Exploring the site
A red-marked dirt road departs from the entrance and makes its way between the two plots of ground devoted to the conservation of the spiny-tailed lizard.
KKL-JNF has provided the site with explanatory signs and surrounded the conservation plots with sections of tree trunks in order to prevent vehicles from encroaching upon them and destroying the lizards’ burrows.
Black trail markings have been used to indicate the footpath that branches off eastwards from the parking area on the main road and ascends to Mitzpeh Hardon (“Lizard Lookout”), a small hill that provides a view of the Arava landscapes, Lizard Land and Eilat Bird-Watching Park, which is located to the east.
The spiny-tailed lizard digs itself a burrow about one meter in depth that extends along an underground tunnel for up to twenty meters; here it hides from predators and raises its young. In their natural habitat, these lizards dig their burrows at a considerable distance from one another.
However, in this limited area that extends on both sides of the dirt road the lizard population is much denser, and in 2012 it comprised around one hundred burrows. The lizards would appear to have congregated here after their natural habitats were damaged or destroyed. They are most active in the warm seasons of the year.
Visitors’ conduct at the site
Visitors are requested not to enter the area delineated by the tree trunk fence and not to disturb the activities of the lizards – and please do not feed them! The food we eat is not compatible with their digestive systems and is liable to cause them harm.
To the Eilat Bird-Watching Park – close nearby
If you turn southwards from the path that leads to Lizard Lookout, after around 250 meters you will come to a “hide” that is used for concealment while bird-watching. Lizard Lookout is also a suitable departure point for a walk round the
bird-watching park.