Nocturnal creatures showcase UAE's diverse wildlife in new exhibit

Who knew fruit bats and barn owls resided in our own backyard?

An exciting new exhibit titled ‘UAE’s Night Creatures’ provides an insightful peek into the nocturnal world of Arabian wildlife, exploring some of the exotic species that can be found within the country’s borders.
 
Newly opened at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at The Dubai Mall, the permanent exhibit also exhibits giant camel spiders, the Dhofar Toad, Arabian scorpions and more.

Describing the exhibit, which took nearly six months to curate, Paul Robert Hamilton, Head Curator spoke to Emirates 24|7, saying: “The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo already has a large exhibit of diverse species from around the world.
 
“However, we realised that the UAE itself has its own unique wildlife that people were quite unaware of and the idea of the ‘Night Creatures’ exhibit took root.”

Sourced from private collectors and local zoos, the dark, almost eerie ambient lighting in the exhibit is an attempt to recreate the natural habitat of the species that reside here.
 
Upon entering the enclave, you will come face to face with the enclosure the Dhofar Toad; however, it is the fruit bats on the opposite wall that proves to be a top draw.

Hamilton, who confessed that was his favourite exhibit, stated: “People are amazed to discover that fruit bats reside here in the UAE, in fact within Dubai itself.
 
“Their nocturnal habits, the precision with which they fly, it’s simply fascinating to see them in their element.”

The barn owls, a brother-sister duo, proves to be another draw and surprising for several keeping in mind the concrete landscape of the major cities across UAE.
 
“You will find them on the outskirts of the city; in fact, I know someone who owns a barn here and he has one residing there,” revealed Hamilton.

The inner sanctum will also reveal the world of Veiled Chameleons, Frog Eye Geckos, Ornate Spiny Tail Lizards and Cheesmans Gerbils, while glow-in-the-dark scorpions prove to be an eye catching sight to behold.
 
Continuing the adventure, visitors will be taken through a simulated desert environment with sand dunes, a crackling camp fire, a typical Bedouin tent and even a skyline changing from day light, to sunset, and then to night time.
 
Located on the second level of the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, which is managed by Emaar Retail, the UAE’s Night Creatures exhibit is already open to the public and is included in the current price of Dh7- for adults and Dh55 for children.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.