There are some 400 species of plants and flowers growing in Kuwait. In spring the desert is transformed into amazingly green meadows, particularly at Wadi Al Batin which is landscaped with a spectacular carpet of yellow camomile.

In the northern part of the country and at Jal Al Zor, there are numerous plants to be seen, particularly Arfaj (phanterium epapposum) with its salty taste, and Al Awsaj (lycium arbicum Al Shawi) a strong thorny plant with small leaves and raspberry shaped red flowers. Both plants are eaten by camels. Another plant to be found in the same area is the heliotropium ramosissimum whose dry leaves are used by the bedouins to make a tea-like drink, and a poultice to cure venomous snake bites. The most spectacular species and the most impressive plant in Kuwait is the cistanche lutea with its large showy flowers.

In addition, several common plants grow in the wadis where there is a reasonable quantity of water. Of these the anogllis femina with its blue crimson flower and the senecio desfontainei with its golden yellow flowers are most frequently to be found.

As the plants in Kuwait are subject to excessive heat and scarcity of water, the part of the plants appearing above ground is far shorter than the length of its root which needs to reach down to a permanent water source without reliance on new rainfall. The best months to see and study Kuwait's flora are January, February and March when the desert comes alive with colourful plants.

Wild Life

Animal life in Kuwait is sparse even more so after the devastation caused by the Gulf war. There have been infrequent sightings of gazelles, foxes and the very rare Civet Cat. Small mammals such as hares, rabbits, jerboa, rats and mice are a more usual sight.

The bird life in Kuwait includes the Desert and the Hoopoe Larks, the Flamingo and the rare Brown Necked Raven. The ever popular birds of prey such as the Marsh Harrier, Imperial Eagle, Ring Ouzel and the Peregrine Falcon are extremely rare while the Hubara Bustard is now reckoned to be extinct.

Cultivated land in Kuwait is increasing, with the result those migrating species of birds such as the House Sparrow, Rose-ringed Parakeet and the Golden Oriole are now regular visitors. Kuwait has two rare species of venomous snakes - the Sand viper and the nocturnal viper. Also some 5 species of sea snakes are documented so far. Turtles can be seen along the seashore while further inland, the Monitor and the vegetarian Dabb Lizard are desert inhabitants. Stray dogs are uncommon while it is normal to see stray cats, often in considerable numbers.