Arabian Inferno

The Arabian landscape is a virtually waterless desert where rain scarcely falls and animals endure blistering temperatures. But for 3 months every year, a remote region on the south west coast undergoes an astonishing transformation… into a lush, verdant oasis.

It sometimes feels like mammals rule the world; there are well over 5,000 species, colonizing every corner of the globe. But in Arabia there’s a different story – this is a land where reptiles rule.

The Arabian Desert is one of the most challenging places on earth, but the animals here are resilient and specialized. Even for the hardiest inhabitants, death’s never far away. Creatures must seize every opportunity to find food, shelter and water. Adaptability is the key to dune survival.

A wadi is a waterhole, a rare place in the desert where hard bedrock traps the tiniest traces of water. A vital valley visited by the creepy and bizarre. All animals must come here to drink, something predators are quick to exploit; venomous vipers, glowing scorpions and stalking tarantulas hide in the crevices, ever ready to strike.

The Arabian Peninsula is the world’s transit hub for 3 billion birds on migration to and from Europe, Africa and Asia. This episode tells the stories of the majestic raptors and magnificent waders – from the largest migrants to the smaller residents – how they fly, hunt and survive in this region of extremes – both in the wild desert and close to the urban jungle.