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Flora & Fauna
As you would expect in a country with such an arid climate, the variety of flora and fauna in the emirates isn't as extensive as in other parts of the world. However, a variety of creatures and plant life have managed to adapt themselves to life with high temperatures and little rainfall.
In the city of Dubai, as in all the cities in the emirates to a greater or lesser extent, the municipality has an extensive 'greening' program underway. Areas along the roads are incredibly colourful for a desert environment, with grass, palm trees and flowers being constantly maintained by an army of workers and watered around the clock. The city also boasts a large number of attractive and well kept parks.
The region has about 3,500 endemic plants - amazing considering the high salinity of the soil and the harsh environment. The date palm is the most obvious of the indigenous flora, and this provides wonderful seas of green, especially in the oases. Heading towards the mountains, flat topped Acacia trees and wild grasses give a feel of African 'Savannah'. The deserts, in places, are often surprisingly green, even during the dry summer months, but it takes an experienced botanist to get the most out of the area.
Desert Grass Farm Land Date Palms Sea of Sand
Indigenous fauna includes the Arabian leopard and the ibex, but sightings of them are extremely rare. Realistically, the only large animals you will see are camels and goats, (often roaming dangerously close to the roads). Other desert life includes the sand cat, sand fox and desert hare, plus gerbils, hedgehogs, snakes and geckos.
Butterfly Oleander Little green bee eater
Birdlife in the city is limited - this isn't a place for hearing a dawn chorus, unless you're lucky with where you live. However, recent studies have shown that the number of species of birds is rising each year, due in part to the increasing lushness of the area. This is most apparent in the parks and in spring and autumn the emirates benefits from lying on the route for birds migrating between Central Asia and East Africa. You can even see flamingos at Dubai Waterbird Sanctuary at the southern end of Dubai Creek.
Off the coast, the seas contain a rich abundance of marine life, including tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, the dugong ('sea cow'), and sharks. Eight species of whales and seven species of dolphins have been recorded as swimming in UAE waters. Various breeds of turtle are also indigenous to the region, these include the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, all of which are under threat from man. These may be seen by divers off both coasts, or if you are lucky, near the East Coast at Kalba. The best known local fish is hammour, which is a type of grouper and can be found on most restaurant menus.