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The brand new Ibn Buttuta Mall in Dubai has unveiled the Snake Oasis, a display of 17 rare species of live snakes in the China Court area. The Snake Oasis has been a popular feature of the Dubai Summer Surprises for the past four years.

http://www.datadubai.com/snakes.htm



A Look at Snakes of the UAE and Arabian Gulf

Carpet or Saw Scaled Viper - The most dangerous snake in the UAE is the Saw Scaled Viper, one of three such species found here. It lives a nocturnal existence in the eastern Uae and the Musandam, south to Masirah Island and central Oman. They are stocky with short tails, hinged front fangs and pupils which contract to vertical cat-like slits in bright light. They normally hide under rocks, litter or in rodent's burrows by day and emerge at dusk to eat rodents, toads and other reptiles.

Horned Viper - In the emirates, this beige-coloured snake is found in all sandy deserts from the coast to the mountain plains. Entirely nocturnal, it is brightly patterned, with a broad head, narrow neck, robust body and short tail. It is not aggressive but like all vipers can strike very quickly with its hinged front fangs if hunting or intimidated.

Sand or Tree Snake - Mildly toxic but harmless to humans, it is widespread in Arabia from Bahrain to Africa. Growing to a metre and a half long, the sandy or olive-grey species is a good climber and is active by day. Has bold black and white streaks from the snout along along the sides of the head.. The belly is dark grey or golden.

Wadi Racer - Similar to the sand snake in appearance but only grows to 130 cm. With its long and slender body it can move at incredible speed. Displays colour variations depending on habitat, although it cinfines itself to the rocky areas of the UAE, preferably a wadi with running water where it feeds on reptiles, small mammals and birds as well as wadi fish which it can pursue in water. Has dark markings which become indistinct toward the tail but completely lacks stripes on the head of sand snakes.

Thread Snakes - One of the smallest snakes in the world with a build synonymous with its name. It is bright pink or reddish with eyes visible below smooth shiny scales. Shuns light and burrows for ants and termites with its shovel-like snout. Found in sandy soil throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

Sand Boa - It is hardly ever seen but is found in all the sandy deserts of the UAE. It is nocturnal and spends almost all of its time under the sand where it can glide without surfacing. Its eyes and nostrils, by necessity, are on the top of its head, allowing it to lie in wait for its prey. Typically it will then constrict the hapless food source before swallowing it whole.

Blind Snake - Totally harmless, it is very common in Kuwait, east Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and north Oman. Known as the gardener's friend, the blind snake is spread in pot plants where it burrows into soft earth and aerates the soil. Pink or brown, it does have eyes which are sunk below smooth, shiny scales. Only surfaces at night.

Cat Snake - The smallest of the rear-fanged mildly toxic varieties found locally, it bears a very large head with a distinct neck and slit-like pupils which give it a viper-like appearance. A nocturnal creature, it lives in the mountains and is absent from the open desert. An agile climber, it searches birds nests and rock crevices for its sustenance. Occurs in a range of colours, from reddish, to grey or brown. Probably the rarest of the rear-fanged snakes in the area.