Whilst birding Ash Shargiyah Development Company Farm,
near Jubail Phil saw a Blandford’s Agama Trapelus
ruderatus resting in the top of a small bush. We have seen the species here
on a previous visit but they are not often seen. They range from northeast
Jordan and southern Syria, through northern and eastern Saudi Arabia, Iraq,
Kuwait and southern and central Iran as far south as Shiraz. The species occurs
from close to sea level to around 1,000 metres above sea level. It can be
moderately common in suitable habitat. This ground-dwelling species is
associated with low shrubs (Nitraria)
on the fringe of sandy dunes in arid areas and in sandy desert areas. It can
sometimes be found perching on bushes but is not found in modified areas. It is
very similar to Yellow-spotted Agama Trapelus
flavimaculatus but Blanford's Agama has lines on its back that are missing
on Yellow-spotted Agama.
