Animals of Israel

Israel’s varied habitats — coastal marshes, Mediterranean woodlands, the Galilee hills and the Negev desert — create a compact but diverse stage for wildlife. Migratory routes and local ecosystems mean you can see seabirds, raptors, small mammals and more within short drives of major cities.

There are 42 Animals of Israel, ranging from Barn swallow to Wild boar. For each entry you’ll find below a concise table organized with Scientific name, Size (cm), Where to find so you can compare identification details and typical locations quickly — you’ll find below.

Where in Israel am I most likely to spot these animals?

Coastal wetlands (like Hula and the Ein Afek reserves), national parks (Carmel, Ein Gedi), the Galilee and Jordan Valley, and desert oases in the Negev are prime spots. Early morning or dusk increases sightings, and local nature centers and guided tours help target seasonal migrants and resident species.

Are any of these species protected or unsafe to approach?

Many birds and mammals are protected under Israeli law or international treaties, so observe from a distance and follow park rules. Large mammals such as wild boar can be unpredictable — avoid close contact — and photographing or handling animals may require permits in some reserves.

Animals of Israel

Images and Descriptions

Nubian ibex

A sure‑footed mountain goat of steep desert cliffs, males with dramatic curved horns. Resident year‑round near Eilat and the Negev. Locally protected and popular with wildlife-viewers; populations recover with reserve protection and anti-poaching efforts.

Mountain gazelle

Graceful small gazelle of open woodlands and scrub. Often seen at dawn or dusk across northern and central Israel. Fragmented by development; conservation programs and protected areas maintain many local populations.

Dorcas gazelle

Small desert specialist adapted to arid plains and dunes. Can survive long dry spells and shows seasonal movements. Vulnerable to habitat loss and hunting; watchable in protected desert reserves.

Striped hyena

Nocturnal scavenger with striped flanks and robust build. Mostly active at night, visiting villages and deserts. Rare and shy; protected but still threatened by persecution and road mortality.

Golden jackal

Adaptable omnivore living near farmland, scrub and suburbs. Often active at night but increasingly seen by day. Common and expanding in Israel; sometimes conflicts with humans but largely protected.

Rock hyrax

Small, furry mammal that basks on sunlit rocks; social colonies and loud calls. Resident in rocky habitats across south and center. Locally common and a distinctive part of desert fauna.

Wild boar

Heavily built omnivore of woodlands and wetlands. Active at night; roots soil and feeds on crops. Populations fluctuate; protected in many areas but can be locally problematic.

Caracal

Medium-sized wild cat with tufted ears and powerful hind legs. Elusive and mostly nocturnal, lives in desert and mountainous scrub. Rare and protected; sightings prized by naturalists.

Red fox

Versatile omnivore frequenting farmland, desert margins and urban edges. Active dawn and dusk; breeds year-round in mild climates. Common and adaptable though vulnerable to vehicle collisions.

Egyptian fruit bat

Nocturnal frugivore and pollinator commonly roosting in caves and ruins. Active year‑round in warmer areas, important for seed dispersal. Locally common and legally protected in many sites.

White stork

Large migratory wader that nests on poles and rooftops. Passes through Israel on spring and autumn migrations; some summer breeders. Widely observed at wetlands; conservation programs preserve key stopovers.

Common crane

Tall migratory bird staging in Hula wetlands each spring and autumn. Spectacular flocks draw birdwatchers; dependent on wetland protection. Population benefits from managed reserves and feeding sites.

Barn swallow

Slim, fork‑tailed aerial insectivore common spring–autumn migrant and summer breeder. Seen swooping over fields and water. Very familiar species; populations respond to insect availability and weather.

Great white pelican

Huge, social fish‑eating bird that stages in Hula and coastal wetlands during migration and breeding. Spectacular flocks and feeding displays. Conservation dependent on wetland management and fish stocks.

Spoonbill

Long-legged wader with spatulate bill used to sweep for small aquatic prey. Seasonal visitor and breeder in suitable marshes. Sensitive to wetland drainage; protected in key sites.

Griffon vulture

Large soaring scavenger on cliffs and plateaus. Breeds in rocky cliffs; uses thermals to travel widely. Vulnerable to poisoning and food shortages; local conservation focuses on safe feeding sites.

Egyptian vulture

Small white vulture seen on migration and in isolated breeding sites. Feeds on carrion and eggs; globally endangered, locally rare and protected with targeted conservation actions.

Peregrine falcon

Powerful aerial predator known for high‑speed stoops. Nests on cliffs and tall urban structures; migrants pass through in large numbers. Conservation improved after pesticide bans.

Common kestrel

Open-country falcon that hovers while hunting small mammals and insects. Resident breeder and winter visitor; common and adaptable in varied habitats.

Hoopoe

Distinctive crested bird feeding on insects; migratory populations arrive in spring and depart in autumn. Cultural icon and widely seen in gardens and parks.

Palestine sunbird

Tiny, iridescent nectar‑feeder often visiting flowers and gardens. Resident in arid and semi‑arid areas; an attractive, readily seen species and important pollinator.

Tristram’s starling

Glossy dark starling endemic to the southern deserts, recognizable by orange wing patches. Resident around Eilat and desert cliffs; popular and conspicuous near hotels and oases.

White-spectacled bulbul

Common, vocal songbird in gardens and scrub with white eye-ring. Resident year‑round, often tame in urban parks. Increasing with garden habitat and irrigation.

Chukar partridge

Stocky ground bird of rocky hills and terraces. Often flushed from cliffs and agricultural terraces. Hunted historically but present in protected areas and upland reserves.

Rock dove

Original wild cliff pigeon now ubiquitous as feral pigeons in cities. Nests on buildings and cliffs; common and easily observed in urban centers and harbors.

Little egret

Slim white heron with black bill and yellow feet, often seen stalking fish in shallow water. Breeds and winters in Israel; benefited from wetland conservation.

Spur-winged plover

Bold wader with distinctive spur on wing metacarpus; frequents marshes and irrigated fields. Resident and migratory populations; benefits from wetland protection but sensitive to drainage.

European bee-eater

Colorful aerial insectivore that nests in sandbank tunnels. Arrives in spring to breed, spectacular colony displays; attracted to open landscapes with insect prey.

Palestine viper

Venomous, stout viper of rocky and scrub habitats. Usually nocturnal or crepuscular in hot months; locally common but shy. Medical awareness and habitat protection important.

Spur-thighed tortoise

Terrestrial tortoise grazing on herbs and grasses. Slow‑moving and long‑lived, active in wetter seasons. Threatened by collection and habitat loss; protected in reserves.

Loggerhead sea turtle

Large marine turtle that nests on some Mediterranean beaches; migratory foraging in coastal waters. Conservation focuses on nesting protection and reducing bycatch.

Green sea turtle

Large, herbivorous sea turtle occurring in Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean. Protected and monitored; threatened globally by fisheries and habitat disturbance.

Desert monitor

Large lizard of arid landscapes, active by day hunting reptiles and rodents. Shelters in burrows and rock crevices. Local populations vulnerable to habitat change and road mortality.

Mediterranean house gecko

Small nocturnal gecko often seen on lit walls hunting insects. Introduced/commensal with humans but well established across coastal and urban areas.

Levant water frog

Common green frog of wetlands and irrigation ditches. Vocal in spring and summer breeding seasons. Populations linked to water availability and protected wetland habitats.

Syrian spadefoot

Burrowing amphibian emerging after rains to breed in ephemeral pools. Secretive most of the year; dependent on seasonal wetlands and rainfall patterns.

Green toad

Robust toad breeding in temporary freshwater pools after winter rains. Tolerant of disturbed habitats but reliant on breeding sites; monitored locally.

Common bottlenose dolphin

Familiar coastal dolphin seen in small groups hunting fish. Resident and transient populations in both seas; attracts wildlife-watching boats. Protected but impacted by fisheries and pollution.

Dusky grouper

Large reef fish often occupying caves and rocky ledges. Slow‑growing and long‑lived; vulnerable to overfishing. Protected areas help local recovery of populations.

Painted lady butterfly

Widespread migratory butterfly that appears in large numbers during seasonal movements. Visits gardens and fields; not threatened and a familiar sign of migration pulses.

Deathstalker scorpion

Highly venomous desert scorpion active at night in arid habitats. Common in sandy and rocky deserts; caution advised. Important part of desert ecosystems and medically significant.

Western honey bee

Key pollinator of crops and wild plants, managed in hives but also feral. Active in warm months; conservation focuses on disease control and habitat for forage.

Other Animals by Country