Mammals of Oman

Checklist
Latest version published by Environment Authority on Oct 5, 2023 Environment Authority
Publication date:
October 5, 2023
Published by:
Environment Authority
License:
CC0 1.0

Download the latest version of this resource data as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A) or the resource metadata as EML or RTF:

Data as a DwC-A file download 84 records in English (5 KB) - Update frequency: not planned
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Metadata as an RTF file download in English (9 KB)

Description

Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is home to a diverse range of mammal species adapted to its varied landscapes, which include deserts, mountains, coastal areas, and wadis (dry riverbeds). Here is a general description of some of the mammal species that can be found in Oman: 1. Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx): This iconic desert antelope is known for its distinctive long, straight horns and white coat. It was once extinct in the wild but has been successfully reintroduced in several protected areas in Oman. 2. Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica): These small and graceful antelopes are well adapted to the arid desert environments of Oman. They have long, slender legs and are often seen in groups. 3. Arabian Tahr (Arabitragus jayakari): The Arabian tahr is a rugged mountain-dwelling ungulate found in the rocky terrain of the Hajar Mountains. They have a shaggy coat and short, curved horns. 4. Caracal (Caracal caracal): Also known as the desert lynx, the caracal is a medium-sized wild cat with distinctive tufted ears. They are skilled hunters and are often seen in arid regions of Oman. 5. Sand Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica): These gazelles are adapted to sandy desert environments and have a sandy-colored coat to blend in with their surroundings. 6. Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena): A nocturnal scavenger, the striped hyena is known for its distinctive black and white striped coat. They are often found in arid and semi-arid regions. 7. Arabian Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes arabica): A subspecies of the red fox adapted to desert habitats, it has a reddish-brown coat and is a cunning predator and scavenger. 8. Hedgehogs: Various species of hedgehogs are found in Oman, including the desert hedgehog. These small, spiky mammals are nocturnal and feed on insects and small invertebrates. 9. Bats: Oman is home to several bat species, including the Egyptian fruit bat. Bats play important roles in pollination and insect control. 10. Dolphins and Whales: In the waters off Oman's coast, various species of dolphins and occasionally whales can be spotted, including the bottlenose dolphin and humpback whale. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and Oman is home to many more species of mammals, both native and introduced. The country's diverse ecosystems and unique geography contribute to its rich mammalian biodiversity. Conservation efforts in Oman are focused on protecting these species and their habitats, especially in the face of challenges like habitat degradation and climate change.

Data Records

The data in this checklist resource has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The core data table contains 84 records.

This IPT archives the data and thus serves as the data repository. The data and resource metadata are available for download in the downloads section. The versions table lists other versions of the resource that have been made publicly available and allows tracking changes made to the resource over time.

Versions

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Rights

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The publisher and rights holder of this work is Environment Authority. To the extent possible under law, the publisher has waived all rights to these data and has dedicated them to the Public Domain (CC0 1.0). Users may copy, modify, distribute and use the work, including for commercial purposes, without restriction.

GBIF Registration

This resource has been registered with GBIF, and assigned the following GBIF UUID: b10cb067-2172-494c-986b-ab7432b7160d.  Environment Authority publishes this resource, and is itself registered in GBIF as a data publisher endorsed by Participant Node Managers Committee.

Keywords

Checklist

Contacts

Haitham Al Rawahi
  • User
  • Section Head of Protected Areas Investment
Environment Authority
Al Amerate
Muscat
OM
Haitham Al Rawahi
  • User
  • Section Head of Protected Area Investment
Environment Authority
Al Amerate
Muscat
OM
Haitham Al Rawahi
  • User

Geographic Coverage

The list of Oman`s mammals species contain some endangered or critically endangered species. Here are some examples with brief descriptions: 1. Arabian Leopard (Panthera pardus nimr): The Arabian leopard is one of the most critically endangered big cats globally and is adapted to Oman's rocky and mountainous terrain. It has a tawny coat with distinctive rosette markings. The population has declined significantly due to habitat loss and poaching. 2. Arabian Tahr (Arabitragus jayakari): While it is endangered species, the Arabian tahr faces habitat loss and disturbance from human activities. This species is primarily found in the Hajar Mountains Sequence. 3. Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica): The Arabian gazelle, a small antelope species, has faced habitat loss and hunting pressure, contributing to its decline in the wild. 4. Blanford's Fox (Vulpes cana): This small fox species is native to Oman and other parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It is listed as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation. 5. Ruppell's Fox (Vulpes rueppelli): Another fox species found in Oman, Rüppell's fox, is listed as Least Concern but still faces habitat degradation and threats in some areas. Please note that the list contain other species which are not included here. For more information please return back to IUCN red lists.

Bounding Coordinates South West [15.284, 51.724], North East [27.059, 61.699]

Additional Metadata