Tuesday 07 / January / 2025
Ibra: The Environment Authority in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate spotted seven species of wild reptiles, according to the initial survey in the governorate.
The initial findings of the survey showed a large distribution of the reptiles in the mountain areas and wadis while the distribution of some species of reptiles are limited to plain lands and deserts, which shows the different environment adaptation of each species and the impact of the climate conditions such as the high temperatures and drought conditions on the behaviour and distribution of reptiles.
The field survey of reptiles in the governorate aimed to provide updated data, geographic distribution maps and interaction of reptiles with the environment.
The survey also aimed to register all species, to document their distribution and environment conditions. The Atlas of Oman’s wild reptiles, issued by the Environment Authority has documented more than 101 species of reptiles in the Sultanate of Oman, representing some 50% of the total species of reptiles in the Arabian Peninsula including 21 species of snakes and 80 species of lizards.
North Al Sharqiyah Governorate is known for its unique environment and topography including the mountainous and desert areas, plain lands and wadis, which made it ideal for the presence of different species of wild reptiles.
Said Saif Al Busafi, Environment Inspector at the Environment Department in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, said that the field survey covered three wilayats in the governorate which are the wilayats of Dima Wal Ta’en; Al Qabil and Ibra. The survey work in these wilayats was done with GIS technology to provide comprehensive data, distribution maps and interaction of reptiles with the various environments, he added.-
