develops at the end of the tail.
Oryx Leucoryx (known locally as M’hat or Al Wodhi, ‘the clear’) is Qatar’s national animal and may have inspired the legend of the Unicorn. The two long and straight, but annulated (ringed), horns are perfectly aligned when seen from the side, looking like one.
Occasionally an Arabian Fox can be found in the desert living in burrows dug out from the sand, emerging to hunt at night. The long-eared Cape Hare is found extensively in the north and has even appeared on small islands. The Lesser Jerboa with tiny forelimbs and long back legs are also particularly active around twilight time. They have just three toes and can jump many times their own height.
The amazing Ethiopian Hedgehog can occasionally be seen at night running fast across the dunes, keeping its body high above the hot sand, its legs appearing abnormally long. Bats are often found in the limestone caverns and also in palm groves at dusk.
Geckoes are frequently found indoors while Skinks can be seen in many gardens. The large stone-coloured Dhub blends so well with the rocky desert that it is hard to spot until it moves. When times were hard, its tail was a delicacy. In flat desert areas their burrows look like rabbit holes and are extensive, with multiple entrances.
Even harder to spot is the Worrall, a much smaller lizard that often has a bright orange or sky blue tail. Unless you disturb them they sit motionless on rocks, warming themselves to raise their body temperature after a night’s sleep. If you get too close, they will disappear with a flick of their tail.
The majority of Qatar’s snakes are quite harmless, the most common being the Rat Snake, very occasionally found in gardens.
Scorpions can be found in the desert, and though poisonous, they only attack when disturbed. However, it is always wise to shake out shoes in the morning on camping trips.
Wild bees sometimes build honey combs in gardens while there are a number of bee-keepers producing honey in the country.
Further information
