About Reptiles, Amphibians and Freshwater Fish
Reptiles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia include two main groups; lizards and snakes. The Kingdom’s lizards contain 84 species, while snakes include about 45 species, including 10 marine as well as other terrestrial species. The Kingdom also includes seven species of amphibians, of which only four are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula. Amphibians are considered signs and indicators of ecosystem health. Reptiles also play an ecological role in controlling the spread of pests. The Kingdom includes eight species of authentic freshwater fish, of which only four are endemic that are only found in the Kingdom. The National Center for Wildlife seeks to catalogue all types of reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish in the regions of the Kingdom. The center also focuses on existing and proposed PAs which are important for biodiversity. Wetlands also provide information on the presence of species as patterns of spatial distribution and abundance of different species. The center works to sustain and preserve them through:
- 1- Conducting surveys of all previous studies and record the species obtained through these studies on digital maps.
- 2- Performing field surveys of various types of reptiles, amphibians, and freshwater fish in the Kingdom and uploading them to digital maps.
- 3- Preparing and updating national species lists of reptile, amphibian and freshwater fish species in the Kingdom to outline the national status of each species.
- 4- Holding workshops with all specialists in Saudi universities as well as some international expertise and research centers to know the newly recorded species including the ones that are widespread or threatened with extinction in the Kingdom.
- 5- Studying PAs importance for biodiversity as well as wetland that have not been studied in the past with Saudi universities cooperation.
- 6- Creating a database to record species and their geographical distribution on digital spatial maps. Such facilitates the process of accessing information by employing modern technologies.
- 7- Developing a national action plan to protect endemic and endangered species with implementation of the recommendations/plans.
