What you don’t know about sandfish: their benefits, behavior, and where they live?

In the heart of the desert, we discover magic and wonders and see everything that is, and one of these wonders we will discuss in this article from teketrek is the sandfish lizard.  

What are some fun facts about sandfish?

It has a slender body that allows it to move easily and quickly in loose soil 

The sandfish lizard is known as the sand skink, a type of reptile belonging to the Scincidae family and carrying the scientific name Scincus scincus.

It belongs to the chordate’s phylum, vertebrate’s subphylum, and tetrapods superclass. 

The sandfish has short denticles that can provide good defensive mechanisms when attacked by small predators. It also has four limbs, that protect itself by gasping in the sand. 

It has a large area of skin with air pockets underneath, which lightens the load and aids in relaxation under the sand. 

It has a slender body that allows it to move easily and quickly in loose soil. Its skin has a soft texture that helps it adapt to moisture and conditions in the desert. 

The sandfish lizard is not a true fish like the fish we eat or keep in aquariums but rather more like lizards. 

It has a lacey skill of hiding, camouflaging, and disappearing from sight as it performs an amazing movement by submerging into the sand and blending completely. 

When the sandfish lizard wants to pounce on its prey, it remains among the sands and then cuts a piece of sand and captures the prey skillfully. 

The sandfish lizard hibernates in spring when it wakes up from its winter hibernation period in late March. 

Baby sandfish are given a special name, “Al-Zaghdouri”.  

The Sandfish specifications: 

Size: its small size. 

Shape: elegant shape. 

Skin: Its skin has a soft texture that helps it adapt to moisture and conditions in the desert.

The color: The female sandfish color tends towards yellow, like the color of illegitimate sand, to a small extent. While male sandfish does not differ from the female in having transverse stripes on the back area, which distinguishes it significantly. Also, its size is necessarily larger.  

Where can sandfish be found

They are found in sandy areas, dry valleys, and prefer regions with soft soil. The natural habitat of the sandfish is the Arabian desert and North Africa. It also lives at its extreme limits in the Levant countries, being in southern Jordan in the Hashemite desert after that in the Levant countries. It is also found in southeastern Algeria near the Tunisian border, precisely in the city of Ouargla.

Reproduction stages of sandfish 

Sandfish reproduce similar to fish methods by laying eggs, and as mentioned earlier, males and females can be distinguished by color and size. The presence of fish can be determined by tracking their traces in the sands, which resemble desert snake tracks. 

 FAQs about sandfish

? Why is it called a sandfish

Named for its ability to dive into desert sands, using diving as fish do.

?  What are the benefits of sandfish

Sandfish show some important benefits: – Signs of anti-aging due to their content of antioxidants and Vitamin C.- Bone strengthening due to their mineral content. – Maintains heart health and protects against cancer due to their selenium content and antioxidants. – Assists in weight loss as they contain a high number of sweet capsules.

?  How does the sandfish breathe

This type of fish has unique adaptive characteristics that allow it to breathe under the sand. It has special nasal valves that close when buried in the sand, preventing sand from entering. Additionally, it is covered with a mucous membrane, preventing sand from entering the respiratory tract.

   How long can a sandfish stay under the sand?

It can stay under the sand for up to 20 minutes without needing to breathe.

?   What animals pose a threat to sandfish

Some carnivorous birds, hedgehogs, foxes, monitor lizards, and snakes are among the animals that consider sandfish their main prey.

What is the diet of sandfish?

Sandfish feed on insects such as ants, beetles, dragonflies, flies, worms, and some spiders.  

What is the lifespan of a sandfish lizard?

The average lifespan of a sand fish is between 6 and 10 years.

Are sandfish good pets?

Yes, sandfish are very pets animals.

Is sandfish poisonous?

No, it is not poisonous.

In conclusion, we can say that these sandfish make us think about the greatness of the Creator, how this fish can live within sands and adapt to all conditions and harsh environments in an astonishing way.
References:
Wikipedia