Whilst birdwatching in
the Tanoumah area, in the mountains of southwest Saudi Arabia, I came across a
very well camouflaged Anderson’s Rock Agama. This 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. It is found to around 2,000
metres above sea level. It is common in Saudi Arabia where it is a rock
dwelling lizard mainly present in mountainous areas. Populations can be found
on vertical rocks, rock steps and amongst boulders where they appear to prefer
large boulders in the vicinity of water in precipitous wadis surrounded by
dense vegetation. They do not however require water, obtaining moisture from
their insect prey.
