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Five carnivoran species from various different families live in the Mediterranean region of Israel. They are all endangered, for a variety of reasons: genetic contamination, agricultural development, loss of habitats, increased urbanization, and outbreak due to human intervention, unlicensed garbage dumps and feeding. Golden jackal(Canis aureus) – belongs to the Canidae family. In the 1960’s, most of the jackal population in Israel was poisoned to prevent the spread of rabies. Today, the Golden jackal is very common throughout Israel. Jackals live in packs and in pairs. An adaptive species that accompanies people in towns. It will eat anything and enjoys human food scraps. The jackal’s characteristic howls can be heard at night. Marbled polecat(Vormela peregusna) – belongs to the Mustelidae family. The polecat is the smallest carnivoran in Israel. It is nocturnal and bristles its fur when defending itself. Its long, cylindrical, thin body is perfect for getting into rodents’ burrows. The polecat is rare, located in the Mediterranean region down to the northern Negev Desert following the agricultural development and increase in rodents. The polecat population decreased greatly due to the poisoning of rodents and loss of natural habitats. The polecat is extremely endangered and at risk of becoming extinct. Wildcat(Felis sylvestris lybica) - belongs to the Felidae family. The wildcat can be found throughout most of Israel. It locates its prey with two acute senses: sight and hearing. When prey is near, the wildcat stalks it to within striking distance and then runs or pounces, leaping up to two meters in the air. The largest danger facing the wildcat is crossbreeding with domestic cats. Domestic cats and wildcats belong to the same species and they can reproduce together, creating fertile offspring. Striped hyena(Hyaena hyaena) – belongs to the Hyaena family. It is the largest carnivoran in Israel. The hyena resembles a medium-sized dog with a sloped back with erectile hackles. The Striped hyena, which suffers from bad PR, lives in all parts of Israel. Hyenas are special, gentle, handsome and fascinating animals. Their fur is clean and smells pleasant. The word jackal has become associated with fear due to inaccuracies and superstitions spread about their behavior. Hyenas are very important in the eco-system: they are considered “nature’s orderlies”, (along with vultures, for example) because they feed off the carcasses of animals killed on roads or by other predators such as wolves. Egyptian mongoose(Herpestes ichneumon) - belongs to the Herpestidae family. This medium-sized carnivoran has an elongated, flexible body, a long tail and short legs. The mongoose can be found throughout the Mediterranean region to the northern Negev Desert. It infiltrates towns, living in the underbrush, and prefers humid areas near humans. The mongoose is nocturnal and diurnal. It eats diversely, including rodents, birds, insects and reptiles as well as fruit and human food scraps. The mongoose is uniquely immune to the viper’s venom and is one of its main predators in nature. Ezra Hadad, Israel Nature and Parks Authority To all philatelic items issued on February 2023
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