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Thewildlife ofQatar includes the peninsula'sflora andfauna and their naturalhabitats. The country's terrestrial wildlife includes numerous smallnocturnal mammals, a number of reptiles which mainly consist oflizard species, andarthropods. Aquatic animals primarily include fish, shrimp and pearl oysters. The desert and the shoreline form an important resting site for migratory bird species during autumn and spring. Urban and agricultural developments have led to an increase in bird species.[1]
There are 21 species of mammals in Qatar.[2] Larger terrestrial mammals such as theArabian oryx andArabian gazelle are protected and are held in nature reserves.[3] The Arabian gazelle is the only native gazelle species to Qatar and is locally referred to as therheem.[4]
Qatar's largest mammal is thedugong. Large numbers of dugong appear north of the peninsula's shores.[5] Qatari waters accommodate one of the largest concentrations of dugong in the world.[6] Two species offox appear in the country.Sand cats also occur in the desert, and sometimes take over abandoned fox dens.Honey badgers (also known as ratel) appear primarily in the southwest of the peninsula.[7]Golden jackals, a species which was previously thought to have been extirpated in the 1950s, was re-discovered in 2008 inRas Abrouq.[8] Two species of bat are found in the country: thetrident bat and thedesert long-eared bat. The former is more common.[9] Qatar has the highest density ofcamels in theMiddle East.[10]
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There are 352 bird species that have been recorded in Qatar.[11] The desert and the shoreline form an important resting site for a number of migratory bird species during autumn and spring. Coastal birds includegulls,terns,turnstones,sanderlings,Kentish plovers,herons andSocotra cormorants.[12] They are usually observed year round.Lark species, includinghoopoes,crested larks andblack-crowned sparrow-larks are commonly observed in the desert during the summer.[12] More commonly occurring species during the autumn and spring areswallows,swifts,house martins,warblers,redstarts,shrikes,wheatears,wagtails,harriers andfalcons (includingkestrels).[12] Four of the primary types of birds which can be observed in deserts during the winter are various types ofwaders and gulls,coots, andlittle grebes.[12] Rare birds such as theavocet andred-billed tropicbird breed on the peninsula.[7]
TheArabian ostrich went extinct in 1945. TheNorth African ostrich was introduced in the later 20th century and is now concentrated in Ras Abrouq.[13]
Lizards are the most common reptile in Qatar.[14] There are more than 21 species of lizards, with the most common family beingGekkonidae (9 species). Other common families includeLacertidae (4 species),Agamidae (3 species),Scincidae (2 species), andVaranidae,Sphaerodactylidae, andTrogonophidae with one species each.[15] Thehorned desert viper, avenomousviper species, has been recorded in the country but is rarely sighted.[16]
There are at least 500 fish species in Qatar.[17] The northeastern coast has the highest density of fish. Fish caught in the aforementioned region includeCarangidae, Pomadasidae,Lethrinidae andLutjanidae.[18]
Goatfish,sharks,groupers,barracudas,threadfins,lizardfish andrabbitfish also occur in lower frequency.[18]
Penaeus is by far the most abundant genus ofprawn in the peninsula. Other crustaceans, such asMetapenaeus elegans,Metapenaeus stebbingi,Metapenaeus stridulands, andslipper lobsters have been documented.[19]
There are more than two-hundredoyster beds in Qatari waters. The most significant oyster species isPinctada margaritifera.[20] Five species of terrestrial snails, each belonging to a different genera, have been recorded in the country.Zootecus insularis is the most widespread. None of them are indigenous.[21]Mudflats and otherintertidal habitats tend to contain the highest distribution ofgastropods,polychaetes,bivalves anddecapods.[3]
At least 170 species of insects belonging to 15 orders exist in Qatar. These includeThysanura,Ephemeroptera,Odonata,Orthoptera,Dermaptera,Embioptera,Isoptera,Dictyoptera,Anoplura,Hemiptera,Neuroptera,Lepidoptera,Diptera,Coleoptera andHymenoptera.[22]
More than 300 species of wild plants are present in the peninsula.[23] Vegetation is extremely sparse in thehamada landscape due to the heavily weathered soil. A native species of tree,Vachellia tortilis (known locally assamr), grows in this habitat.[24] Its adaptive capabilities to the desert environment renders it one of the most common forms of vegetation in the country.[23]Zygophyllum qatarense andLycium shawii are also adapted to grow in this landscape.[25]
Shallow depressions referred to asrodat constitute a more varied selection of plants since rainwater run off is more easily accumulated.Ziziphus nummularia favors deeper soil in this type of habitat, whereas the grassCymbopogon parkeri is found in shallower soils. In the south of the peninsula,Panicum turgidum andVachellia tortilis grow in the wind-blown soils.[25]
Qatar is committed to protecting endangered wildlife species, as highlighted by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME). One of the key initiatives includes the protection ofhawksbill turtles, which are listed as endangered by theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This project, in collaboration withQatar Petroleum andQatar University, aims to safeguard the nesting sites of these turtles and has been in action since 2003.[26]
TheMinistry of Environment and Climate Change has undertaken various programs and projects to preserve wildlife and biodiversity. Notable efforts include the lizard biodiversity conservation project, which has monitored 21 lizard species, and breeding programs for endangered animals such as theArabian oryx,sand gazelle,ostrich,bustard, and wild rabbit. Additionally, Qatar has made significant strides in sea turtle protection along all its coasts since 2002 and has implemented a project to study and propagate mangrove plants along the coast, aiming to extend their presence to new areas.[27]
