Some Animals Native to Oman

Canis lupus arabs otherwise known as the Arabian Wolf! Some interesting facts about this species: they do not howl like other wolves, they do not travel in packs but in small groups of 3 or 4 and their ears are proportionally larger to their bodies than other wolf species in order to deal with the Arab heat! Their numbers have grown significantly in Oman since hunting was banned in 1976. Panthera pardus nimr or The Arabian Leopard is a rare animal indeed. “It is believed that there are less than 200 of these left in the world and Oman is one of its key habitats .” (from ynotoman) Here’s a video of this majestic beast. “It clings to life in its last remaining mountain strongholds, in the Musandam region and in Dhofar, where great efforts are now needed to save it from extinction. The Caracal Lynx (caracal caracal schmitzi) is classified as the heaviest of all “small cats”. “The body is almost entirely interspersed with widely-spaced black rosettes and spots characteristic of the species, which help to camouflage the cat in the bare, rocky terrain in which it lives. The long tail is used for balance when climbing or reclining in trees. Sexes look alike, but males are generally larger than females.” Check out this interesting video! “The uniform reddish-sandy colour, and the long eartufts, distinguish the Caracal Lynx (Al Washaq or Al Ardh) from all other cats in Oman. Perfectly camouflaged for life in the hills and on the stony plains nearby, from Musandam to Dhofar, it is a powerful and agile hunter. Its prey includes rodents, birds, hares, and occasionally gazelle, taken mostly at dusk. It rests by day in shady places. Known from Africa to SW Asia, the specimens displayed here came from the Jiddat Al Harasis.” The Arabian Fox (Vulpes vulpes arabica) is similar in color to the more common Red Fox but is more adapted to the desert climate. The Arabian Fox is the most common mammal predator in the region. They have fur between their toes to prevent their feet from burning. They are mostly active at night.