Desert Monitor-Waral (Varanus griseus)

The Desert Monitor (Varanus griseus, known locally in Arabic as the Waral / الورل الصحراوي) is a large, predatory lizard belonging to the monitor family (Varanidae). Native to the hyper-arid deserts, sandy plains, and gravel hammadas across the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, the monitor is an apex reptilian hunter equipped with a long, muscular tail, powerful claws for burrowing, and exceptional speed across open sand. It feeds on desert rodents, small birds, snakes, and invertebrates, playing an essential predatory role in arid ecosystems.

Issued by the State of Bahrain (دولة البحرين) to commemorate the fauna protected within the Al Areen Wildlife Park & Reserve (محمية العرين), this 100 fils stamp presents a naturalistic depiction of the lizard alertly basking on sun-baked desert gravel. The issue drew attention to the park’s role in preserving the region's diverse reptile heritage alongside better-known desert mammals, highlighting biodiversity conservation across Bahrain's arid habitats.