Arabian Red Fox - United Arab Emirates

An emirate is a political territory controlled by an “emir,” translating as “commander.” The United Arab Emirates is a state with each separate emirate being governed by a hereditary emir. The individual emirs come together to form an electoral college in electing a president and prime minister to head the federation.

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Vulpes vulpes arabica - The Arabian red fox is a sub-species of the common red fox and found throughout the Arabian Peninsula. It has longer ears than the red fox to help dissipate heat and it has fur padding between its toes to help insulate against the hot ground. These two differences are important features for living in desert environments. The body of the Arabian red fox looks leaner than the red fox found in northern latitudes, but it is the same size; the shorter fur gives the Arabian red fox a smaller and thinner appearance.

Hoopoe - United Arab Emirates

Upupa epops - Although there are nine recognized sub-species of the hoopoe, it is the only living species of the family Upupidae.  The hoopoe sub-species differ from each other through slight variance in plumage, coloration, and size. There had been another species, the Saint Helena hoopoe, but it became extinct in the 16th century. The hoopoe is easily recognized by its long curving bill and pinkish-brown crest. When excited or threatened, the hoopoe will puff up its crest to gain additional height.

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Great Britain had maintained a protectorate over nine Persian Gulf sheikhdoms: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Bahrain, Dubai, Fujairah, Qatar, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. In 1971, Britain decided it was a financial burden to maintain a military presence and ended its relationship with the nine entities. An attempt to form a union failed when Bahrain and Qatar decided to declare their own independence. The seven others formed a successful union and became the United Arab Emirates.