DUBAI: While the national animal of Scotland is none other than the fantastical unicorn, these countries have chosen decidedly more down to earth creatures as their mascots.
Algeria
The adorable fennec fox, with its oversized ears and bushy tail, is the national animal of Algeria and is even used as a nickname for its national football team. With its pointy nose and slanted eyes, the animal is found throughout the Sahara desert and, according to National Geographic, is the smallest of all the world’s foxes.
Egypt
Found on the country’s flag, the national animal of Egypt is the majestic steppe eagle. The bird dwells in semi-arid areas and typically has a brownish underbelly and blackish feathers.
UAE
There is a common misconception that the UAE’s national animal is a falcon, but that honor in fact goes to the elegant Arabian oryx. The animal had been targeted by hunters until it almost became extinct in the wild, but conservationists pulled the species back from the brink. The Arabian oryx seems to be a popular choice as it is also the national animal of Jordan.
Yemen
The Arabian leopard is one of the Middle East’s most iconic species and one of the world’s most endangered animals. It was declared Yemen’s official animal as the country is believed to be one of the few remaining locales in which they still survive.
Lebanon
It is Lebanon’s national animal, yet it is seldom seen. The cartoonish striped hyena resembles a medium-sized dog and is covered in — yes, you guessed it — striped fur. The animal is mainly found in Lebanon’s mountainous regions and, because they are scavengers, they feed on dead animals, old bones and garbage.
Saudi Arabia
With its vast desert regions, it makes sense that Saudi Arabia’s national animal is the camel. Also known as the “ship of the desert,” the animal has served as a transport method for traveling nomads for centuries. With life span of 40-50 years, camels can survive the heat of desert with minimal food and water.
