A Collage Tribute to the Spiny-tailed Lizard

On the back of our Spiny-tailed Lizard Rescue and Relocation Project, this creative work is a collage of 25 photographs shaped together to represent the Spiny-tailed Lizard itself. Working closely with these animals, I was soon to learn the importance of their presence to the neighbouring flora and fauna and greatly admire the reciprocal relationships they have evolved within the harsh environment in which the Spiny-tailed Lizard, and more specifically the Uromastyx aegyptia leptieni, resides.

The Spiny-tailed Lizard has established a range of symbiotic relationships with varying degrees of complexity to encourage a balance of flora and fauna species throughout its local areas. For example, the Samar tree (Haloxylon salicornicum), is one of the Spiny-tailed Lizards food sources. In return for its nutrients and moisture content, the Samar tree has its seeds germinated and spread to continue its population.

Symbiotic relationships such as these coax the resilient continuation of desert species. I created this collaged work to show the cooperation of the UAE’s specialised wildlife. My hope and intent is that a visually intriguing work such as this will inspire others to help us in our cause to better the environment we depend on.