The Sand Snake feeds on small mammals and lizards. An elegant fast moving reptile with black and white streaks on a grey-brown body, it grows to 155cm and is found during daylight in cultivated areas as well as open desert. Its bite is mildly toxic to humans.

Known as the "lion of the desert" because of its ability to devour snakes, the Ethiopian Hedgehog is found across much of the Qatari peninsula, particularly in areas of vegetation where it inhabits natural shelters like rock crevices and overhanging ledges. Its distinguishing features include a contrasting black and white muzzle and a bare forehead. Its numerous spines provide an excellent defense against predators but little insulation against cold weather when, even in Qatar, they prefer to hibernate.

A small and rare nocturnal fox, the Ruppell's Sand Fox lives in the far south of Qatar preferring the remoteness of the sand dunes. This timid creature weights little more than 1.4 kilos, is distinctive with its large ears, busy white-tipped tail and golden brown eyes. Its oversized ears assist with heat loss.

The Arabian Red Fox (cousin to Ruppell's Sand Fox) is an opportunistic hunter and found frequently on the outskirts of human settlements.

Much more abundant across the desert is the sandy-coloured 'kangaroo rat', or Lesser Jerboa, so called because of its elongated hind legs and long flattened tail. It has only 3 toes on its hind feet with tufts of coarse hair growing between the toes to give a firm grip on soft sand. It can sometimes leap a meter in distance exacting an arduous and often unsuccessful chase from the foxes and lizards which prey upon it. It survives without drinking taking moisture from plants and dew. It emerges at night to feed on seeds, shrubs, roots and occasional insects.

In recent years, conservationists have begun a program of captive breeding and are re-introducing the Arabian Gazelles, known locally as 'Reem" back into their natural habitat. It is now possible to see these graceful creature wandering freely at a number of locations. Growing to 120cm, males can be distinguished from females by their long curved horns.

Jayaka's Sand Boa is the only Arabian snake that kills its prey - geckos and small rodents. Nocturnal by nature, they are rarely seen, moving away quickly at the first signs of danger. They are non-venomous and known to inhabit sandy dunes areas.

Among rocky outcrops, the large lizard, Lacerta Jayakari, finds its home. It grows up to 60cm and has beautiful mottled slate blue skin. This creature is worthy of protection as it is diminishing quickly.

The Spiny-tailed Lizard known by the Arabic name of 'dhub', is a common desert reptile which, despite its dragon-like appearance, is a peaceful animal that prefers to flee rather than enter into conflict. It can use it's short club-like tail with large pointed sharp scales to minister a painful blow. It never drinks water as it has special glands which help its body to dispose of uric acid. Found in shrubby areas with sill that allows for burrowing. They can survive body temperatures of 46°C and display chameleon-like qualities, changing colour in response to changes in temperature.

The Fennec Fox, the smallest member of the dog family at an average weight of 1kg, is almost indistinguishable from the slightly bigger Sand Fox. It is very pale in colour, almost white, with proportionately larger ears than the Sand Fox and a typical fox-like busy tail. This nocturnal animal lives in only the most remote desert areas in small family colonies feeding on small rodents, reptiles and insects.

Prey of foxes and lizards is the dark coated Arabian Gerbil and the more commonly found Cheesman's Gerbil (pictured). These 2 mammals are similar in appearance with long snouts, chestnut-brown bodies, white underbellies and long tails.

Desert hares or Arabian Hares are widespread and can generally be seen in areas where there is vegetation. They feed on shrubs and grass, even digging up roots. Unlike the rabbit, the hare does not dig burrows but spends its days above ground in small shelters dug into the side of sandy mounds, moving from one to another to avoid direct sunlight.

By moving sideways, the Horned Viper or Sidewinder can develop an astonishing speed by using the soft surface it is traveling on to its advantage. Strictly nocturnal, it's rarely seen, burying itself in the sand when threatened. Although not aggressive, if accidentally stepped on, it is potentially dangerous.

Blue-headed Agwanas change their body colours to match their moods and surroundings.

The more aggressive fork-tongue Desert Monitor Lizard, although not venomous, can inflict a nasty scratch or bite if handled inappropriately. Living in sandy areas with moderate bush cover, these lizards grow up to 1 meter in length, feeding on small lizards, snakes, scorpions, rats, and birds or turtle eggs. They are easily identified by their distinctive brownish-yellow colour crossed with bands of black. This patterning darkens and fades according to climate conditions, becoming more noticeable during the wet season.

More rare than the Ruppell's is the nocturnal Sand Cat which digs a burrow from which it emerges in the evenings to hunt for rodents, reptiles or insects. It has a distinctive orange-brown coat with a white belly and feet. Its large ears are black tipped and its front legs banded with black. Recorded sightings of the Sand Cat have been in the area of Qatar's border with Saudi Arabia.

In the caves, ruins and old-established date palms on the outskirts of Doha, it is possible to find two species of bat: the Trident Leaf-nosed-Bat (pictured at above right) and Hemprich's Long-eared Bat. They are frequently observed at dusk, flying low among palm groves, although the larger Long-eared bat (pictured at right) is less common.

The Houbara Bustard is a shy desert bird which breeds mainly in Central Asia and migrates to the Arabian Peninsula in winter months where it settles on coastal plains, sand dunes and rocky slopes. The Houbara prefers to run rather than fly, feeding on a diet of small insects, lizards and plants. Its predators are falcons, and foxes, the chicks are hunted by monitor lizards, snakes and kestrels.