Animals in West Bank

Several endemic species of animal life inhabit the West Bank and its surrounding areas. The geographic and climatic features of the West Bank support several species of amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Among them are several species which are considered rare or threatened.

The blind mole rat and the Negev shrew are endemic mammalian species in the West Bank. There are unique mammals in West Bank that have been documented recently. Recent discoveries include the Palestine golden jackal and the Palestine house mouse.

A few amphibian species have been documented in the shrub and wetlands, including the rare Be'er Sheva Fringe-Fingered lizard. Native species of frogs and toads also thrive in the wetlands of West Bank, including the southern banded newt, an endangered salamander species, and the recently discovered Hyla heinzsteinitzi, a unique tree frog.

The Jordan river and its tributaries is home to several fish varieties, including the Kinneret and the Yarqon bleak. Another bleak variety, the Hula bleak, has been declared extinct. Several possible extinct species of freshwater fish has been recorded in its waters, including the Tristram tilapia.

There are more than 90 species of aquatic and terrestrial reptiles documented in the West Bank. This includes an extinct species of crocodile that used to inhabit the Jordan River. Several species of turtles, lizards, and snakes thrive in the aquatic, arid, and semi-arid habitats of West Bank.

Some of the more than four hundred species of birds in Palestine are migratory and often pass through the Jordan Valley and into the plains of West Bank and the surrounding areas. Several of the bird species that pass this migratory route include the pelican, honey buzzard, coots, and starlings.

Human activities impact on the biodiversity of the area, affecting the existence of these endemic animal species. Similar to other locations in the world, unplanned development has affected the resources which supports these native species of animals.