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entrances to their crevice homes. Hyraxes eat a wide variety of plants,
including species that are poisonous to other species. They live in
small colonies of 4–8 animals. In optimum habitat this may rise to 20
or more individuals, and many groups may live in close proximity to
each other. Each group has a dominant male and female, and there is
a clearly demarcated social ranking. The young are well developed at
birth and soon able to move around. One to three cubs are dropped
after an unusually long gestation of about 210 days. Birth weight is
150–300 g.
Distribution and Status Hyrax populations occupy all the major
massifs in the Sahara, including Ahaggar, Tibesti and Tasilli n’Ajjar.
Hyraxes are absent from the Atlas ranges. In the east they are found
through the Sudanese and Egyptian Red Sea Hills into Sinai. They
occur in Israel and Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and right through the
western hills and mountains of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Isolated
populations live in the coastal hills of Dhofar in southern Oman.
Hyraxes do not occur naturally in the UAE, but a population has been
introduced to Jebel Haffit, Al Ain.
Conservation Areas Ahaggar NP, Tasilli n’Ajjer NP (Algeria); Aïr-
Ténéré NR (Niger); several in Israel; Jebel Samhan NP (Oman).
CARNIVORES (Carnivora)
Some 35 species of carnivore inhabit the region, including nine
members of the dog family (Canidae) and nine of the cat family
(Felidae). The Lion and Tiger once occurred widely, but both species
were driven to extinction in the mid-20th century (see page 8).
Remaining large carnivore species are under threat due to habitat loss
and direct persecution by man. The teeth of carnivores are specialized
for killing and eating other animals.
HYAENAS
STRIPED HYAENA Hyaena hyaena
Identification As is typical of all hyaenas, the shoulders of the Striped
Hyaena stand higher than the rump. The shaggy, buff to grey coat
is covered by numerous transverse black stripes. A well-developed
erectile mane extends from the base of the neck to the rump, and
there are numerous black stripes and rings on the legs. The head is
large, much of the muzzle is naked and the throat area is mostly black.
The ears are long and pointed, and the tail is relatively long and bushy.
Size Shoulder height 72 cm.
Weight 40 –55 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour This hyaena shows a strong preference for dry
areas, often in association with rocky outcrops and within savannah.
Records are few from the central areas of the major deserts, although