Ptyodactylus hasselquistii - The common fan-footed gecko is found throughout Northern Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. It is well-suited for living in arid climates. The tip of each toe is flared and serves as an aid in providing an extra grip when climbing or as snowshoes to prevent the gecko from sinking into the loose sand when running across the desert. The fan-footed gecko is a nocturnal animal; it prefers to forge for insects and spiders in the cooler night temperatures.
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Oman had endured periods of foreign domination: the Portuguese, the Ottoman Turks, and a brief invasion and occupation by the Persians, but it had been primarily self-governing since the mid 1700’s. The British managed to extract concessions from the ruling dynasties by helping to resolve a question of succession between the two sons of Sa'id ibn Sultan. The agreement resulted in the sultanate being divided into two entities; one son received Muscat and Oman, the other took Zanzibar.
