Mammals of Egypt
Image of a sandcat (Wikipedia)
Egyptian jackal is really a wolf (BBC)
A DNA study has demontrated that the so-called Egyptian jackal, until now thought to be a subspecies of the golden jackal, is actually a relative of the grey wolf. Genetic information shows that the species, Canis aureus lupaster, is more closely related to Himalayan and Indian wolves than golden jackals.
Wild Cats in Egypt – surprising
There are also true wildcats in Egypt. Of the 35 species of wildcats, Egypt is home to as many as six, and a seventh, the Lion Panthera leo, probably became extinct in the late pharaonic period. Some of the six are extremely rare, and may no longer exist in Egypt, but certainly some of those that do still stalk the Egyptian landscape are some of the most interesting, including the small Felis Silvestris, or Wild Cat, which looks very similar to and sometimes interbreeds with domestic cats, and may be the forerunner of the domestic cat. Others small cats include the Felis Chaus (Swamp Cat) and the Felis margarita (Sand Cat). Larger cats include the Acinonyx jubatus (Cheetah), Panthera pardus (Leopard) - Leopard are likely extinct in Egypt, although they may occur in the Eastern Desert and the Felis caracal (Caracal).
See also from the same site
About 20 species of Egyptian mammals are endangered. Of these the Cheetah is now found only in the Qattara Depression, the Barbary Sheep is restricted to Gebel Uweinat and Gebel Elba and the population of Slender-horned Gazelles is seriously reduced. A number of small mammals that are found along the Mediterranean coast are under threat from development.
Books
Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
Covering over 400 species, this work presents all of the terrestrial mammal species of the Western Palearctic, serving as an excellent guide to the great wealth of fauna in this region. Species accounts are concise and authoritative, giving information on size, distribution, habitat, behaviour, reproduction and feeding. Each account is supported by distribution maps and superb illustrations. The book features over 100 plates, comprising of over 600 colour species artworks. Variation between the sexes is illustrated and anatomical diagrams are provided to assist identification.