Whilst birding in the Tanoumah area in July 2014 I saw many Anderson's
Rock Agama Acanthocercus adramitanus most of which were sitting on top
of boulders and rocks showing off their incredible blue colouration. They allow
close approach and are very photogenic with the below photos taken in the
Tanoumah Cliff area just to the north of the city. The species is endemic to
the Arabian Peninsula, where it is found in west and south Arabia, from Taif
(Saudi Arabia) in the north to Dhofar (Oman) in the east. Its range includes
Oman, Yemen, and south western Saudi Arabia and is the most common species of
Agama in Yemen. It is also common in Saudi Arabia where it occurs on rocks in
mountainous areas and is found to around 2,000 metres above sea level. Populations
can be found on vertical rocks, rock steps and amongst boulders often in the
vicinity of water. They can occur in precipitous wadis surrounded by dense
vegetation, with the animals usually seen on the top of boulders. They do not
however require water, obtaining moisture from their insect prey.
