Wildlife in Egypt: Types of Egyptian Animals

When a visitor judges Egypt, he or she may have in his or her mind a large land of eternal deserts, which can only support sturdy animals such as the fat-tailed lizard and the sand rat. Nevertheless, the home land of the Pharaohs is an incredible place in its wildlife that is much greater than it would be supposed. These are the native Egypt animals that Egypt Immigration Services have prepared to be experienced by nature lovers during their Egypt journey.

A glimpse in Egyptian animals

Egypt is a country located in the northeastern region of Africa with the Mediterranean Sea on the northern part, the Gaza Strip and Israel on the northeast part, Sudan on the southern part and Libya on the western side. The nation is also endowed with the two major rivers namely the Nile River that flows south to north within and through the greater part of Egypt and the minor Blue Nile River that merges with it at Khartoum in Sudan. Egypt is mostly a deserted area, but there are arable areas on both sides of the rivers forming a perfect habitat to various animals.

Egypt boasts of an unbelievable array of wildlife, encompassing the types of animals such as big cats, including the African lion, the cheetah and the leopard, gazelles, hyenas, and the popular camels that live in its deserts and savannahs.

The Nile River is home to a diverse collection of animals including hippos, crocodiles, and an assortment of fish. Not only these larger land animals in Egypt, but it is the home of more than a hundred species of birds, and of smaller mammals including bats, foxes, jackals, etc. The ancient Egyptian tortoise is one of them, its presence in ancient tombs indicating a great cultural significance over the whole history.

Egyptian wildlife

Take a look at 08 sacred animals of Egypt

Animals in Egypt were of huge importance to the ancient society as they were used as deities, companions, fertility symbols, embodiments of protection, fear and luck. They were involved in the lives of the crowns and the common people and they were largely used in the everyday life of secular and religious experiences.

Ancient Egyptians respected animals as they were strong, defensive, protective, nurturing and had a sense of rebirth. These qualities made them present their gods and goddesses as animals and each of them emphasized certain divine qualities and features which are supposed to characterize their nature and their powers. This religious ritual emphasized the strong religious relationship between humans and nature in ancient Egypt.

The following list is the 8 sacred animals of Egypt that were worshipped in ancient Egypt as gods and goddesses:

• Cat
• Jackal
• Cobra
• Nile Crocodile
• Scarab beetle
• Falcon
• Lioness
• Cow

Sacred animals of Egypt

10 incredible Egypt animals you may be interested in

Discover the fascinating wildlife of Egypt with these 10 incredible animals that showcase the country’s rich natural heritage.

The Majestic Nile Crocodile

The great Nile crocodile is a very strong iconic animal of the Nile in ancient Egypt. These are the fierce reptiles that are located in the Nile River and the marshlands located there. Nile crocodiles are also known by their great sizes as some of them reach up to 20 feet in length. They are top predators, which prey on fish, birds, and in some cases, larger mammals. Although they have a terrifying image, Nile crocodiles could not be left out in maintaining the balance of the respective environment.

Egyptian Vulture

The Egyptian Vulture or pharaohs chicken is a conspicuous bird of prey that can be readily identified by the white color of its plumage and yellow face. There are many times that such birds can be found flying very high over the desert terrains where they use their sharp vision to detect carrion and small creatures. The Egyptian vultures are intelligent and have been seen to use tools to open eggs, something uncommon with birds.

Fennec Fox

The fennec fox is a symbol of survival and adaptation in the deserts of Egypt which are very vast. The fennec fox is highly adapted to survive in the harsh desert environment because of its huge ears and sandy mane. These creatures are creatures of the night and they have a wonderful hearing ability enabling them to hear prey in the underground. Fennec foxes have a diverse diet including insects, small mammals, and plants thus being versatile predators.

The Iconic Camel

Camels are a familiar aspect as far as Egyptian scenery is concerned. These hardy beasts have been the life backbone of the lives of Egyptians over centuries as a means of transport and carriage over the desert. Camels are highly adapted to the Sahara’s rough environment and therefore they store most of the fat in the form of humps which can be used to generate water and energy. Camels in Egypt are also termed as the ships of the desert since they do not need food or water to travel long distances.

The iconic camels of Egypt

The Endangered Nubian Ibex

One of the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt is rugged mountain which is home to the Nubian ibex, one of the rarest Egyptian animals, a species of wild goat that possesses amazing climbing skills. Nubian ibexes are horned, and have a sharp sense of balance, which they employ to get along the steep and rocky paths. Sadly, hunting and habitat loss are some of the threats that are threatening to these magnificent animals in Egypt. An attempt is made at conservation to save the remaining populations and preserve them.

The Nile Monitor Lizard

Another notable resident of the riverine ecosystems of Egypt is the Nile monitor lizard. The characteristic of the Nile monitors is that they are coloured with olive green to black with yellow or cream stripes on the jaw and head. Such large lizards may significantly be as long as seven feet in length and very adept in swimming.

Other animals such as nile monitors are visible on the rocks and branches, often in or near water in the daytime. In the night they could sleep on the branches or in the waters on warm days and in the cold seasons they went back to their holes. Nile feeders are predators that feed on fish, crabs, crayfish, mussels, snails, eggs, and small mammals.

The Nile Monitor Lizard

The Colorful Hoopoe

Hoopoe is an exclusive bird that provides a burst of color to the variety of birds in Egypt. The hoopoe is commonly known in foraging insects on the ground, and may be identified by its dramatic crown of feathers and its boldly patterned wingings, which are black-and-white. The Hoopoe was worshipped by the ancient Egyptian society and was believed to be able to see the underground worlds.

The Ancient Egyptian Cobra

 Snakes in Egypt are known to the people in large varieties, and none of them are as famous as the Egyptian cobra. This is a poisonous snake that is extremely entrenched in Egyptian mythology and history and was frequently represented in ancient art and hieroglyphics. The Egyptian cobra is a powerful predator owing to its strong venom and a spectacular hood.

Egyptian cobras have a variety of habitats such as moist savannas and arid semi desert areas, which have some water and greenery. Agricultural fields and scrub vegetation are also mostly inhabited by these snakes and water.

The Egyptian Sand Cat

Sand cat is a small kitty and is nocturnal and inhabits the deserts in Egypt. Sand cats are said to be endangered native species of Egypt and are considered one of the most elusive species of cats. They are also good hunters feeding on small rodents, birds as well as insects. Similar to the camels, the Egyptian sand cats can live long periods of time without drinking. These cats are mostly located in the south east of the country.

The Egyptian sand cat

Kudu

Kudu is a beautiful antelope that is found rampaging through the woodlands and the savannas of southern Egypt. The lesser kudu has unique white stripes and great spiral horns which make it hard to recognize, making it a great camouflage. These are mostly browsers that feed on leaves, shoots and fruits. Their hearing sense is sharp and they are agile thus being able to avoid predators in the wild.

Egypt’s deserts are home to unique and breathtaking landscapes, including the mesmerizing white desert Egypt, a stunning natural wonder known for its surreal rock formations and vast white landscapes.

In conclusion

Ready to explore these interesting animals in Egypt? From the formidable Nile crocodile to the elusive sand cat, each species contributes to the rich biodiversity in this ancient land. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply curious about the wildlife of Egypt, exploring these remarkable creatures is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Apply for an Egypt visa today and get ready for amazing experiences with incredible Egypt animals!