Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The sand cat is a feral feline that lives in the deserts of Egypt. Slightly bigger in size than the domestic cat, it has adapted to the Egyptian desert by forming thick fur on the bottom of its paws to protect it from the hot sands. It feeds on small rodents, insects and snakes, and gains all the moisture it needs from its prey, meaning it doesn't need to drink water, according to the Tour Egypt website. The sand cat is a solitary animal with a loud mating call that resembles a dog's bark. Because it is nocturnal, sightings of the sand cat are extremely rare.
The fennec is the world's smallest fox, inhabiting the Sahara Desert across North Africa, including Egypt. It withstands the desert's heat by having a small body, which reduces the loss of heat and water, and large eyes and ears to see and hear predators easily. The fennec's large ears also radiate heat, keeping it cool. Fennecs live in small communities of around 10 animals and have a diet that consists of rodents, eggs, insects and reptiles. According to National Geographic, the fennec is docile when born in captivity and it has become more common across America as a pet.
The saw-scaled viper is an extremely poisonous snake that lives in the Egyptian deserts. It only grows to around 18 inches in length, but has venom that is hemotoxic and can cause death in humans. Its name is derived from the rasping sound made by the sides of the snake rubbing together in its undulating movement. The snake is found in shades of brown, dull red or grey with white patterns on its sides. The head normally has two dark stripes that extend downwards from behind the eyes.
The desert hedgehog is also known as the Ethiopian hedgehog and is found across northern Africa, including Egypt. It inhabits the deserts of Egypt but prefers areas where water is more abundant, such as wadis and oases. The hedgehog has also been reported to live and shelter in rocky desert cliffs during the day. Its appearance is that of a typical hedgehog with a spiny coat, a long snout and a soft, furry underbelly. It is nocturnal and eats insects and occasionally the eggs of ground-nesting birds. The desert hedgehog hibernates during January and February.