Rakws Category: Reptiles

​Scientific name: Varanus griseus

Desert Monitor is one of the largest reptiles with long body, sturdy limbs and powerful tail.

Mostly active during the day, the desert monitor often comes out to warm itself under the sun.

Their diet includes small mammals, birds, eggs and insects.

It is listed on Appendix I of CITES​

​Scientific name: Cerastes cerastes​

The Horned Viper is approximate 60-80 cm long.

It is found in desert and semi desert areas.

The diet mainly includes mammals and birds.

The horned viper makes a hissing sound and coils when feeling threatened or disturbed. It can quickly burrow itself into the sand by rapidly moving sideways until it completely blends with its environment, with only its horns visible to the sight.

List is listed as Least Concerned on the IUCN Red-List.​

​Scientific Name: Echis carinatus

Fast-striking and very poisonous snake, the Saw-scaled Viper is notorious for its aggressive temperament.

 It has a dark brown arrow-shaped mark on its head.

 It hunts mainly at night feeding on toads, lizards and eggs.​

​Scientifc name: Psammophis schokari 

One of the fastest snakes in the Middle East

It has a long and slender body extending up to 150cm.

It is active on day hunting on  small birds, lizard, rodents and other snakes.​

Scientific name:   Acanthodactylus scmidti

Found in open desert areas  with little vegetation forming burrows close to the roots of the vegetation.

The lizard has fringes alongside each toes, hence the name.

Scientific Name: Agama flavimaculata​