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03 June 2016

Blandford’s Agama in Dammam – Record by Vinu Mathew

Vinu Mathew photographed a Blandford’s Agama Trapelus ruderatus in Dammam recently and kindly sent me the photos and allowed me to reproduce them on my website. Although I thought I knew the identification I asked a local expert Mansur Al Fahad to confirm, which he very kindly did. Blandford’s Agama ranges from northeastern Jordan and southern Syria, through northern and eastern Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and southern and central Iran as far south as Shiraz (Rastegar-Pouyani 2000). 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. Blanford's Agama is similar to Yellow-spotted Agama but has lines on its back which are missing on Yellow-spotted Agama.
Blandford’s Agama

Blandford’s Agama

Blandford’s Agama