A display of nocturnal insects, reptiles and birds that are indigenous to the UAE has opened for viewing at the The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo at Dubai Mall.
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“As the city develops, as people get more involved in this metropolitan lifestyle, we forget there is all this wildlife still around us,” says Paul Hamilton, the zoo’s head curator. “As we are going through the journey, we are going to look at different settings. We have taken inspiration from certain parts of the UAE.” Satish Kumar / The National -
The creatures, which include a family of fruit bats, a chameleon hiding amidst the foliage of an artificial tree and scorpions that appear to glow in the dark, are all part of the zoo’s UAE’s Night Creatures exhibit. Satish Kumar / The National -
The display aims to show visitors a glimpse of the country’s rich biodiversity with many animals living in the country in abundance and, in some cases, in close proximity to humans. Satish Kumar / The National -
A reproduction of a cave habitat shows visitors a sample of the creatures living there, including beetles, toads and fruit bats. Satish Kumar / The National -
Visitors will also be able to see a pair of barn owls, which also live in close proximity with humans. Courtesy Emaar -
Also featured are creatures that inhabit the country’s rocky mountains and sand dunes, such as veiled chameleons, frog-eyed geckos and Cheesman’s gerbils. Courtesy Emaar -
The display relies on special lighting to replicate the day and night cycle with lights dimmed at 9.30am just ahead of the arrival of the first visitors arriving. At midnight, after visitors and staff have left the facility, lights get brighter replicating the sun, and the animals will hide in nooks and crevices. Courtesy Emaar
In pictures: UAE’s night-time wildlife revealed
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