Due to its relatively high rainfall, the coastal belt that extends from Alexandria to Salum, is characterized by the richest and most diverse flora in Egypt except for that of Gebel Elba. The dunes of white sand by the sea are followed further inland by limestone ridges separated by wadis in some of which salt marshes are found. Inland of these is a relatively flat strip of hamada (sand and clay interspersed with exposed rocky surfaces). The people of this zone graze their livestock here and practice small-scale agriculture, growing dates, olives and figs among other crops. In addition there is considerable tourism development along this stretch of coast.
The vegetation of this zone includes nine plants that are endemic to Egypt. Of these four are found only along this stretch of coastline. Among them are an endemic variety, Zygophyllum album var. album and a full species of the same genus, Z. aegyptium. Also along this coastal desert is an endemic globe thistle, Echinops taeckholmianus, named for a famous botanist of Egypt, the late Dr. Vivi Täckholm.
The abundance of vegetation
and temperate climate of this zone allow a rich assemblage
of reptiles and mostly small mammals together with a
high number of breeding birds. Many of these birds are
restricted to this zone. During the autumn and spring
migration seasons many millions of birds make landfall
along the coast, which is their first resting place
after crossing the Mediterranean or the great desert
to the south. In one year the number of migrating Short-toed
Larks, Calandrella cinerea, was estimated at
10,000 birds per square mile in a typical area west
of Alexandria. The Cream-colored Courser, Cursorius
cursor, is a characteristic resident of this area
together with Dupont's Lark, Chersophilus duponti,
Thekla Lark, Galerida theklae, and the Red-rumped
Wheatear, Oenanthe moesta. The Raven, Corvus
corax, is not known from elsewhere in Egypt.
Among the reptiles, the Moorish Gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, the Egyptian Leopard Lizard, Acanthodactylus pardalis, Changeable Agama, Trapelus mutabilis, and the Javelin Sand Boa, Eryx jaculus, a nocturnal, gecko-eating constrictor, are typical of this zone.
Among typical mammals
of this zone are several endangered species of rodents
including the Four-toed Jerboa, Allactaga tetradactyla,
Greater Egyptian Jerboa, Jaculus orientalis.
The fascinating Mole Rat, Spalax ehrenbergi,
a blind, tailless, fossorial animal spends most of its
life underground. The Mole Rat's vestigial eyes
are covered with hairy skin and although it is totally
unable to see, it is known to be active above ground
when mating or occasionally to find edible vegetation.
The Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes, and the Long-eared
Hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus, are also known
from this area as well as the Fat Sand Rat, Psammomys
obesus.
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