Bat-eared Fox - Somalia

The Somali Peninsula, also known as the Horn of Africa, juts out from Northeastern Africa into the Arabian Sea. The region hosts the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. This is the area thought to be the site of the mysterious “Land of Punt,” a rich kingdom serving as a close trading partner to ancient Egypt. 

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Otocyon megalotis - The bat-eared fox feeds exclusively on insects, with harvester termites topping the list. The over-sized ears are sensitive and can detect food sources it cannot see or sniff out. The dental structure of the bat-eared fox differs from those of other canid species. They have smaller teeth, but with less of a shearing design, a reflection of their insect diet. The bat-eared fox can survive without direct access to water. It is able to obtain the necessary water requirements from eating insects.

Dibatag - Somalia

Ammodorcas Clarkei - The dibatag, or Clark’s gazelle, is found in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia and the higher elevations of Northern and Central Somalia. Males have slightly curved horns ranging from 10 to 25 centimeters in length. These horns are used against other males during the mating season in establishing breeding hierarchies. Dibatags feed on leaves and new shoots from shrubs and trees and are able to balance themselves on their hind legs to reach the upper foliage.

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Somalia has been the site of several prominent Arab states: the Ajuran Empire, the Adal Sultanate, the Geledi Sultanate, and the Warsangali Sultanate. By the 19th century these sultanates had fallen under the control of British and Italian rule. The sole exception to foreign domination was the Dervish State. It was able to repeal European attempts of colonization until 1920, when Great Britain assembled a powerful force, including airplanes, to bring about the defeat of the Dervish State.

Equus Species of Afrcia

Equidae, more commonly referred to as the horse family, consists of 22 species; most are extinct. The number of living species currently stands at 7, all belonging to the genus Equus. The genus is divided into the non-caballoid and caballoid groups. Donkeys and zebras belong to the former, horses to the latter. The Equidae family evolved about 54 million years ago during the early Eocene. Africa hosts 4 of the extant species of Equidae; a fifth species, also native to Africa, the quagga zebra, fell into extinction in 1883.