Deserts all over the world abound with reptiles and Saudi Arabia is no exception with 76 species of terrestrial lizards, 41 snake varieties and five different types of turtles recorded in the surrounding seas.

Lizards are the most often encountered reptile. While common house geckos are the only gecko species found exclusively near human residences, other kinds of gecko live in the sand dunes or rocky areas and are mostly active at night. Like skinks, lizards belonging to the agamid or lacertid families are often seen foraging or sunning themselves in the daytime.

There are no venomous lizards in Saudi Arabia but there are a few snakes which can be dangerous. An easy way to identify a poisonous viper is by looking at the head – a large triangular head with an obviously smaller neck belongs to a viper, while a bullet-shaped narrow head belongs to a rear-fanged snake that poses little or no danger.

There is no need to fear an attack as snakes will likely flee when they sense your presence. Be careful where you put your hands and feet however, as you may take them by surprise while they're lying or warming up on the sand’s surface. They sometimes bury themselves in the sand and can disappear almost completely, with only their contours or eyes visible.

ARABIAN TOAD

Sclerophrys

Arabian toads are a common toad species found in Saudi Arabia. In times of drought, they burrow in the mud and can hibernate for as long as several years. They lay eggs in a long string that resembles black pearls. After rain, wadi pools often become home to thousands of tadpoles. Arabian toads are preyed upon by vipers and other snakes. To protect themselves from predators, their skin produces a repellent secretion which discourages animals from consuming them. Arabian toads live near waterfalls, wadi beds and temporary lakes.

ARABIAN TOAD-HEADED AGAMA

Phrynocephalus arabicus

Arabian toad-headed agamas are one of many common lizard species seen both in sandy areas and on gravel plains. They blend perfectly into their surroundings, and when threatened, shake their bodies vigorously to sink beneath the sand and disappear from view. They're known to display interesting mating behaviour, curling their tails to resemble a scorpion and playing dead to attract the attention of a mate. They may be found in a wide range of habitats, from sand dunes to shorelines and rocky plains.

BLUE-HEADED AGAMA

Pseudotrapelus sinaitus

These striking blue agamas can often be seen basking in the sun, displaying their vivid colours against backdrops of dark rocks. Their display is intended to attract the attention of the opposite sex, but it can also make them stand out to predators. For such eventualities, they can discard their tails to distract their hunters as they make a speedy getaway. Their tails will grow back within a few weeks. These agamas are often seen in the Asir Mountains, Hijaz Mountains and rocky wadis.

BOSC’S OR SAUDI FRINGE-TOED LIZARD

Acantodactylus boskianus, or A. gongrorhynchatus

Common and curious, these lizards are active and can often be seen darting between rocks. They live on sparsely vegetated rocky plains and hills and feed on grasshoppers, flies and other insects. They can grow to 20cm in length, including their tails, which they can detach to escape danger. Their feet have long, slender fringed digits. During mating, the male holds the female with his snout, immobilising her. What looks like fighting is in fact a mating ritual.

DESERT OR GREY MONITOR

Varanus griseus

Monitors are the largest of the lizards in this region, growing up to 1.2m long. Roughly two-thirds of their body length is made up by their thin whip-like tails. These lizards – called 'wirral' in Arabic – are scavengers, and because they eat carrion, their bite can cause severe infection even though it isn't poisonous as such. They also snack on live smaller animals, such as rodents and other lizards. These impressive lizards live in burrows and can cover large areas in search of prey. They're mostly seen in the Eastern Region.

ROCK SEMAPHORE GECKO

Pristurus rupestris

Active during the day, these small geckos are recognised by the horizontal white stripes that run through each of their eyes. They can be found sitting on rock faces mainly in flat, hard, sandy, barren regions and gravel plains, as well as on the walls of deserted buildings, waiting to catch prey. These geckos can convey a whole range of messages by the posture of their tails and bodies, hence their name. Most species of gecko found in Saudi Arabia are nocturnal and therefore have big eyes.

HORNED VIPER

Cerastes cerastes

There are several vipers in Saudi Arabia and you can consider yourself lucky if you encounter one. Horned vipers are sand coloured, have triangular heads like all vipers and small horns on top of their heads. They're passive hunters that ambush prey by waiting partially covered in sand or under a bush or grass where they blend in perfectly with their environment. Although they're venomous, they're shy and non-aggressive, and won't attack unprovoked. However, their effective camouflage can make it difficult to see them, so if you're in the dunes, watch out for tell-tale zigzag marks in the sand. Seek medical help if bitten.

SAND SKINK OR SAND FISH

Scincus mitranus

You have to be an early riser to catch a sand skink hunting. These skinks emerge from the steep, soft side of sand dunes, warming up to optimum temperature before daring to move to the more compact, windward side of the dune. There they dip their head or whole body into the sand to catch insects. They're well adapted to a largely underground existence, with smooth skin, a shovel-shaped jaw and protected ears and eyes.

SAW-SCALED VIPER

Echis Coloralus

Of the various species of viper in Saudi Arabia, saw-scaled vipers are encountered occasionally, though they have a nocturnal lifestyle and spend their days in hiding. They inhabit the sandy desert as well as the low hills, while similar-looking carpet vipers are mostly restricted to mountainous areas. Their bite is dangerous if not treated properly. The best prevention is to be mindful of where you put your hands and feet, and to wear closed shoes when out in the desert at night. If you're bitten, try to give a good description of the head and markings of the snake to ensure the right treatment is given.

See the 'First Aid' section for more advice.

SPINY-TAILED AGAMA

Uromastyx aegyptia

These gentle desert dragons spend most of their lives in deep underground burrows, foraging for only a couple of hours in the early morning or late afternoon. Spiny-tailed lizards, or 'dhub' in Arabic, dig an elaborate network of interconnected corridors leading to their burrows, with several entrances that they use both for ventilation and for quick escape. You may spot them on gravel plains on the edge of sand dunes throughout the country. They never venture far away from their burrow and, if cornered, will hiss and adopt a threatening posture to scare the intruder. They are preyed upon by desert monitors competing for burrows and by human hunters. Spiny-tailed lizards are fully vegetarian, entirely harmless, and don't need to drink water as they derive moisture from the vegetation they eat. They change colour depending on their temperature. When cold, their skin turns black to absorb maximum radiation. As they warm up, they return to a lighter yellow-grey shade which prevents them from overheating.

SPOTTED TOAD-HEADED AGAMA

Phrynocephalus maculatus

Slightly larger than Arabian toad-headed agamas, these lizards have distinct, wide markings on their body and a slightly hunched posture. They hunt passively, waiting for prey to come their way. They're widespread and easily spotted on hard, sand-free desert substrates and gravel plains, such as around the eroding hills of the Tuwayq escarpment.

WADI RACER

Platyceps rhodorachis

For people who regularly hike in the wadis in the Asir Region or near Hail, Wadi racers are the most commonly encountered snakes. They are long and thin with narrow heads and are not venomous. As their name suggests, they move quite fast and can scale steep wadi banks. They feed on fish, toads, small rodents and tadpoles – especially when they're abundant in wadi pools after a spell of rain. Another long, thin innocuous snake found in Saudi Arabia is the hissing sand snake.

YELLOW-BELLIED HOUSE GECKO

Hemidactylus flaviviridis

A common sight on residential walls, these geckos are active both during the day and at night, although they will seek shade when possible. Their bodies are pale and slightly translucent, and their eyes are large and black. Their feet, each with five toes, consist of rows of lamellae covered with hundreds of hairs that act like Velcro. With this kind of grip, they can easily cling to the ceiling to wait for mosquitoes and other insects to fly by. They take advantage of outdoor lighting to hunt and should be considered treasured guests on a balcony or patio if you are bothered by mosquitoes!