JEDDAH: Among the most iconic and ecologically important reptiles in Saudi Arabia, the Arabian spiny-tailed lizard, locally known as “dhub,” stands out not only for its size and behavior, but also for the essential role it plays in sustaining the desert ecosystem.

Found across vast stretches of the Kingdom’s deserts, as well as in parts of Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and eastern Iran, the dhub is both a cultural symbol and a keystone species.

Scientifically known as Uromastyx aegyptius microlepis, the Arabian spiny-tailed lizard belongs to the Agamidae family. This species is robust, diurnal (active during the day), and known for its ability to survive extreme temperatures and long dry spells. The adult dhub can reach lengths of up to 85cm, and its coloring, from sandy gray to earthy yellow, helps it to blend into arid landscapes.

But its value goes far beyond survival. “The dhub plays a vital role in the desert ecosystem,” Mohammed Al-Mutairi, director of the reptiles and amphibians department at the National Center for Wildlife Development, told Arab News. “It feeds on desert plants such as ramth, akrash, Al-’alanda, and sa’dan, and also on small insects, ants and locusts. In turn, it serves as prey for desert predators like birds of prey, young carnivores and the desert monitor lizard (Varanus griseus).”

The dhub is both a consumer and a food source, a balancing element in the desert’s fragile food web.

Its foraging habits are particularly significant. The dhub grazes selectively, taking small bites from various plants without overconsumption, which encourages vegetation regrowth and contributes to soil stabilization and ground cover restoration. These behaviors help to combat desertification, one of the major environmental challenges facing the Arabian Peninsula.

Its burrows, which can be up to two meters deep, serve not just as shelters but as microhabitats for other desert species. Dhubs prefer to dig in areas with shrubs and root systems, which reinforces the burrow structure. Remarkably, the dhub shares a symbiotic relationship with scorpions, offering them shelter while receiving protection from potential intruders.

“As an ectothermic animal, the dhub relies on environmental heat to regulate its body temperature. During cooler months, it enters a state of hibernation, significantly reducing its metabolic rate. When spring returns and the temperature rises to around 35 degrees Celsius, it re-emerges, basking in the sun near its burrow to warm up before resuming its daily activities,” Al-Mutairi said.

This finely tuned thermoregulation behavior illustrates its adaptation to the extreme desert environment.

Historically, the dhub held an important place in the diets of local communities, especially during the spring when its meat was thought to be at its most nutritious. The tail, known as “Al-’akrah”, was considered a delicacy and believed by some to have medicinal benefits.

“Markets once flourished across central and northern Saudi Arabia where dhub meat was sold. But a scientific analysis of dhub meat found it to contain very high cholesterol levels, over 561mg/100g, making it unsuitable for those with cardiovascular risks,” Al-Mutairi said.

While the tradition of consuming dhub continues in some areas, overhunting in the past led to significant population declines in non-protected regions.

Fortunately, the tide is turning. “Although we lack precise statistics, monitoring indicates that dhub populations in protected areas are stable and even increasing,” Al-Mutairi said. This is due in large part to strict enforcement of environmental laws, including a SR3,000 ($800) fine for illegal hunting.

The center, in coordination with the environmental security forces, has intensified efforts to preserve the species through regulations, penalties and habitat monitoring.

They have spread awareness campaigns targeting local communities, especially those with historical ties to dhub hunting. These initiatives are shared through the center’s official accounts and in collaboration with royal nature reserves and environmental organizations.

Saudi Arabia is also working with international conservation organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature to ensure long-term sustainability. These partnerships support periodic species assessments, wildlife trade monitoring, establishing protected zones within dhub habitats and enforcing hunting bans on native species.

Beyond its ecological importance, the dhub remains a powerful symbol in Arab folklore, poetry and oral tradition, a reptile that reflects the resilience and ingenuity of life in the desert.

Yet its future depends on continued scientific stewardship, community education and legal protection. “If we want future generations to witness this incredible species, we must recognize its role not just as a relic of the past, but as a living partner in the fight to preserve our desert ecosystems,” Al-Mutairi said

The Arabian spiny-tailed lizard is more than just a desert dweller. It is a critical player in the ecological health of the region, a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s biodiversity and a symbol of cultural heritage. Protecting the dhub is not just about saving a reptile, it is about sustaining the balance of an entire ecosystem that has thrived under its watch for millennia.