Jebel Hafit Natural Heritage
The limestone rocks of Jebel Hafit have been spectacularly weathered over millions of years and the cave systems within the mountain contain impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Significant fossil finds are regularly made on Jebel Hafit that shed light on ancient life-forms, and the discovery of calcified corals provides evidence that the region was once covered by sea.
FLORA
One of the rarest plants in the UAE, Anvillea garcinii - a small, yellow-flowering perennial - has established a hold here, as have two species of acacia. Capparis cartilaginea, a sprawling shrub, survives the summer heat by having large, thick, leathery leaves and even throws out large, showy flowers during the hottest period of the year. The ghaf tree grows to a height of 16 metres, drawing water through its tap roots from water sources well below ground. A small, woody perennial, Salsola rubescens, is quite common on the rocky slopes and grows to a height of 50 cm. Lichens are fairly common on Jebel Hafit, but only one species of fern has been recorded. During droughts it suspends photosynthesis, rolls up its leaves and appears to be dead. It can remain in this state for months or even years.
MAMMALS
Red foxes can live almost anywhere on the mountain but favour human settlements such as camel and goat farms, where they can often be seen at night. During the day, they seek shelter in the gullies or rocks at the base of Jebel Hafit.
Blanford’s Fox is indigenous to rocky habitats. It is only about 75cm long but can make vertical leaps of up to 3 metres. It is grey-brown in colour, with large ears, a bushy tail, white belly and black dorsal stripe, These foxes mate for life and a pair will occasionally be seen foraging together.
The Arabian tahr is a distant relative of the wild sheep and wild goat which generally lives alone or in small family units. The tahr, an endangered species, is believed to survive in the country, although there have been no sightings for several years.
The Egyptian spiny mouse lives amongst the rocks and feeds on seeds, invertebrates and their larvae. There is a fairly dense population of these nocturnal rodents. Less prolific is Wagner’s gerbil, another nocturnal animal whose main habitat is in the wadis halfway up the mountain. It lives on seeds, insects and small geckos which it takes back to its burrow to eat.
The rock hyrax resembles a large rabbit, and lives in social groups of up to 80. One animal stands sentry while the others feed and emits a piercing cry if danger threatens. The unique structure of the hyrax’s stomach and intestines allows it to eat plants that are poisonous to other herbivores.
Bats, most commonly Kuhl’s pipistrelle and the Muscat mouse-tailed bat, are found on the mountain and surrounding plains. Around sunset, bats emerge in large groups to feed on flying insects.
BIRDS
The area is home to the largest assembly of Egyptian vultures in the UAE. This may be partially as a result of the ready availability of food in the lions’ enclosure at Al Ain Zoo! Most sightings are made during the winter months although numbers sighted rarely reach double figures and it is thought that the vultures use the mountain as a nursery rather than a breeding ground.
Kestrels breed on the lower slopes of the mountain, and Barbary falcons in the higher areas. Both species prey on rock doves, pigeons and small mammals. They hunt by hovering or holding still on updrafts, then move in swiftly for the kill.
Sand partridges are fairly common (there may be more than 300 breeding pairs) but quite elusive. The birds are occasionally sighted foraging in the car parks and picnic areas on the summit after visitors have left.
Lichtenstein’s sand grouse and the chestnut-bellied sand grouse both breed on the gravel plains at the foot of Jebel Hafit.
The little owl survives well in this territory and there may be up to a hundred breeding pairs. They roost in small holes in the rock faces and feed on lizards, beetles, small birds and rodents. The mountain also offers ideal nesting sites for the desert eagle owl and the surrounding sand desert provides excellent hunting opportunities for these birds.
Other species that breed on Jebel Hafit include ravens, rollers, bee-eaters, finches, swifts, wagtails, pipits, wheatears and bulbuls. Only one of these species, the yellow-vented bulbul, is a true UAE native and resident. A nesting pair has been sighted in the grounds of the Mercure Hotel on the summit of Jebel Hafit.
The UAE has a significant population of birds migrating from Africa, Asia and northern Eurasia and many of these visit the Jebel Hafit area. These include raptors such as buzzards, eagles and harriers and songbirds such as robins, warblers and thrushes.
Jebel Hafit is expected to become a protected area in the near future.
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