The term antelope refers to numerous extant or recently extinct species of the ruminant artiodactyl family Bovidae that are indigenous to most of Africa , India , the Middle East , Central Asia , and a small area of Eastern Europe . Antelopes do not form a monophyletic group, as some antelopes are more closely related to other bovid groups, like bovines , goats , and sheep , than to other antelopes.
151-484: The Arabian oryx or white oryx ( Oryx leucoryx ) is a medium-sized antelope with a distinct shoulder bump, long, straight horns, and a tufted tail. It is a bovid , and the smallest member of the genus Oryx , native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian Peninsula . The Arabian oryx was extinct in the wild by the early 1970s, but was saved in zoos and private reserves, and was reintroduced into
302-491: A lion until it is closer than 200 m (650 ft)—lions hunt as a pride or by surprise, usually by stalking; one that can be seen clearly is unlikely to attack. However, sprint-dependent cheetahs will cause gazelles to flee at a range of over 800 metres ( 1 ⁄ 2 mile). If escape is not an option, antelope are capable of fighting back. Oryxes in particular have been known to stand sideways like many unrelated bovids to appear larger than they are, and may charge at
453-562: A better food source with other vegetation. When the Arabian oryx is not wandering its habitat or eating, it digs shallow depressions in the soft ground under shrubs or trees for resting. They can detect rainfall from a distance and follow in the direction of fresh plant growth. The number of individuals in a herd can vary greatly (up to 100 have been reported occasionally), but the average is 10 or fewer individuals. Bachelor herds do not occur, and single territorial males are rare. Herds establish
604-573: A dense jungle of giant plants surrounds the lake. The vegetation on the edges of the sabkha provides a source of food for migratory and endemic birds. The aforementioned areas encompass Mount Abdulaziz , Mount Abu Rajman, Mount al-Hass , Jabal Shabith, the Palmyrene Mountains, and portions of the foothills surrounding the Jordan Valley . The region in question exhibits a paucity of plant life when compared to coastal areas,
755-575: A fear response to perceived predators, such as humans, making them very difficult to herd or handle. Although antelope have diets and rapid growth rates highly suitable for domestication, this tendency to panic and their non hierarchical social structure explains why farm-raised antelope are uncommon. Ancient Egyptians kept herds of gazelles and addax for meat, and occasionally pets. It is unknown whether they were truly domesticated, but it seems unlikely, as no domesticated gazelles exist today. However, humans have had success taming certain species, such as
906-587: A few survived outside that country. A few were reported in Jordan into the 1930s, but by the mid-1930s, the only remaining populations were in the Nafud Desert in northwestern Saudi Arabia and the Rub' al Khali in the south. In the 1930s, Arabian princes and oil company clerks started hunting Arabian oryxes with automobiles and rifles. Hunts grew in size, and some were reported to employ as many as 300 vehicles. By
1057-535: A forest environment with patchy resources, and a male is unable to monopolize more than one female due to this sparse distribution. Larger forest species often form very small herds of two to four females and one male. Some species, such as lechwes , pursue a lek breeding system, where the males gather on a lekking ground and compete for a small territory, while the females appraise males and choose one with which to mate. Large grazing antelope, such as impala or wildebeest , form large herds made up of many females and
1208-619: A group of hills from roughly the same point at an area called Kapu Tcham near Marash and extends south to Suf Dagh and Aleppo Mountain . It then turns into ranges of hills down to the Homs Plain and the Akkar Plain, which form Inner Syria's window to the sea. The Qalamoun Mountains , which extend from south of Homs to Damascus and meet with the Golan Heights at Mount Hermon , with its highest peak at 2814 meters, constitute
1359-666: A large, fenced reserve in Saudi Arabia, covering more than 2,000 km (770 sq mi). On June 28, 2007, Oman's Arabian Oryx Sanctuary was the first site ever to be removed from the UNESCO World Heritage List . UNESCO's reason for this was the Omani government's decision to open 90% of the site to oil prospecting. The Arabian oryx population on the site has been reduced from 450 in 1996 to only 65 in 2007. Now, fewer than four breeding pairs are left on
1510-565: A lesser extent. Additionally, shrubs and perennials are present in smaller quantities. The area is sparsely populated by trees and shrubs, including Pistacia atlantica and Pistacia khinjuk , wild almonds , wild figs , hawthorn, and pig carob . The Eastern Mountains is the only place in the Levant where the Pistacia khinjuk , which extends across Turkey, the Caucasus , and Central Asia,
1661-538: A multitude of annual and perennial herbaceous plants belonging to various families, including leguminous , vetiver , asteraceous , buttercup , papaveraceae , and Iridaceae . The most prevalent legume species in the Levant (across diverse habitats) include the following: shamrock (more than sixty species), qatad (approximately forty-five species), alfasa (more than forty species), vetch (more than forty species), and anabris (approximately twenty species). A minimum of 18 species of monocotyledons have been identified in
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#17327760050491812-639: A phenomenon that can be attributed to the region's lack of rainfall and the degradation of its soil. A total of 407 plant species belonging to 47 families and 210 genera have been recorded in Mount Abdulaziz. In the vicinity of the Aleppo Desert, the number of species is 235, belonging to 41 families and 132 genera, as observed in the Hass and Shebith mountains. The aforementioned areas are primarily composed of annuals, some shrubs, and perennials to
1963-449: A predator as a last resort. About 25 species are rated by the IUCN as endangered , such as the dama gazelle and mountain nyala . A number of subspecies are also endangered, including the giant sable antelope and the mhorr gazelle . The main causes for concern for these species are habitat loss, competition with cattle for grazing, and trophy hunting. The chiru or Tibetan antelope
2114-707: A sentiment that is also prevalent in Lebanon and Syria. The Canidae family is represented in the Levant by five species: the gray wolf , golden jackal , red fox , Rüppell's fox , and Afghan fox . Gray wolves are the largest species of canidae, with two recognized breeds in the Levant: the Iranian breed and the Arabian breed . The Iranian breed is distributed in the northern part of the region, including northern Palestine and Jordan, through Lebanon and Syria. In contrast,
2265-622: A single breeding male, which excludes all other males, often by combat. Antelope pursue a number of defense strategies, often dictated by their morphology. Large antelope that gather in large herds, such as wildebeest, rely on numbers and running speed for protection. In some species, adults will encircle the offspring, protecting them from predators when threatened. Many forest antelope rely on cryptic coloring and good hearing to avoid predators. Forest antelope often have very large ears and dark or striped colorations. Small antelope, especially duikers , evade predation by jumping into dense bush where
2416-536: A straightforward hierarchy that involves all females and males above the age of about seven months. Arabian oryxes tend to maintain visual contact with other herd members, with subordinate males taking positions between the main body of the herd and the outlying females. If separated, males will search areas where the herd last visited, settling into a solitary existence until the herd's return. Where water and grazing conditions permit, male Arabian oryxes establish territories. Bachelor males are solitary. A dominance hierarchy
2567-625: A study published in 1970, the French botanist Paul Mouterde enumerated 3,459 species in Syria and Lebanon, belonging to 865 genera in 131 families. Of these, approximately 300 species are endemic to Syria and Lebanon and not found elsewhere. In 2006, a total of 900 plant species belonging to 130 families were recorded in Syria. A study conducted by the Ministry of Local Administration has revealed that 3,100 seed-covered plant species, representing 1.4% of
2718-438: A thick, persistent sheath of horny material , both of which distinguish them from antlers. Antelope horns are efficient weapons, and tend to be better developed in those species where males fight over females (large herd antelope) than in solitary or lekking species. With male-male competition for mates, horns are clashed in combat. Males more commonly use their horns against each other than against another species. The boss of
2869-443: A threat to their livelihoods. Levantine wolves rely on the remains of carcasses and carcasses discarded by humans as a source of food. Some of the most common prey of these wolves are rock hyrax , Afar gazelles, mountain gazelles , and Nubian ibex . The most prevalent and well-known species of Levantine fox is the red fox . This species is particularly disliked by poultry farmers due to its predatory behavior, which often results in
3020-544: A wide geographical area. Bassia monticola is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Sarmacaceae family. Also, Cerastium cerastoides , and Saponaria pulvinars of the clove family, Ranunculus demissus , buttercup ( Ranunculus chionophiles ), mouse-tail buttercup ( Ranunculus myosuroides ), and Lebanese poppy ( Papaver libanoticum ), Draba , Alyssum of the cruciferous family , Pisum formium , and lentil chickpeas ( Cicer ervoides ), Astragalus of
3171-510: A wide range of habitats. Most live in the African savannahs . However, many species are more secluded, such as the forest antelope, as well as the extreme cold-living saiga , the desert-adapted Arabian oryx , the rocky koppie -living klipspringer , and semiaquatic sitatunga . Species living in forests, woodland, or bush tend to be sedentary, but many of the plains species undertake long migrations. These enable grass-eating species to follow
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#17327760050493322-553: A word for unicorn is maintained. The Arabic translation alrim is the correct choice etymologically, meaning 'white oryx'. The Phoenix Zoo and the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society of London (now Fauna and Flora International ), with financial help from the World Wildlife Fund , are credited with saving the Arabian oryx from extinction. In 1962, these groups started the first captive-breeding herd in any zoo , at
3473-481: Is a consequence of the region's diverse climatic conditions and its strategic location at the crossroads of the ancient world, encompassing Asia, Africa, and Europe. This has resulted in the region acting as a conduit for the migration of numerous species, both northward and southward, and has led to the formation of distinct and occasionally conflicting climatic patterns. This enabled a vast array of creatures to colonize it. A significant number of species of megafauna in
3624-559: Is a medium-sized canid with a weight between 5 and 12 kilograms and a length of 60 to 90 centimeters. Its fur exhibits a variety of color patterns of white, black, and red. The animals are locally referred to as wawi due to their distinctive howling sound, which is well-known to villagers. Experts have noted that it is challenging to ascertain the current conservation status of Levantine jackals, given that they have been breeding with stray domesticated dogs for hundreds of years and producing numerous hybrids. There are five other cat species in
3775-590: Is at the confluence of the three continents that constituted the ancient world . It is a transition zone between the mountainous regions of the Iranian Turanian climate, the Mediterranean Basin , the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula , and the subtropical climate of Africa and southern Arabia . The distinctive characteristics of this location have influenced the composition of the flora and fauna, with some plant and animal species from
3926-738: Is at the confluence of these two mountain ranges. The Amanous Range extends to the Orontes River gully in the Gulf of Suwaidiya, with a maximum elevation of 2,240 meters. A second series, complementary to the first, extends from the mouth of the Orontes River to the southern Nahr al-Kabir . This series is known as the Nusairiya Mountains . The Akkar Plain serves to differentiate the Nusairiya Mountains from their southern extension within Mount Lebanon , in this latter region,
4077-493: Is beneficial as it kills mice. The second species is common in open deciduous forests and some coastal areas, while the third species is mainly a desert animals which can are found in the south Levant from the Negev Desert to Jerusalem and surrounding areas. They are known to exhibit a ferocity that allows them to kill even the most venomous snakes and to resist attacks by larger predators. A single species of mongoose ,
4228-462: Is characterized by annual or perennial herbaceous plants and small drought-tolerant shrubs, with an annual rainfall of less than 200 millimeters. The flora of this environment includes a number of herbaceous plant genera , including Achillea with several species, Anthemis , Astragalus , Ducrosia , Citrullus colocynthis , Aizoanthemum ( Aizoon ), Ephedra , Bromus , Kamash ( Andrachne ), Alhagi , and Ixiolirion . The plant life of
4379-556: Is colloquially referred to as the "American antelope", despite the fact that it belongs to a completely different family ( Antilocapridae ) than the true Old-World antelopes; pronghorn are the sole extant member of an extinct prehistoric lineage that once included many unique species. Although antelope are sometimes referred to, and easily misidentified as, "deer" ( cervids ), true deer are only distantly related to antelope. While antelope are found in abundance in Africa, only one deer species
4530-410: Is created within the herd by posturing displays, which avoid the danger of serious injury their long, sharp horns could potentially inflict. Males and females use their horns to defend the sparse territorial resources against interlopers. The Arabian oryx changes its physiology and behaviour at different times of the year to increase survival during times when food and water are in limited supply. During
4681-769: Is derived from the Old French antelop , itself derived from Medieval Latin ant(h)alopus , which in turn comes from the Byzantine Greek word ἀνθόλοψ, anthólops , first attested in Eustathius of Antioch ( c. 336 ), according to whom it was a fabulous animal "haunting the banks of the Euphrates, very savage, hard to catch and having long, saw-like horns capable of cutting down trees". It perhaps derives from Greek ἀνθος, anthos (flower) and ώψ, ops (eye), perhaps meaning "beautiful eye" or alluding to
Arabian oryx - Misplaced Pages Continue
4832-663: Is distinctive, particularly given that they are typically situated in arid surroundings. An example of a marsh is Sabkhat al-Jabbul in eastern Aleppo. This sabkha receives its water from two sources: winter floods and, more recently, summer agricultural drainage from the irrigated As-Safira plains. The Sanjak of Alexandretta encompasses a number of geographical features, including lakes such as Tiberias , Lake Khatuniyah , and Qattinah , as well as swampy areas such as Houla, Azraq, and Lake Amik . Fifty or more species of halophytes are found in Sabkhat al-Jabbul , on its shores and on
4983-646: Is distributed throughout the entire country and across all of its natural habitats, despite its reputation as a desert animal. Despite its reputation as a desert animal, The only recognized breed of this species is found in the Levant, with the most significant populations concentrated in the Negev and the Dead Sea Depression . The largest surviving felines of the Levantine region are tigers, which are classified into two breeds. According to various scholars,
5134-415: Is due to the high rainfall rates and cold temperatures experienced in winter, coupled with moderate temperatures in summer. The high mountains are distinguished by a paucity of species and a high degree of specialization, which is attributed to the cold and strong winds. The area has three distinct vegetation groups. The first group is the high tree line. The second is the snowy (or alpine) meadows. The third
5285-401: Is found in mid-altitude coastal mountain regions (above 800 meters above sea level) and inland mountains above 900 meters above sea level. This region is situated to the east and south of the aforementioned area and encompasses the majority of the central mountains of Syria , including Mount Aleppo ( Afrin ), Mount Zawiya , and portions of Lebanon's eastern mountains. Additionally, it includes
5436-616: Is found on the continent—the Barbary red deer of Northern Africa. By comparison, numerous deer species are usually found in regions of the world with fewer or no antelope species present, such as throughout Southeast Asia , Europe and all of the Americas . This is likely due to competition over shared resources, as deer and antelope fill a virtually identical ecological niche in their respective habitats. Countries like India, however, have large populations of endemic deer and antelope, with
5587-749: Is from the Greek orux (gazelle or antelope) and leukos (white). The Arabian oryx is also called the white oryx in English, dishon in Hebrew, and is known as maha, wudhaihi, baqar al-wahsh , and boosolah in Arabic . The name "oryx" was introduced by Peter Simon Pallas in 1767 for the common eland as Antilope oryx . He also scientifically described the Arabian oryx as Oryx leucoryx , giving its range as "Arabia, and perhaps Libya". In 1816, Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville subdivided
5738-425: Is hunted for its pelt, which is used in making shahtoosh wool, used in shawls. Since the fur can only be removed from dead animals, and each animal yields very little of the downy fur, several antelope must be killed to make a single shawl. This unsustainable demand has led to enormous declines in the chiru population. The saiga is hunted for its horns, which are considered an aphrodisiac by some cultures. Only
5889-448: Is influenced by climatic and topographical factors. The following sections present an overview of the most significant climatic zones in the Levant, accompanied by a description of the plant communities that are characteristic of each zone. The humid Iranian- Turanian climate is prevalent in the high regions of the coastal mountains, particularly in the northern and central areas, including Amanous , Nusairiya, and Western Lebanon. This
6040-479: Is less dense in these mountains than in the coastal mountains due to the lack of humidity. The majority of the forest area in these regions consists of Brutia pine . In addition to this species, other cone species may be present, including Aleppo pine and Mediterranean cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens ). Several species of juniper ( Juniperus excelsa ) may also be present. Also sherbet juniper ( Juniperus oxycedrus ), Syrian juniper ( Juniperus drupacea ) and
6191-473: Is observed. Additionally, there are flora with potential for pastoral use, such as Salsola , Atriplex , Noaea , Haliyan , Peganum , Salmas , and Hanita . A number of medicinal plants native to these mountains and the surrounding region have been identified, including wild thyme , daja, catnip, wormwood, and capers . Beautiful wildflowers and plants such as anemones , buttercups , violets , roemeria , and Ixiolirion also grow. The region
Arabian oryx - Misplaced Pages Continue
6342-612: Is prized for supposed medicinal and magical powers in many places. The horn of the male saiga, in Eastern practice, is ground as an aphrodisiac, for which it has been hunted nearly to extinction. In the Congo , it is thought to confine spirits. The antelope's ability to run swiftly has also led to their association with the wind , such as in the Rig Veda , as the steeds of the Maruts and
6493-417: Is some variation of a brown colour (or several shades of brown), often with white or pale underbodies. Exceptions include the zebra-marked zebra duiker , the grey, black, and white Jentink's duiker , and the black lechwe . Most of the "spiral-horned" antelope have pale, vertical stripes on their backs. Many desert and semidesert species are particularly pale, some almost silvery or whitish (e.g. Arabian oryx);
6644-459: Is still a matter of debate, with several alternative systems proposed. Antelope are not a cladistic or taxonomically defined group. The term is used to describe all members of the family Bovidae that do not fall under the category of sheep , cattle , or goats . Usually, all species of the Antilopinae , Hippotraginae , Reduncinae , Cephalophinae , many Bovinae , the grey rhebok , and
6795-599: Is the national animal of Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain , and Qatar . The Arabian oryx is also the namesake of several businesses on the Arabian peninsula, notably Al Maha Airways and Al Maha Petroleum . In the King James Version of the Bible , the word re’em is translated as 'unicorn'. In Modern Hebrew , the name re'em lavan , meaning white oryx, is used in error for
6946-523: Is the large-fruited thistle. In areas characterized by swamps and freshwater streams, trees and shrubs such as the Syrian maran also known as the Syrian elm ( Fraxinus syriaca ), eucalyptus , and the giant juniper ( Arundo donax ) are observed to flourish. The interior of the region is characterized by the presence of saltwater marshes ( sabkha ) and waterways . Additionally, there are several freshwater lakes. The plant life in each of these lakes
7097-553: Is the semi-alpine or subalpine meadows. The mountainous regions of this area, situated at elevations of 1800 to 2500 meters above sea level, are home to diverse forests of coniferous species, including the Syrian shuh and Lebanese cedar , which require cold climates for optimal growth. In contrast, lower elevations are characterized by the presence of Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis ) and Brutia pine ( Pinus brutia ). In this climatic zone, forests comprising broadleaf trees, including
7248-584: The Americas , though the nominate saiga subspecies occurred in North America during the Pleistocene. North America is currently home to the native pronghorn , which taxonomists do not consider a member of the antelope group, but which is often locally referred to as such (e.g., "American antelope"). In Europe , several extinct species occur in the fossil record, and the saiga was found widely during
7399-627: The Arabah Valley to increase their numbers, which have declined significantly. The wildcat is the most common feline species in the Levant, the ancestor of the domesticated cat , and still lives mainly in the Negev and the western mountain range of Lebanon, in Jordan and several parts of Syria. The most common breed in the country is the Libyan breed, which is believed to be the direct ancestor of
7550-579: The Bethlehem caterpillar ( Astragalus bethlehiticus ). Also, Hermonian astragalus ( Astragalus hermonis ), Noaea mucronata , and Lebanese gumball ( Acantholimon libanoticum ). Species of hibiscus ( Ononis ) and ambergris ( Pandanus , long-thorned, velvet, and tamarisk ). To preserve the region's flora, several reserves have been established. These include the Shuh and Cedar Reserve in Slinfah ,
7701-458: The Egyptian mongoose , is endemic to the Levant. This species is known to transmit visceral leishmaniasis . The habitat of these mongooses extends from South Africa through the Levant to Turkey, and has been introduced to Italy and Madagascar . They are most commonly found in forests, scrubland , and hedgerows in close proximity to a permanent source of water. The status of these animals in
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#17327760050497852-616: The Euphrates River , the Khabur River , the Jordan River , and the river islands, there are vestiges of moisture-loving forests comprising Euphrates poplar , white willow , and thistle . The lower course of the Jordan River is characterized by saline vegetation , similar to that found in sabkhat areas, as a result of the salinization of the river water and the surrounding land in this section. The most notable species
8003-728: The Fertile Crescent , which stretches from northern Iraq and Upper Mesopotamia to the plains of Aleppo , Hama , the Hauran Plain , and the Besan Plain. On the northern ( Upper Mesopotamia and the foothills of the Taurus Mountains ) and western margins of these regions (on the western slopes of the mountains), degraded steppe forests are found, comprising Atlantic ducks, hawthorn species, wild almond species (the plum genus ), grasses , and legumes . In
8154-570: The Golan has been adversely affected by the consequences of the Israeli occupation , in addition to the actions of farmers, shepherds, and tourists. A significant number of Israeli settlements have been constructed in forested and wooded areas, including Eli, Ariel, Qadumim, Alon Moreh, and Bracha in Nablus , Jabal Abu Ghneim in Bethlehem , Matisyahu and Kiryat Sefer, and the majority of settlements in
8305-583: The Golan Heights . A total of 78% of the loss of forest land in the West Bank can be attributed to the activities of settlements. Furthermore, Israel has been exploiting natural areas for tourism, which has had a detrimental impact on the environment. For example, in the Ein al-Fashkha area on the shore of the Dead Sea , trees were cleared, leaving only one acacia tree, and the area of Salvadora persica trees
8456-563: The Hebron Mountains in the south. The hilly and mountainous areas continue to Ras Muhammad in the southernmost part of Sinai . Mount Ebal is the highest peak in the Nablus Mountains (981 m), while the Hebron Mountains reach their highest point at Halhul (1020 m). The length of this mountain range, extending from Kahramanmaraş to Ras Muhammad , exceeds 1,100 kilometers. The parallel chain begins with
8607-557: The Latakia Mountains , while the lowest rates, below 200 millimeters per year, are observed in the Syrian Desert . Temperature fluctuations are observed, with the highest values occurring during the summer in desert regions and the lowest in mountainous areas and some interior areas. While the Jordan Valley and the coastal plain remain relatively warm in winter, temperatures frequently drop below zero degrees Celsius in
8758-622: The Levant , Shaam , or Greater Syria . This is the region that today includes the following countries: Jordan , Israel , Palestine , Syria (including the Sanjak of Alexandretta ), Lebanon , and a section of southeastern Turkey, known as the Northern Syrian provinces , to which some add Cyprus and part of the Sinai . The Levantine region is notable for its remarkable biodiversity, which
8909-853: The Pleistocene but did not persist into the later Holocene , except in Russian Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast . Many species of antelope have been imported to other parts of the world, especially the United States, for exotic game hunting. With some species possessing spectacular leaping and evasive skills, individuals may escape. Texas in particular has many game ranches, as well as habitats and climates that are very hospitable to African and Asian plains antelope species. Accordingly, wild populations of blackbuck antelope, gemsbok , and nilgai may be found in Texas. Antelope live in
9060-564: The asafoetida of the Xanthorrhoea genus . A diverse range of Boerhavia and Commicarpus species can be found within the alum ( Nyctaginaceae ) family. The Jordan Valley , extending from Lake Hula to the southern Dead Sea , is distinguished by a subtropical climate and a low frost incidence, which facilitate the growth of tropical and subtropical plants. The introduction of plants such as palms , bananas, and citrus has been observed. Examples of wild plants in these areas include
9211-399: The beisa and southern oryxes have gray and black pelages with vivid black-and-white faces. Common features of various gazelles are white rumps, which flash a warning to others when they run from danger, and dark stripes midbody (the latter feature is also shared by the springbok and beira). The springbok also has a pouch of white, brushlike hairs running along its back, which opens up when
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#17327760050499362-428: The elands . These antelope sometimes jump over each other's backs when alarmed, but this incongruous talent seems to be exploited only by wild members of the species; tame elands do not take advantage of it and can be enclosed within a very low fence. Their meat, milk, and hides are all of excellent quality, and experimental eland husbandry has been going on for some years in both Ukraine and Zimbabwe. In both locations,
9513-450: The impala are called antelope. More species of antelope are native to Africa than to any other continent, almost exclusively in savannahs , with 25-40 species co-occurring over much of East Africa. Because savannah habitat in Africa has expanded and contracted five times over the last three million years, and the fossil record indicates this is when most extant species evolved, it is believed that isolation in refugia during contractions
9664-442: The legume family, hornwort and several species of citronella , fleshy flax ( Linum carnulosum ), Euphorbia caudiculosa , and Lebanese violets ( Viola libanotica ). Also, Veronica bombycina , tufted fringe flower ( Veronica caespitosa ). Crocus species, including Crocus hermoneus and Crocus kotschyanus are also widely distributed. The subalpine or subalpine meadow group encompasses pillow shaped plants such as
9815-401: The 1980s. Some sources continue to assert the presence of a few tigers in the Galilee and Golan regions. However, experts have posited that these may be Arabian tigers. In Syria and Lebanon , these tigers are extinct. With regard to the family of seals , the Levant is represented by a single species, the Mediterranean monk seal . This species is classified as endangered globally, with
9966-452: The 220,000 known species worldwide, have been documented in Syria. Furthermore, 12 species of gymnosperms were identified. The most significant families are Asteraceae , angiosperms , and legumes . A total of 47 genera and 450 species of legumes are documented in Syria. The cattad is the most diverse species in the Levant, with Post recording 115 species distributed throughout the Levant and Sinai . The distribution of plant ecosystems
10117-409: The Arabian breed is found in the deserts of Palestine and Jordan, and is the smallest of the remaining gray wolf breeds. Iranian wolves are legally protected in Israel and are estimated to number around 150 in their natural habitat. In the remainder of the Levant, there are no official statistics on their numbers. Furthermore, they are still hunted and persecuted by livestock farmers who perceive them as
10268-449: The Arabian oryx consist mainly of grasses , but they eat a large variety of vegetation, including buds , herbs , fruit , tubers and roots . Herds of Arabian oryxes follow infrequent rains to eat the new plants that grow afterwards. They can go for several weeks without water. In Oman, it primarily eats grasses of the genus Stipagrostis , flowers from Stipagrostis plants appeared highest in crude protein and water, while leaves seemed
10419-432: The Chouf Cedar Nature Reserve, and the Farnalq Reserve. It has been demonstrated that plants that were previously considered to be absent from the Levant have now been identified in the Shuh and Cedars Reserve. These include the glossy-backed or ornamental lavender ( Ruscus hypoglossum ), a herbaceous perennial . This serves to illustrate the significance of reserves in the conservation of wildlife. This climatic level
10570-410: The Levant are the Rüppell's fox and the Afghan fox. The first species, also known as the sand fox, is primarily a desert animal, with a range extending from Morocco in the west to the foothills of Afghanistan in the east. It can be distinguished from the red fox by its smaller size and sandy color. The Afghan fox , also known as the Blandford's fox , steppe fox , and other names, is a common species in
10721-585: The Levant have become extinct as a result of the destruction of natural habitats for the purpose of human settlement and exploitation, or due to overhunting since ancient times. Since the late 20th century, several nature reserves have been established throughout the Levant, sometimes through local and sometimes through international efforts, with the goal of preserving the remaining animal species and their natural habitats. Some of these reserves have been highly successful in preserving wildlife and their habitats. The Levant and Iraq (the Fertile Crescent ) represent
10872-428: The Levant is analogous to that of mustelidae , which are despised by poultry farmers but appreciated by farmers for their ability to kill mice and rats. As with the mongoose family, the hyena family is currently represented by only one species in the Levant, the striped hyena . This species is the largest surviving predator in Lebanon and Syria. Furthermore, the Levant hyenas are considered the largest striped hyenas in
11023-533: The Levant is of paramount importance on Earth, not only due to the pivotal human events that have transpired there, but also due to its distinctive geological structure and the remarkable diversity of its terrain, climate, fauna , and flora . The Levant denotes the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea , extending eastward to the borders of Mesopotamia and extends from the Taurus mountain range in
11174-657: The Levant. Humans introduced a few species of mammals to the region, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unknowingly, and released them into the wild. Today, the number of mammal species in Lebanon is 57, in Syria 71, in Jordan 70, and in Israel and the Palestinian territories 96, which means that the Levant's mammal diversity is comparable to that of Europe. Additionally, certain domesticated mammal breeds are endemic to
11325-744: The Levant. Of these, the Awassi sheep is particularly noteworthy, having its origins in the Levantine wilderness. Similarly, the Damascene goat and the Asafi sheep, a hybrid of the local Awassi and the European East Frisian , are also indigenous. In the Levant, the carnivores are represented by six families: Mustelidae (mustelids), Herpestidae (mongooses), Hyaenidae (hyenas), Canidae (canids or dogs), Phocidae (earless seals) and Felidae (felid or cats). The marten still inhabits
11476-479: The Levant. Their numbers have declined sharply and are still declining due to the expansion of agricultural land and the draining of the marshes surrounding some large rivers, such as the Yarmuk , Jordan , and Litani . Additionally, farmers poison and shoot them when they are seen, due to their habit of feeding on poultry. The third largest surviving feline in the Levant is the caracal , or desert lynx . This species
11627-461: The Levant: the sand cat , wild cat , jungle cat , caracal , and leopard . The sand cat is the smallest of the Levantine cats, it measures between 1.4 and 3.4 kilograms and is between 39 and 57 centimeters long, not including the tail. These cats can be distinguished from others by their flatter head, sandy color, and exclusively desert habitat. Environmental authorities in Israel are working to breed and release as many of these cats as possible in
11778-654: The Phoenix Zoo, sometimes referred to as " Operation Oryx ". Starting with nine animals, the Phoenix Zoo has had over 240 successful births. From Phoenix, Arabian oryxes were sent to other zoos and parks to start new herds. In 1968, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, out of concern for the land's wildlife , particularly ungulates such as the Arabian oryx, founded the Al Ain Zoo to conserve them. Arabian oryxes were hunted to extinction in
11929-581: The UAE. This is the first time the IUCN has reclassified a species as vulnerable after it had been listed as extinct in the wild. The Arabian oryx is also listed in CITES Appendix I. Antelope A better definition, also known as the "true antelopes", includes only the genera Gazella , Nanger , Eudorcas , and Antilope . One North American mammal, the pronghorn or "pronghorn antelope",
12080-608: The United Kingdom . Oldfield Thomas renamed the scimitar oryx as Oryx algazal in 1903 and gave the Arabian oryx its original name. The Arabian oryx' coat is an almost luminous white, the undersides and legs are brown, and black stripes occur where the head meets the neck, on the forehead, on the nose, and going from the horn down across the eye to the mouth. Both sexes have long, straight or slightly curved, ringed horns which are 0.61–1.49 m (2–4.9 ft). It stands between 0.79 and 1.25 m (2.6 and 4.1 ft) tall at
12231-476: The animal has proved wholly amenable to domestication. Similarly, European visitors to Arabia reported "tame gazelles are very common in the Asiatic countries of which the species is a native; and the poetry of these countries abounds in allusions both to the beauty and the gentleness of the gazelle." Other antelope that have been tamed successfully include the gemsbok , the kudu , and the springbok . Nor are
12382-503: The animal senses danger, causing the dorsal hairs to stand on end. Many antelope are sexually dimorphic. In most species, both sexes have horns, but those of males tend to be larger. Males tend to be larger than the females, but exceptions in which the females tend to be heavier than the males include the bush duiker , dwarf antelope , Cape grysbok , and oribi , all rather small species. A number of species have hornless females (e.g., sitatunga , red lechwe , and suni ). In some species,
12533-421: The animal that antelope do not typically display. Most species are difficult to contain in any density, due to the territoriality of the males, or in the case of oryxes (which have a relatively hierarchical social structure), an aggressive disposition; they can easily kill a human. Because many have extremely good jumping abilities, providing adequate fencing is a challenge. Also, antelope will consistently display
12684-505: The animals' long eyelashes. This, however, may be a folk etymology in Greek based on some earlier root. The word talopus and calopus , from Latin, came to be used in heraldry . In 1607, it was first used for living, cervine animals . There are 91 antelope species, most of which are native to Africa, occur in about 30 genera. The classification of tribes or subfamilies within Bovoidea
12835-656: The antelope group, adopted Oryx as a genus name, and changed the species name Antilope oryx to Oryx gazella . In 1826, Martin Lichtenstein confused matters by transferring the name Oryx leucoryx to the scimitar oryx , now Oryx dammah . The Zoological Society of London obtained the first living individual in Europe in 1857. Not realizing this might be the Oryx leucoryx of previous authors, John Edward Gray proposed calling it Oryx beatrix after Princess Beatrice of
12986-778: The center of the gully and flows northward between the two mountain ranges in the Beqaa Valley , the Al-Ghab Plain , and the Amik Valley , ultimately discharging into the Mediterranean Sea. From a nearby point, the Jordan River rises and flows in a southerly direction, traversing the Hula Valley , the edges of the Beisan Plain , and the Jordan Valley , before ultimately flowing into the Dead Sea ,
13137-637: The center of the three continents of the ancient world has served for millions of years as a natural crossing point for mammals migrating south from Europe and north from Africa. These species met in the Levant and colonized their diverse natural habitats, some of which have evolved over time into breeds unique to this region. Many large Levantine mammals became extinct, for unnatural reasons in most cases, mainly hunting and destruction of habitats to reclaim fertile lands, while other species became extinct for natural reasons in prehistoric times, mainly climate change , and their fossils have been found in various places in
13288-540: The characteristics described above necessarily barriers to domestication; for further information, see animal domestication . A wide variety of antelope hybrids have been recorded in zoos, game parks, and wildlife ranches, due to either a lack of more appropriate mates in enclosures shared with other species or a misidentification of species. The ease of hybridization shows how closely related some antelope species are. With few exceptions, most hybrid antelope occur only in captivity. Most hybrids occur between species within
13439-540: The concept may have originated from the translation of the Hebrew word re'em into Greek as μονόκερως, monokeros , in the Septuagint . In Psalm 22:21, the word karen , meaning horn, is written in singular. The Roman Catholic Vulgata and the Douay-Rheims Bible translated re'em as rhinoceros; other translations are names for a wild bull, wild oxen, buffalo, or gaur , but in some languages,
13590-569: The construction of the Hejaz railway and the outbreak of World War I . The resulting deforestation led to soil erosion and the disappearance of numerous plant species. The plant biodiversity of the Levant is being degraded, which could lead to the extinction of some plant species. One of the indicators used to signify the risk of extinction is the ratio of the number of species to the number of genera. The ratio of species to genera in Palestine
13741-434: The cool night air lowers its temperature back to the normal range. The oryx’s arterial blood temperature is partly powered by a network of small arterial vessels with a large surface area called the rete mirabile , which branches from the two carotid arteries to the brain and allows for heat exchange between warm arterial blood and the cooler blood in the sinus cavities. Because of these changes in behaviour and physiology, it
13892-421: The different species generally keeping to their own "niches" with minimal overlap. Unlike deer, in which the males sport elaborate head antlers that are shed and regrown annually, antelope horns are bone and grow steadily, never falling off. If a horn is broken, it will either remain broken or take years to partially regenerate, depending on the species. The English word "antelope" first appeared in 1417 and
14043-533: The domesticated cat. These cats are readily mistaken for their domesticated cousins, though they are larger but more compact. Another Levantine feline is the bush feline, also known as the swamp feline, of which there are two breeds in the Levant, inhabiting northwestern Jordan , Syria along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, western Lebanon, northern Israel, and the West Bank . Despite their widespread distribution, these felines are considered rare and endangered in
14194-448: The duikers and dwarf antelope tend to be simple "spikes", but differ in the angle to the head from backward curved and backward pointing (e.g. yellow-backed duiker ) to straight and upright (e.g. steenbok ). Other groups have twisted (e.g. common eland ), spiral (e.g. greater kudu ), "recurved" (e.g. the reedbucks ), lyrate (e.g. impala ), or long, curved (e.g. the oryxes ) horns. Horns are not shed and their bony cores are covered with
14345-448: The early settlement of Palestine by Jewish farmers, the striped hyena was a frequent target of organized poisoning campaigns. Currently, the animals are legally protected in Israel and hunting is prohibited. But the small size of the natural reserves they inhabit poses a threat to inbreeding. In Jordan , the hunting of animals remains a common practice, with most villagers viewing them as a potential threat to themselves and their livestock,
14496-519: The end of its snout. This bizarre and inaccurate form was invented by European heralds in the Middle Ages, who knew little of foreign animals and made up the rest. The antelope was mistakenly imagined to be a monstrous beast of prey; the 16th century poet Edmund Spenser referred to it as being "as fierce and fell as a wolf ." Antelope can all also occur in their natural form, in which case they are termed "natural antelope" to distinguish them from
14647-399: The flanks is diverse, encompassing numerous genera, including Atriplex , Hammada , Haloxylon , Anabasis , Artemisia , Noaea , Peganum , and Calligonum . The aforementioned environments are inhabited by annual and perennial herbaceous species. A diverse array of bulbous and tuberous species exists, including the clove and Bellevalia of the asparagus family and
14798-460: The flats between the softer dunes and ridges. Arabian oryxes have been reintroduced to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel , the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Jordan. A small population was introduced on Hawar Island, Bahrain, and large semi-managed populations at several sites in Qatar and the UAE. The total reintroduced population is now estimated to be around 1,000. This puts the Arabian oryx well over
14949-411: The giant jungle, which is found in areas of watercourses and valleys. The Negev region is distinguished by the presence of certain species that represent an extension of the vegetation found in Africa. These species include the gallant titan ( Calotropis procera ) and four species of acacia , one of which is the twisted acacia ( Acacia tortilis ). Additionally, numerous plant species are found in
15100-514: The ground floor of these forests. The second cluster in this climate is the alpine and nival meadows cluster, which is distinguished by sparse vegetation cover, comprising species that are perennial in mountainous locations. A number of species belonging to the Asphodeline genus ( Asphodeline taurica ) and the Allium genus ( Allium makmelianum and garlic butterbur) are distributed across
15251-567: The highest mountains of the Levant are situated and reach a peak height of 3088 meters in Qurnat as Sawda' . Proceeding in a southerly direction, the mountains begin to recede from the sea and gradually diminish in height. The highest peak in the Galilee ( Jabal al-Jarmaq ) reaches an altitude of 1,208 meters. The Nablus Mountains originate from Mount Carmel in Haifa and extend until they merge with
15402-445: The highlands and mountains, and to a lesser extent in the coastal plain of Palestine, and is the most common Levantine sable. Poultry farmers view them with disdain due to their sporadic thefts, whereas farmers regard them as beneficial as they consume rodents that otherwise would destroy crops. The Eurasian otter is widely distributed throughout Levantine canals and waterways, particularly those that are not heavily polluted. Some of
15553-575: The highlands and the interior. The French botanist Jacques Labillardière published a study of plants from Mount Lebanon, Qalamoun , Damascus , and Cyprus between 1791 and 1812 under the title in Latin Icones plantarum Syriae rariorum . Following this, there were a number of less comprehensive studies until Pierre Edmond Boissier published his celebrated Latin Flora Orientalis in five volumes between 1867 and 1888. This work records
15704-465: The horns is typically arranged in such a way that two antelope striking at each other's horns cannot crack each other's skulls, making a fight via horn more ritualized than dangerous. Many species have ridges in their horns for at least two-thirds the length of their horns, but these ridges are not a direct indicator of age. Antelope are often classified by their reproductive behavior. Small antelope, such as dik-diks , tend to be monogamous. They live in
15855-476: The islands within it. This represents the largest number of species of any Syrian sabkha. The majority of these species are herbaceous , while a few are shrubby . Initial in situ studies have identified previously unrecorded species within the Syrian flora, including Arthrocnemum fruticosum and Halopeplis perfoliata . The lake's shoreline is lined with short fescue ( Aeluropus lagopoides ) and large-fruited fescue ( Tamarix macrocarpa ) bushes. Additionally,
16006-555: The list of threatened plants. For instance, the Biodiversity Research Center in Nablus has published a red list of endangered plants in the West Bank and Gaza Strip . The list comprises 334 plant species from 222 genera belonging to 81 families. The list includes a number of significant plant species, including wild almonds , figs , hawthorn , willow , poplar, sedr and arak, as well as bear peach , Syrian pear and Syrian maran. The Levant's location at
16157-608: The loss of chickens, pigeons, and other domesticated birds . Two distinct breeds of red foxes are found in the Levant: The Arabian breed is native to the desert, while the Palestinian breed is indigenous to forests, plains, and mountains. The two breeds are readily distinguishable. The former is characterized by a slender physique, pale coloration, and prominent ears. In contrast, the latter is more robust and fuller in appearance. The other two species of fox native to
16308-602: The lowest point on Earth's surface. To the west of the coastal range lies a narrow coastal plain strip that widens and narrows. The coastal plain reaches its maximum width in the south of the Gaza Strip , where it disappears completely at certain points, such as Jebel Aqra , situated to the south of the Alexandretta, and in Jounieh and Mount Carmel , where the feet of the mountains are washed by seawater. The Levant
16459-465: The majority of the aforementioned Levantine environments. Among these is the iris , which comprises more than thirty species in the Levant. At least fifty species of the genus Allium and forty species of Centaurea are commonly found in the Levant, extending from Kahramanmaraş to Sinai . In addition, the clove family includes more than sixty species of the genus Silene , which are distributed across various regions. The Asteraceae family, on
16610-486: The males and females have differently coloured pelages (e.g. blackbuck and nyala ). Antelope are ruminants , so they have well-developed molar teeth , which grind cud (food balls stored in the stomach) into a pulp for further digestion. They have no upper incisors, but rather a hard upper gum pad, against which their lower incisors bite to tear grass stems and leaves. Like many other herbivores , antelope rely on keen senses to avoid predators. Their eyes are placed on
16761-542: The males have horns, and have been so heavily hunted that some herds contain up to 800 females to one male. The species has shown a steep decline and is critically endangered. It is difficult to determine how long antelope live in the wild. With the preference of predators towards old and infirm individuals, which can no longer sustain peak speeds, few wild prey-animals live as long as their biological potential. In captivity, wildebeest have lived beyond 20 years old, and impalas have reached their late teens. The antelope's horn
16912-399: The middle of the 20th century, the northern population was effectively extinct. The last Arabian oryx in the wild before reintroduction was reported in 1972. Arabian oryxes prefer to range in gravel deserts or hard sand, where their speed and endurance will protect them from most predators and hunters on foot. In the sand deserts in Saudi Arabia, they used to be found in the hard sand areas of
17063-517: The more usual heraldic antelope. The arms previously used by the Republic of South Africa featured a natural antelope, along with an oryx . Wildlife of the Levant The wildlife of the Levant encompasses all types of wild plants and animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians , fresh and saltwater fish, and invertebrates, that inhabit the region historically known as
17214-577: The most notable locations where they can still be observed include Swamp Amik in Lebanon, Lake Hula in Palestine, Lake Qaraoun , Orontes River , Zarqa River , and the Jordan River . They are the largest freshwater mammals in the region. The most conspicuous species in the Levant are the lesser weasel , the Eurasian badger , and the honey badger or skunk . The first species colonizes forests, meadows, and areas adjacent to villages, and its presence
17365-804: The mountains of the Levant. In these regions, the advent of agricultural systems is observed. Olive groves , almond groves , vineyards , and fig trees are among the most common agricultural products found in this region. One of the nature reserves located in this region is the Al-Lathab Reserve. These areas share much of the vegetation of the previous region. In the hilly areas is the Mediterranean forest consisting of one or both types of pine , in addition to other species such as carob . The proportion of shrubs , perennial herbs and annuals increases in this region. The herbaceous species include lupine , civet and vetch . These areas include
17516-638: The next segment of the chain. After a plain that extends for approximately 60 kilometers through Hauran , the Ajloun mountain range begins. The chain continues through the As-Salt , Moab , and Al-Sharat mountains to the Gulf of Aqaba , where it connects with the Hijaz Mountains . In addition to the two mountain ranges previously mentioned, there are numerous other internal mountains scattered throughout
17667-564: The north to the Sinai Peninsula in the south. The Levant is distinguished by the presence of two parallel mountain ranges, the western and eastern, which extend from the northern to the southern extremities of the region in a north–south orientation parallel to the coastline. The West Coastal Range is located in the White River region near Kahramanmaraş . Situated between the Taurus and Amanus mountains. Its northernmost point
17818-477: The one-horned unicorn may be based on oryxes that have lost one horn. Aristotle and Pliny the Elder held that the oryx was the unicorn's "prototype". From certain angles, the oryx may seem to have one horn rather than two, and given that its horns are made from hollow bone that cannot be regrown, if an Arabian oryx were to lose one of its horns, for the rest of its life, it would have only one. Another source for
17969-483: The origin of numerous plants that were subsequently domesticated and became integral to agricultural practices. These include two varieties of wheat, barley , lentils , chickpeas , caraway , peas , and flax , collectively known as the founding crops of civilization . Additionally, fruit trees such as almonds, olives, figs, and a diverse array of medicinal , aromatic , and ornamental plants originated in this region. As posited by botanist George Edward Post ,
18120-482: The other hand, comprises thirty-seven species of Anthemis . The Levant is experiencing a decline in vegetation due to a multitude of human and natural factors. At the conclusion of the Ottoman era in the Levant, extensive tracts of forests, hillside forests, and mountain foothills were felled to provide timber for railroad construction and to fuel steam trains, particularly in the southern and interior regions due to
18271-533: The peaks of southern Lebanon , the Galilee Mountains , Mount Ajloun , the Nablus Mountains , and the Hebron Mountains . The climate of these mountains is less humid than that of the high peaks of the coastal mountains. This is due to the lower levels of humidity in the atmosphere, which in turn affects the density of the vegetation. The vegetation representative of the Mediterranean Basin
18422-525: The plains of the Mesopotamia , plants characteristic of the semi-desert climate are found, including acacia , and artemisia , as well as perennial herbaceous plants such as tamarix , capers , Salsola , and cattails . In these regions, grain farming is prevalent where groundwater or irrigation canals are absent, such as the Euphrates Plains and eastern Aleppo . On the banks of
18573-755: The plants he observed during his travels between Aswan and Aleppo . In 1896, the American botanist George Post published the most comprehensive modern survey of the flora of the Levant, titled Flora of Syria, Palestine and Sinai , which was published by the Syrian Protestant College in Beirut, which later became the American University . In an updated version of this book, published in Beirut in 1932, he recorded approximately 4,200 species from 955 genera and 142 families. In
18724-476: The predator cannot pursue. Springboks use a behavior known as stotting to confuse predators. Open grassland species have nowhere to hide from predators, so they tend to be fast runners. They are agile and have good endurance —these are advantages when pursued by sprint-dependent predators such as cheetahs , which are the fastest of land animals, but tire quickly. Reaction distances vary with predator species and behaviour. For example, gazelles may not flee from
18875-400: The protected virgin areas of the Levant, some in close proximity to villages, towns, and farms. Its habit of feasting on poultry and cultivated fruits and vegetables has caused it much trouble with farmers, and its valuable fur has led to it being persecuted and hunted in many areas. Another familiar Levantine Mustelidae, the veined weasel or veined horse-mouse, is still common, especially in
19026-431: The rains and thereby their food supply. The gnus and gazelles of East Africa perform some of the most impressive mass migratory circuits of all mammals. Antelope vary greatly in size. For example, a male common eland can measure 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) at the shoulder and weigh almost 950 kg (2,100 lb), whereas an adult royal antelope may stand only 24 cm ( 9 + 1 ⁄ 2 in) at
19177-587: The region. These include Jabal al-Balaas, the Palmyrene mountain range, Mount Abdulaziz , and Jabal al-Druze . Inland, the highest peaks in Jabal al-Druze reach approximately 1,840 meters. A deep, narrow valley extends between these two mountain ranges, forming the northern portion of the Great Rift Valley . This valley contains the lowest point on Earth's surface. The Orontes River has its source in
19328-470: The same day. The climate of the region can be broadly classified into three categories: sub-humid Turanian in the high mountains, Mediterranean in the coastal areas, and arid and desert in the interior, with subtropical conditions prevailing in the Jordan Valley . The climatic and topographical variation observed in the region results in considerable variation in annual precipitation rates. The highest rates, exceeding 1,500 millimeters per year, are observed in
19479-403: The same genus. All reported examples occur within the same subfamily. As with most mammal hybrids, the less closely related the parents, the more likely the offspring will be sterile. Antelope are a common symbol in heraldry , though they occur in a highly distorted form from nature. The heraldic antelope has the body of a stag and the tail of a lion , with serrated horns, and a small tusk at
19630-920: The scarlet oak ( Quercus coccinea ), hairy oak ( Quercus cerris ), green oak ( Quercus ilex ), Lebanese oak ( Quercus libani ), Brantian oak ( Quercus brantii ), cedar oak ( Quercus cedrorum ), and thuja oak ( Quercus infectoria ), are prevalent. Also, oriental oak ( Carpinus orientalis ), remnants of Mount Tabor oak ( Quercus ithaburensis ) or Turkey oak ( Quercus cerris ) and Sorbus torminalis . And, Euphrat poplar ( Populus euphratica ), weeping willow , white willow , oriental maple, evergreen maple ( Acer sempervirens ), and Mount Hermon maple ( Acer hermoneum ), broadleaf maple ( Acer obtusifolium ) or Syrian ( Acer syriacum ) and Montpellier maple ( Acer monspessulanum ), Alnus orientalis , Rhamnus cathartica , broadleaf chewing gum ( Euonymus latifolius ) Cotoneaster nummularia . Ferns , of which 22 species have been recorded in Syria, are common on
19781-606: The scimitar-horned oryxes living in the sanctuary Yotvata Hai Bar near Eilat. The scimitar oryx is called re'em Sahara . The Arabian name ri'ïm is the equivalent of the Hebrew name re'em , also meaning white oryx, suggesting a borrowing from the Early Modern Era. A Qatari oryx named "Orry" was chosen as the official games mascot for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha , and is shown on tailfins of planes belonging to Middle Eastern airline Qatar Airways . The myth of
19932-528: The second tiger population in the Levant, there is a divergence of opinion among scientists as to whether it should be regarded as a distinct breed, the Anatolian breed, or whether it should be included as a western population of the Persian breed. However, if it is considered a separate breed, the survival of any individuals is uncertain. The last documented sightings of tigers in northern Israel occurred in
20083-415: The shadows rapidly. Gazelle and springbok are known for their speed and leaping abilities. Even larger antelope, such as nilgai, elands , and kudus , are capable of jumping 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) or greater, although their running speed is restricted by their greater mass. Antelope have a wide variety of coverings, though most have a dense coat of short fur. In most species, the coat (pelage)
20234-546: The shoulder and typically weighs between 220 to 460 lb (100 to 209 kg). Historically, the Arabian oryx probably ranged throughout most of the Middle East . In the early 1800s, they could still be found in the Sinai , Palestine , the Transjordan , much of Iraq , and most of the Arabian Peninsula . During the 19th and early 20th centuries, their range was pushed back towards Saudi Arabia , and by 1914, only
20385-552: The shoulder and weigh a mere 1.5 kg ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 4 lb). Not surprisingly for animals with long, slender yet powerful legs, many antelope have long strides and can run fast. Some (e.g. klipspringer) are also adapted to inhabiting rock koppies and crags. Both dibatags and gerenuks habitually stand on their two hind legs to reach acacia and other tree foliage. Different antelope have different body types, which can affect movement. Duikers are short, bush-dwelling antelope that can pick through dense foliage and dive into
20536-806: The sides of their heads, giving them a broad radius of vision with minimal binocular vision. Their horizontally elongated pupils also help in this respect. Acute senses of smell and hearing give antelope the ability to perceive danger at night out in the open (when predators are often on the prowl). These same senses play an important role in contact between individuals of the same species; markings on their heads, ears, legs, and rumps are used in such communication. Many species "flash" such markings, as well as their tails; vocal communications include loud barks, whistles, "moos", and trumpeting; many species also use scent marking to define their territories or simply to maintain contact with their relatives and neighbors. The size and shape of antelope horns varies greatly. Those of
20687-474: The site. In June 2011, the Arabian oryx was relisted as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List . The IUCN estimated there were more than 1,200 Arabian oryx in the wild as of 4 December 2020 2016, with 6,000–7,000 held in captivity worldwide in zoos, preserves, and private collections. Some of these are in large, fenced enclosures (free-roaming), including those in Syria (Al Talila), Bahrain, Qatar, and
20838-472: The southern Levant, from southern Israel to the West Bank , and in Jordan . It is similar to other desert foxes, but is more likely to consume fruit than the majority of them. In the Levant, there is a single species of jackal , the golden jackal , which is also represented by a single breed in this region, the Syrian breed. This breed is distributed throughout the Levant, including deserts, forests, mountains, and plains. The Levantine jackal ( Canis aureus )
20989-1277: The stinky juniper ( Juniperus foetidissima ). Broadleaf species, including carob , elderberry , Palestinian ptarmigan ( Pistacia palaestina ), and Atlantic ptarmigan ( Pistacia atlantica ). Additionally, the turpentine ptarmigan ( Pistacia terebinthus ), the lenticular ptarmigan ( Pistacia lentiscus ), the kalabrini oak or Palestinian oak ( Quercus calliprinos ), gray myrtle , Syrian myrtle ( Fraxinus syriaca ), wild olive , hawthorn species ( Crataegus ) and Syrian pear ( Pyrus syriaca ). In addition to, dirhamian jasmine ( Jasminium nummularia ), Palestinian suede ( Rhamnus palaestina ). Also, types of wild almonds can be found including, Levantine almonds, Arabic almonds, korshinskyi almonds ( Prunus korshinskyi ), common almond and mahaleb ( Prunus mahaleb ). Also, myrtle, eiderdown , and cranberry varieties can be found. Shrubs like bear peach, Jabal al-Sheikh maple ( Acer hermoneum ) and Cotoneaster nummularia are also present. Broadleaf buttonwood ( Phillyrea latifolia ) and Greek strawberry tree ( Arbutus andrachne ) are also present. High up in these mountains are some perennial species of Onobrychis (mountain, long-spined, Kochi, and Pendosi). The foothills of these mountains are also populated by
21140-411: The summer, when droughts are common in the desert environments where it lives, the Arabian oryx will drastically reduce its minimal fasting metabolic rate by lying completely inactive beneath shade trees during the day and ranging over smaller areas at night to forage. By letting its body temperature rise during the heat of the day, it uses less evaporative cooling and retains more body water, and at night,
21291-594: The surrounding areas now present. In addition to the influence of geographical location, the Levant is distinguished by a distinctive topographical and climatic diversity. The region encompasses areas where skiing is possible on Mount Hermon , the Western Lebanon mountain range, and the Amanous Mountains . It also includes locations where swimming in the Dead Sea or the Red Sea is feasible on
21442-648: The threshold of 250 mature individuals needed to qualify for endangered status. However, the majority of the population is concentrated in Saudi Arabia. Arabian oryxes rest during the heat of the day. They can detect rainfall and move towards it, meaning they have huge ranges; a herd in Oman can range over 3,000 km (1,200 sq mi). Packs are of mixed sex and usually contain between 2 and 15 animals, though herds of up to 100 have been reported. Arabian oryxes are generally not aggressive toward one another, which allows herds to exist peacefully for some time. The diets of
21593-546: The two breeds are the Arabian and the Persian or Anatolian . The Arabian tiger is still present in the Hebron and Negev deserts in small numbers, with an estimated population of around 20 in the 1970s. They prey on ibex , mountain gazelles , hyrax , and domesticated goats . In the 1970s, an estimated 20 tigers were present in the region, preying on ibex, mountain gazelles, wolverines, and domesticated goats. With regard to
21744-515: The wild starting in 1980. In 1986, the Arabian oryx was classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List , and in 2011, it was the first animal to revert to vulnerable status after previously being listed as extinct in the wild. It is listed in CITES Appendix I . In 2016, populations were estimated at 1,220 individuals in the wild, including 850 mature individuals, and 6,000–7,000 in captivity worldwide. The taxonomic name Oryx leucoryx
21895-626: The wild by 1972. By 1980, the number of Arabian oryxes in captivity had increased to the point that Arabian oryx reintroduction was started. The first release, to Oman, was attempted with Arabian oryxes from the San Diego Wild Animal Park . Although numbers in Oman have declined, there are now wild populations in Saudi Arabia and Israel , as well. One of the largest populations is found in Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area ,
22046-413: The wind god Vayu . There is, however, no scientific evidence that the horns of any antelope have any change on a human's physiology or characteristics. In Mali, antelope were believed to have brought the skills of agriculture to mankind. Humans have also used the term "Antelope" to refer to a tradition usually found in the sport of track and field. Domestication of animals requires certain traits in
22197-548: The world. The coloration of their manes distinguishes them from other packs. Rather than being entirely black, as are hyenas in Africa and India, their manes exhibit a mixture of black and gray. Levantine striped hyenas are known to consume significant quantities of human feces. They rely on the carcasses of wild and domesticated animals for a significant portion of their sustenance. Some scientists have proposed that they are capable of hunting and killing larger prey, although this hypothesis has yet to be empirically verified. During
22348-524: Was 3.3, in Syria and Lebanon it was 3.8, in Jordan it was 3.6, and in Egypt it was 2.2. A study published in 2011 by environmental organizations revealed that the primary threats to wild plants are urbanization, firewood collection, tourism, intensification of farming, and unsustainable harvesting. In Syria and Palestine, the unsustainable collection of medicinal and aromatic herbs for sale affects 91% of important plant areas. The wildlife of Palestine and
22499-534: Was a major driver of this diversification. Other species occur in Asia: the Arabian Peninsula is home to the Arabian oryx and Dorcas gazelle . South Asia is home to the nilgai , chinkara , blackbuck , Tibetan antelope , and four-horned antelope , while Russia and Central Asia have the Tibetan antelope and saiga . No antelope species is native to Australasia or Antarctica , nor do any extant species occur in
22650-426: Was reduced to only 3 dunams . The Levant is home to 226 site-limited plant species, distributed across an area of less than 100 km . Additionally, 183 range-limited species are present, with their distribution confined to an area of less than 5000 km . Furthermore, 23 threatened species have no defined range. Nevertheless other sources indicate that a considerably greater number of species are included on
22801-513: Was shown that Arabian oryx can reduce their urine volume, faecal water loss, and resting metabolic rate by at least 50%. Wolves are the Arabian oryx's only predator . In captivity and safe conditions in the wild, Arabian oryxes have a lifespan of up to 20 years. In periods of drought , though, their life expectancy may be significantly reduced by malnutrition and dehydration . Other causes of death include fights between males, snakebites, disease, and drowning during floods. The Arabian oryx
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