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For many Oman is a land of Camels (of course since Camel is an Arabic word they must be the Dromedary one humped version) and Date Palms ; but its nature can be even more exotic, though even more elusive.

Joining the Camel are White Oryx, probably the origin of the fabled Unicorn, and Arabian Gazelle which we have seen in the mountains around Al Bustan Palace and the Shangri-la Hotels. More difficult to see are the Ibex and Tahr who live in the high mountain slopes of Oman’s south and north respectively and joining the Ibex in the south are Rock Hyraxes.

Land predators include the Arabian Leopard (you can read about a near-miss with a Leopard near Salalah here) and Arabian Wolf. Smaller cat & canid include Caracal Lynx & Sand Cat and Blandfords Fox. Oman’s reptiles include several species of Echis viper and Grey Monitor lizard.

 

The skies above Oman are part of a migration route which brings into Oman hundreds of Steppe Eagles and White Storks to bring the bird species recorded to almost 500. Smaller species include Ethiopian Rollers and Blue Rock Thrush which treat buildings in Muscat as if they were a cliff face. Muscat and other large coastal towns are also home to immigrant species reliant on man for their explosive spread; these include Indian Roller. Indian House Crow and Rose-ringed Parakeet so familiar now to inhabitants of London.

 

Plants in Oman include the fabled Frankincense , Dragons Blood and Desert Rose in southern Oman. In the northern mountains, Rose Damask is grown along with Peach & Walnut. Travelling through the country Acacia are widespread as are Sidr and Ghaf (to use the local simple name rather than Ziziphus spina-christi & Prosopis cineraria). We of course cant forget the palm trees, in the north Date Palm and in the south Coconut Palm.

 

The seas of Oman (there are 3 - The Arabian/Persian Gulf - The Sea of Oman - The Arabian Sea) offer tropic warm water to swim in. However in summer as they are affected by the summer Indian Ocean Monsoon they have a cold-water upwelling which brings rich nutrients to the surface. These allow an extraordinary variety of Fish, Sea Mammals and Birds and well as humans to enjoy a rich source of food.

Dolphins, including Spinner, Common and Indo-Pacific Humpbacked, are the most visible Sea Mammal, however Humpbacked Whales are resident all year round and Blue Whales are occasional sighted. There are 5 variety of Turtle in Oman's seas, 4 of which nest on Oman's beaches, the best known of which are Green Turtles. Oman Corals are spread throughout the coastal waters and with the variety of fish which live in them make for a great Scuba Diving location in Oman.