Kuwait is home to numerous species of insects, animals and birds. Among the diverse insects the most attractive group is that of butterflies. Several beautiful varieties are found here and the best time to see them is Spring. There are 38 recorded reptiles in Kuwait, comprising of a variety of snakes, lizards, geckos etc. Besides, there are 50 listed varieties of mammals a number of them are endangered species. Some commonly found animals include hedgehog, wolf, wild cat, Gazelle etc. Nearly 280 species of birds have been recorded here. Incidentally, most of them are migratory birds.

ANIMALS

The Arabian Peninsula represents a bridge between Eurasia and Africa, allowing faunal interchange to occur. Subsequently, the fauna of the Arabian Peninsula shows a close affinity with both those regions. Kuwait is located at the head of the Arabian Gulf, where a mixture occurs of two zoogeographical regions: the palearctic and oriental.

The zoological collections of Kuwait were established earlier in this century with an extensive collection of birds and small mammals. Identified animals included horse breeds, varieties of sheep and goats, and the favorite breeds of camel. Wild animals were listed along with their local names, such as cheetah (fahad), wild cat (hirr), Caracal lynx (itfah), hedgehog (qunfid), wolf (dheeb), fox (hasni), lizard (dhub), hyena (dhab'a) and jerboa (jerbu). Also mentioned were species of antelope, gazelle, ostrich and wild goats.

During the past two decades, studies of wildlife species in the Gulf region have increased. More areas were designated for the protection of endangered species such as the Houbara bustard (Chalamydotis undulatus). The reintroduction of Arabian mammals such as the gazelle (e. g., the "reem" gazelle - Gazella subuturosa) and Arabian onyx (Oryx leucoryx) are also part of this protection program.

Protected areas in Kuwait include both coastal and desert regions. Coastal protected areas, such as As-Sulaibikhat and Al-Jahra pond, were established to protect migratory birds. Desert protected areas, such as the National Park of Kuwait (411 square kilometers) and Al-Sulaibiyah Field Station (20 square kilometers), are important for the protection of plants. Wildlife species, primarily reptiles, birds and a few mammals, benefit from the protected habitats in all areas.

INSECTS

Kuwait has 578 species of insects, belonging to 414 genera and 22 orders. There are three species of apterygota, 113 species of exopterygota and 462 species of endopterygota. The largest order is that of beetles (Coleoptera) with 230 known species, then butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) with 76 recorded species, followed by bees, wasps and ants (Hymenoptera) with 71 species, then flies (Diptera) with 69 species, and finally the locusts (Orthoptera) with 34 known species.

One of the most common insects in Kuwait is the ground beetle (Tenebrionidae). The most famous species is probably Trachyderma hispida. This black beetle is omnipresent in houses and in the desert. Active during day time, this beetle burrows the larvae and pupae beneath soil cover.

Insect collectors have focused on the locust. This is due to the ability of the locust to destroy living bushes and any available green grass, causing sheep to die by the hundreds. The locusts originate in Africa and migrate from Ethiopia to Yemen. From there, the swarms select one of two routes; either to Balauchistan and India via the southern Arabian Sea, or up to Hijaz Plateau and Najd Peneplain, along a northeastern tract to Kuwait. Two main types of locusts are recorded; the red-colored variety (Anacridium aegypticum) known locally as "yakhaka" and the common desert-yellow variety with brown markings (Schistocera gregaria) known locally as "jarad". In addition to the locusts are the roller beetles, known locally as "Abu-Ja'al," which appear after a good rain.