The spiny tailed lizard, or Dhub as it’s known locally, is found in the UAE and Oman.
Its spiny tail is used for defence and it uses a unique system to survive in the desert heat. In the morning when it’s cooler, the lizard is a dark grey colour, which helps it to absorb the sun’s rays while it heats up.
When it has reached optimum temperature, its skin turns a light beige colour, which helps it to reflect the sun’s rays to prevent overheating.
Living mainly in open desert and the Hajar mountains in Ras Al Khaimah, the Dhub is not an easy find. Al Ain Zoo is home to several of these relatively shy creatures which, until hunting of them was banned, were renowned as a local delicacy.