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17 June 2016

Anderson’s Rock Agama at Raydah Escarpment - Abha

Whilst birdwatching the Raydah Escarpment area of Abha I came across an Anderson’s Rock Agama Acanthocercus adramitanus on the side of the road. Anderson’s Rock Agama is endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, where it occurs in western and southern Arabia, from Taif in the north to the Yemen boarder. They occur up to an altitude of around 2,000 metres above sea level and are a rock dwelling lizard, mainly present in mountainous areas such as the Mount Souda area of Abha. Populations can be found on vertical rocks, rock steps and amongst boulders, where they mainly frequent large boulders in the vicinity of water. They are often in precipitous wadis surrounded by dense vegetation but are also often found around human habitation. They do not however require water, obtaining moisture from their insect prey.