Camping in the UAE desert offers a magical experience. The landscape is a striking mix of extremes — hot and cold, beautiful and barren. The other-worldly landscapes, unique wildlife, and stunning night skies can be mesmerising. However, the desert can also present a unique set of risks for hikers and campers.
While enjoying the serene landscape, it's important to remember the chance of encountering venomous snakes, scorpions, or spiders. These creatures are not confined to the wilderness; they can also find their way into gardens and backyards, often hiding in shaded spots like leaf piles and dense vegetation.
While it's natural to be cautious around snakes, there's no need for undue fear. Snakes are generally reclusive and prefer to avoid human interaction. What should you do if you encounter these creatures, especially snakes? Here’s a quick guide to stay safe:
Stay calm: Do not panic. Most snakes prefer to avoid humans and will not attack unless provoked. It is important to remain calm and slowly back away from the snake.
Back away slowly: If you spot a snake, back away slowly and give it space to escape. Do not attempt to touch or catch it.
Keep a safe distance: If you can, observe the snake from a safe distance to identify whether it’s venomous or non-venomous. The best course of action is to allow the snake to move away on its own. If the snake is in danger or poses a risk to the public, you should call the municipality to relocate it to a safer area.
Keep pets away: Ensure pets are leashed and kept at a safe distance.
Preventive measures: Keep your campsite clean. Ensuring homes and gardens are free of debris and food waste can also help deter snakes. Trim shrubs and tall grass. Eliminate rodents, food scraps, and exposed garbage that may attract snakes. Seal any cracks or openings in walls and doors. Check shaded areas before approaching. Use snake traps if you live in high-risk areas.
To minimise the risk of snake encounters, community members should avoid walking through tall grass or rocky areas without proper footwear, stay alert when outdoors, and refrain from disturbing snakes if they see them. Snakebite incidents are relatively rare in the UAE.
If bitten by a snake: In the event of a snakebite, the priority is to seek immediate medical attention. Stay calm and limit movement. Avoid applying ice, tourniquets, or sucking/cutting the wound, as these measures can cause further harm. Taking a clear photo of the snake from a safe distance will assist medical teams in identifying the species of the snake and choosing the right treatment for that specific species.
Types of snakes in the UAE: Learning to identify local snake species, understanding their behaviour, and knowing what to do in case of an encounter can greatly reduce the risks.
Venomous snakes: Arabian sand viper, Arabian horned viper, Saw-scaled viper, Black desert cobra.
Non-venomous snakes: Arabian rat snake, Persian cat snake, Common sand snake.
Venomous Scorpions: There are several species of scorpion in the UAE. The Arabian fat-tailed scorpion is competing with two Indian scorpion species for the position of the most dangerous scorpion. Black fat-tailed scorpion, Deathstalker scorpions.
The desert is full of nature, much of it nocturnal, just waiting for the sun to go down before they venture out. While in the desert, scorpion stings can occur, particularly if the scorpions go unnoticed while crawling around or taking refuge in shoes or under materials on the ground. For most healthy individuals, these stings typically do not lead to serious complications, unless an allergic reaction occurs, similar to what can happen with bee or wasp stings.
Always wear covered shoes, such as desert boots that come up to the ankle. In the desert, shoes can protect you against hot sand and also against unwanted creatures like snakes and scorpions. You may also find camel spiders, who, despite their grotesque appearance, are neither venomous nor poisonous. If you get bitten, clean the wound with antiseptic and keep an eye on it for a few days – camel spider jaws are laden with bacteria. Incidentally, you will never see camel spiders and scorpions at the same camp, as the former eats the latter.
While sleeping, keep your shoes packed and stored away to prevent insects from crawling inside for warmth.
