Zur Erforschung der 'Western Desert of Egypt'
(Ecological Studies in the Libyan Desert of Egypt and N-Sudan / vegetation ecology of the Sahara - 1982-1987)

Zusammengestellt von Dr. Harald Kehl - ehemals TU-Berlin, Fak. VI, Inst. f. Ökologie
(Compiled by Dr. Harald Kehl - formerly TU-Berlin, Fak. VI, Inst. f. Ökologie)

  Abb. D2-23/07 (oben):

Common Wall Gecko, Moorish Gecko, Crocodile Gecko - Tarentola mauretanicus L.:
E-Sahara / NW-Egypt / Mersa Matruh district / coastal area

Distribution: Costal Mediterranean Regions - Portugal, Spain, Balearic Islands, Italy (incl. Lampedusa island), Sardinia, France, Corsica, Malta, Madeira, coastal Croatia (except Istria), Adriatic islands, Greece (incl. Crete)
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sinai, according to GeckoList.com [date of access 21.12.2006]

Remark: Many thanks for cooperation to Dr. Max Kasparek to determine the found species.

For detailled information cf. Baha El Din, Sherif (2006) A Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Egypt.- Amer. Univ. in Cairo Press, 359pp.

  Abb. D2-23/08 (oben):

Desert Fox or Fennec - Vulpes zerda Zimmermann 1780:
E-Sahara / C-Egypt / near oases

Geographic Range:
"The largest populations of Vulpes zerda occur in the central Sahara, though the species can be found in mountainous and desert regions from northern Morocco (roughly 35 degrees N latitude), east along the northern tip of the Red Sea to Kuwait, and south into northern Nigeria and Chad (15 degrees N latitude)."

Habitat:
Fennecs are highly specialized to desert life and found almost exclusively in arid, sandy regions. The presence of desert grasses and/or light scrub vegetation is important, as fennecs use these plants to bolster, shelter, and line their dens. Fennecs are so well adapted to their Saharan climate that they need not drink. In times of need, however, nearby vegetation is a handy source of water and may be eaten.

Physical Description:
Fennecs are the smallest of the canids. They range in size from 0.8 kg in vixens to 1.5 kg in males. They are smaller than an average house cat. Tail length is between 18 and 30 cm, and accounts for nearly 60 percent of the 30 to 40 cm body length. Standing 18 to 22 cm at the shoulder, fennecs are significantly shorter than other African foxes, which average a shoulder height of 30 cm. Not enough is known about fennecs to state conclusively whether they are sexually dimorphic. The family Canidae, however, exhibits the limited sexual dimorphism common in groups of mostly monogamous species. Since V. zerda is monogamous, it is reasonable to assume this species follows the pattern of slight sexual dimorphism. (...)

The ears of fennecs are perhaps their most distinctive feature. Massive in proportion to the skull, the large, 15 cm long pinnae are used both to dissipate heat and to locate prey moving under the sand. Enlarged auditory bullae also serve this latter purpose. Fur in adults is thick and silky, buff-colored on the dorsal surface and white along the animal’s legs, face, ear-linings and underside. In contrast, juveniles are downy and almost exclusively white. The fur over the violet gland - found in all foxes, and of unknown function - is black or dark brown. This is also the color of the fur on the tip of the tail. The feet are heavily furred, protecting the pads from the hot desert sand. The eyes, rhinal pad, and vibrissae of fennecs are all black. Dentition is weak, similar to that in bat-eared foxes. (...)

Ecosystem Roles:
Fennecs are predators, reducing the number of small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and other terrestrial invertebrates found within their home territories. They may strip the leaves off scrub vegetation, but there is no evidence that this behavior causes permanent damage to the plants."

Information provided in the Internet by Rebecca Adams
Animal Diversity Web - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology [date of access 21.12.2006]

  Abb. D2-23/09 (oben):

Barbary Sheep, Aoudad or Arui - Ammotragus lervia Pallas 1777 cf. ssp. ornatus:
E-Sahara / SW-Egypt / Gilf Kebir - only dead animals were found in 1982

"General Characteristics:

The short, bristly outer coat is reddish to sandy brown in colour. The underparts are moderately lighter. Both sexes have a heavy fringe of hair on their throat, although in males this extends down the neck to encompass the chest and front legs. The tail is also fringed. The body is quite thick and sturdy. The thick, triangular-based horns are found in both sexes, although they are slightly larger in males. The horns have numerous fine rings, although in older individuals these may be worn down, causing the horn surface to look smooth. They curve in a semi-circle over the back, up to 55 cm / 22 inches.

Ecology and Behavior:
Like most desert dwellers, the aoudad is most active in the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, seeking shade and shelter during the day. Aoudad are exceptionally sure-footed and have such jumping power that they can clear a 2 meter / 6.6 foot obstacle with ease from a standing start. The lack of vegetation for cover in their habitat has caused the aoudad to conceal itself by freezing in the presence of danger. Although they can generally obtain all needed moisture from their food, if water is available aoudad drink and wallow liberally.

Family group: Generally solitary or in small groups.
Diet: Sparse grasses, bushes, acacia, lichens.
Main Predators: Leopard, caracal.

Distribution:
Rocky arid mountains in isolated pockets throughout northern Africa.

Conservation Status:
The aoudad is classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN (1996). A. l. ornatus, the Egyptian barbary sheep, is believed to be extinct."

Information provided on Ammotragus laervia in the Internet by Brent Huffman
www.ultimateungulate.com [date of access 21.12.2006]