Did you know that in the harsh environment of the Wadi Rum desert, live around 130 different animals and 120 birds? And that it also is a host to a wide variety of around 360 different species of plants? In future blogs, we will tell you more about the birds of Wadi Rum and the plants of Wadi Rum. For now, we focus on the fantastic animals of the Wadi Rum desert.
When you explore Wadi Rum, most likely, you will see camels and herds of goats and sheep. For seeing other wildlife, you will have to put in some effort. During the day, you can look for amongst other lizards and beetles. And at night, you might see mouses, gerbils, geckos, hedge hocks, and foxes. Spotting the bigger mammals is a challenge as they are fewer in number and shy. Most of them live in the outer areas of Wadi Rum. If you have an interest in animals, let your guide know. Then he can try to help you find the animals.
Wadi Rum desert reptiles
Snakes
Lizards
Scorpions
Wadi Rum desert insects
Spider
Beetle
Other insects
The mammals of Wadi Rum desert
At night the small, furry mouse-like gerbils with their long back legs are active. Unless you go on a night tour, it is not likely you will see these fantastic animals. In the daytime, their holes are easy to spot by the distinctive tracks they make across the sand.
It takes effort to see Wadi Rum deserts bigger mammals. But there are quite amazing animals and a few who are worthy of looking out for:
- Domesticated dromedarian camel
- Red or Blandford’s fox
- Arabian sand cat
- Wild dogs
- Nubian ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) – a mountain goat
- Grey wolf (Canis lupus)
- Arabian oryx – a variety of big white gazelles (only in captivity)
- Hedgehogs
- Hyrax
- Hare
