Introduction to Israeli wildlife
Infant ibex
Middle Eastern wildlife conjures up images of
camels and perhaps some other 'exotic'
desert animals
such as assorted snakes, kangaroo rats etc, but a look at native animals shows how mistaken
this stereotype is. Israel's diverse selection of
wildlife is in many ways due to
the variety of landscapes and climates, as well as Israel's location at
the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Here you'll find two species of badger, one common from Western Europe,
through Israel, to Japan, the other found in most of Africa, through the Middle East to India,
and we have both both temperate and desert species of hedgehog, European and desert foxes.
Native animals include a mix of animals from three
continents such as Mediterranean horseshoe bats, Caspian turtles, Be'er Sheba fringe fingered
lizard, Indian crested porcupines, African softshell turtles, Arabian oryx, Mt Hermon mice,
Egyptian mongoose, Cape Hares, Persian squirrels, Balkan emerald lizards, Asian garden dormice,
and European otters.
I have no professional training in the field, but I love watching and photographing animals, and learning all I can about the local wildlife.
This site is based on my personal observations and the many things I've learnt from those more learned than I, mostly from visits to
nature reserves, zoos and conservation centres, as well as as from my biblical studies. I began this website in 1999 simply because at the time I could find no similar English language resource on the web to share the wonders of my country's wildlife with my friends and relatives overeas.
On the following pages I've written an overview of Israeli fauna designed to serve as a
basic introduction to the local wildlife. I've included information on local conservation efforts
and creatures featured in the bible. Where possible I've included suggestions on where to see
certain species. There is also an extensive links section featuring Israeli
nature reserves and species specific websites.
Rock Hyrax at Banias, northern Israel
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Copyright 2003 by Leiah Elbaum.
Text and photographs on this page are by Leiah Elbaum.
Last updated 2 March 2003.
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