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Cape Hare (L. capensis) In desert areas during the day, the Cape
Hare may dig a shallow burrow no deeper than the length of its
body. Cape Hares tend to run into the open when disturbed; African
Savannah Hares make straight for cover. This species occurs right
across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and all of the Middle East
except Turkey. It favours open habitats often with minimal cover and
sparse vegetation. It tends to thrive in areas of overgrazing such as
much of the Sahel.
African Savannah Hare (L. victoriae) This hare overlaps with the Cape
Hare in the Sahel and on the Atlantic coast to as far north as Western
Sahara (Morocco). It may occur as far north as western Algeria, where
an apparently isolated population has been located. It favours more
scrub-covered and hilly country than the Cape Hare, but the two
species may be seen close to each other. Some authorities believe this
species to be the same as the Scrub Hare (L. saxatilis).
European Hare (L. europaeus) This species is sometimes lumped with
the Cape Hare. The European species tends to be darker overall. In the
region it appears to be restricted to Turkey and north-western Iran.
It requires open country with thickets or other cover, and frequents
agricultural land.
RODENTS (Rodentia)
This very large and diverse group of mammals is well represented in
the region. Rodents are the only mammals with a large, prominent
pair of chisel-like incisor teeth at the front of the upper and lower jaw.
ASIAN PORCUPINE Hystrix indica
NORTH AFRICAN PORCUPINE Hystrix cristata
Identification These two porcupines are very similar and cannot be
mistaken for any other species. The upper body is covered with long,
black-and-white banded quills and spines, and a crest of very long,
coarse hair extending from the top of the head to the shoulders. The
quills, spines and hair are all raised when the animal is alarmed. The
rest of body is covered in black hair, with some animals having a pale
to white crescent on the throat. The short tail (14 cm) has a cluster
of hollow ‘rattle quills’. The Asian Porcupine is usually smaller in the
Arabian Peninsula than it is elsewhere, weighing 9–10 kg, although
larger individuals are known.
Size Shoulder height 25 cm.
Weight Asian Porcupine 10–24 kg; North African Porcupine 8–22 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour Porcupines occupy a wide variety of habitats,
but are absent from true desert. In many areas they show a strong
preference for rocky country. They are nocturnal, and spend the day
in burrows or caves, or among rocks. Although they are mainly solitary
foragers, pairs and family groups are common and several animals