The wildlife of Algeria is composed of its flora and fauna. Mountains, chotts, wetlands, and grassy desert-like regions all support a wide range of wildlife. The most commonly seen animals include the wild boars, jackals, and gazelles, although it is not uncommon to spot fennecs and jerboas. A variety of bird species make the country an attraction for bird watchers.
The People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria is a North African nation that sports a Mediterranean coastline. Approximately 104 mammals make their homes in the North African country, but visitors are most likely to spot gazelles, jackals, and wild boars. But if you have your heart set on spotting a few leopards and cheetahs, temper your expectations.
The varied vegetation of Algeria includes coastal, mountainous and grassy desert-like regions that all support a diverse selection of wildlife, with many of these creatures living in close proximity to civilization. The most commonly seen wildlife in Algeria are wild boars, jackals and gazelles - although it is not uncommon to spot fennecs (foxes) and jerboas. Algeria also has a few small panther, leopard and cheetah populations but these are seldom seen. The abundance of bird species make the country a haven for bird watchers. For those who prefer other critters, snakes, monitor lizards and a variety of other reptiles can be found living along with an array of rodents throughout the semi-arid regions of Algeria.
As is the case with all countries, hundreds of animals from earlier epochs have gone extinct in Algeria. Over the past few centuries, scientists have added several species to the locally extinct animals in Algeria list.
This list of the mammal species recorded in Algeria provides information about the status of the 120 mammal species occurring in Algeria. There are 104 mammal species in Algeria, of which three are critically endangered, two are endangered, ten are vulnerable, and three are near-threatened.
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Flora of Algeria
In the north, the native flora includes the Algerian oak, Atlas cedar, and other conifers. The grape vine is indigenous to the coast. In the Sahara region, some oases have date palms. In Algeria forest cover is around 1% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,949,000 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, up from 1,667,000 ha in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 1,439,000 ha and planted forest covered 510,000 ha. Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to be primary forest (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 6% of the forest area was found within protected areas.
Key Mammal Species in Algeria
Algeria is home to some of the most incredible wildlife on the planet. The amount of diversity is truly incredible.
Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be kept short by gnawing.
The lagomorphs comprise two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Though they can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early 20th century, they have since been considered a separate order.
The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures.
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The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals.
The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals capable of flight.
The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which eat meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls.
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Below is a list of some of the key mammal species found in Algeria:
- North African elephant shrew, P.
- Cape hyrax, P.
- Barbary macaque, M.
- Common bent-wing bat, M.
- Egyptian mouse-tailed bat, R.
- Trident leaf-nosed bat, A.
- Blasius's horseshoe bat, R.
- North Atlantic right whale, E.
- Humpback whale, M.
- Rough-toothed dolphin, S.
- Short-beaked common dolphin, D.
- Cheetah, A.
- Northwest African cheetah, A. j.
- Caracal, C.
- African wildcat, F.
- Sand cat, F.
- Serval, L.
- Common genet, G.
- Egyptian mongoose, H.
- Spotted hyena, C.
- Striped hyena, H.
- African golden wolf, C.
- African wild dog, L.
- Rüppell's fox, V.
- Red fox, V.
- Fennec fox, V.
- Saharan striped polecat, I.
- European otter, L.
- Honey badger, M.
- Least weasel, M.
- Mediterranean monk seal, M.
- Wild boar, S.
- Red deer, C.
- Barbary stag, C. e.
- Fallow deer, D.
- Cuvier's gazelle, G.
- Dorcas gazelle, G.
- Rhim gazelle, G.
- Dama gazelle, N.
- Barbary sheep, A.
Spotlight on Key Species
Fennec Fox
What is the national animal of Algeria? It’s the Fennec fox, also known as the “desert fox.” The adorable animals, with their giant ears and petite bodies, are a beloved national symbol. They’re even smaller than most house cats, but don’t let their size fool you.
Their massive ears help Fennec Foxes locate food, even when it’s underground. They catch most of their prey by digging it out of the earth. These omnivores live in a harsh environment and feed on anything they can get, including rodents, birds, eggs, lizards, insects, fruits, leaves, and roots. Plant materials are vital as they comprise 100% of the Fennec Fox’s hydration. Fennec Foxes are highly social animals that often live together in clans.
Caracal
Caracals are nocturnal and generally very secretive. These medium-sized cats live in a range of habitats, including plains, rocky hills, scrub forests, woodlands, and thickets. Caracals are highly athletic, capable carnivores that can take down prey three times their size. They’re also known for their incredible bird-snaring leaps into the air.
They’re also perfectly capable of avoiding predation. When they sense a threat, they often lie flat and use their coloring to blend in with the ground and go unnoticed. They’re also agile climbers that can escape lions and other large predators by climbing into trees. Unfortunately, the one predator they can’t go up against is humans.
Cheetah
Unlike most other big cats, Cheetahs do not stalk their prey. Instead, they use their incredible speed (80-130 kph, or 50-80 mph) to charge. Cheetahs are solitary except during mating. The cubs are cared for solely by their mother.
When a Cheetah overtakes its prey, it strangles its target by squeezing its neck in its jaw. They feed mostly on gazelles but also consume impalas, hares, and birds. Cheetahs are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Researchers have found they have little genetic diversity, which leaves them susceptible to disease and environmental changes.
Striped Hyenas
Striped Hyenas live in rocky mountainous regions in Algeria and dense grasslands. Despite their fierce reputation, Striped Hyenas are primarily scavengers that spend their nights feeding on carrion and human refuse. They’ll even eat bones from previously stripped carcasses. Occasionally, they prey on small game, including birds, reptiles, hares, and rodents.
Striped Hyenas are listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. They’re often hunted as pests or out of fear, and some cultures still use them for food and medicine. Attacks on humans are rare, but historical reports of attacks on children continue to spread fear.
Honey Badger
Their diet is as varied as their habitat. Honey Badgers are opportunistic foragers whose menu changes with the season and prey availability. They frequently prey on snakes, birds, eggs, frogs, and small rodents.
Honey Badgers are known for their aggressive nature. Males will ferociously defend their territory and mate from other males.
African Wolf
African Wolves have an extensive range, and their appearance and size vary with location. African Wolves have flexible social structures that are largely dictated by prey availability. Each pack consists of a monogamous breeding pair that remains together constantly.
These wolves can be formidable predators in Algeria, sometimes taking prey up to three times their weight. However, they usually go after much smaller animals. Pairs of wolves often hunt gazelle fawns and other small mammals like cane rats and ground squirrels. They also consume fruit, snakes, and insects.
Rüppell’s Foxes
Rüppell’s Foxes are one of the most resourceful animals in Algeria. Because Red Foxes often get the best territory, these smaller foxes have become highly adapted to inhospitably dry deserts. Their fur closely matches the substrate where they’re located, camouflaging them from predators such as Steppe Eagles and Eagle Owls.
Living in such harsh conditions, Rüppell’s Foxes have gained a reputation as incredibly tough survivalists.
Dorcas Gazelles
Dorcas Gazelles are small but well adapted to the desert and live in arid places. If they spot a predator, these herbivores twitch their tails and make bounding leaps to warn others and confuse their attacker.
Dorcas Gazelles are often able to escape if a predator gives chase. Their long, slender legs allow them to sprint away at speeds of 80-100 kph (50-62 mph). Unfortunately, these fascinating creatures are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.
African Wildcats
African Wildcats are skillful hunters with incredible hearing. Once they’ve located prey, they slowly and sneakily approach it and pounce once they’re in range. African Wildcats are most active at night. During the day, they tend to avoid the heat and rest under bushes or other shelter, although sometimes they can be observed out hunting on cloudy, overcast days.
Additionally, when threatened, these cats raise their hair to make themselves seem larger and intimidate their opponents, similar to what we see in domestic cats. For example, when they sit upright, their long front legs raise their bodies almost vertically (more so than domestic cats). This posture can be seen on Egyptian bronze mummy cases and tomb paintings.
Rock Hyrax
These small animals may look like rodents in Algeria, but their closest living relatives are actually elephants and manatees! Rock Hyrax have several adaptions that allow them to move about skillfully on steep, rocky surfaces. First, Rock Hyrax feet soles are rubber-like and kept moist by a glandular secretion.
Rock Hyraxes usually live in colonies called “kopjes,” ranging from 5 to 60 individuals. Interestingly, Rock Hyrax colonies usually urinate and defecate in a common restroom. This habit causes a build-up of calcium carbonate from the urine, turning the cliffs where they live white.
North African Hedgehogs
North African Hedgehogs love the arid climates in Algeria. They spend their nights roaming these lands on surprisingly fast legs, which are relatively long compared to other hedgehogs. North African Hedgehogs use their spines to protect themselves and roll into a ball when threatened.
These spiky animals also engage in an odd ritual called anointing, which scientists don’t fully understand.
Wild Boars
Wild Boars are the ancestors of most domesticated pig species, including typical farm pigs. They can dig in hard-packed earth and move rocks up to 40-50 kg (88-110 lb). This talent is handy because Wild Boars are extreme omnivores, meaning they’ll eat pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths!
Warthogs
Common warthog live in various habitats in Algeria, including wooded savannas, grass steppes, and semideserts. For example, they use wet areas called “wallows” to cool off in the mud when the temperature is hot. In cool temperatures, they go inside burrows to stay warm.
Warthogs have some interesting feeding adaptations. They often kneel on their calloused, padded front knees when feeding on grass.
Endangered Species and Conservation
Algeria is also home a number of endangered species that are currently protected under Algerian law. The country’s most endangered animal is the serval; a beautiful, wild feline that is larger than a domestic cat but smaller than a leopard. Its head may be considered to be somewhat disproportionate to its body as it is small and round with long, elegant ears. The serval also has the longest legs in the cat family and its coat is characterized by leopard-like spots. A few of these elegant creatures are thought to still exist in the northern parts of Algeria.
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