Wildlife at Our Doorstep: Nature Just Three Minutes from Town

BD Greenman
5 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Wildlife Just Beyond Our Town 🦊🦌

Over the past three days, our trail camera has captured something truly special: clear, recent images of local wildlife living just a three‑minute walk from the edge of town. Foxes, mountain gazelle, Porcupines, taanim (golden jackals), and even a hyena have all made appearances, reminding us how alive and vibrant the natural world around us really is.

This post is an encouragement—to get outside, to reconnect with nature, and to feel safe appreciating the wildlife that quietly shares our space.

Some fun facts about the animals in our backyard!

🦊 Foxes (Red Fox – Vulpes vulpes)

The red fox is one of the most adaptable mammals in Israel and across the world. Intelligent and curious, foxes thrive in a wide range of environments, from open fields and forests to areas close to human settlements. They are mostly nocturnal and play an important role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent populations.

Did you know? Foxes communicate using a wide range of vocalizations and can recognize landmarks around their territory with impressive accuracy.

Reference: Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA); Encyclopedia Britannica

🦌 Mountain Gazelle (Gazella gazella)

Seeing deer so close to town is especially exciting. The Persian fallow deer, native to the region, was once nearly extinct and has been the focus of major conservation efforts in Israel. These gentle animals are usually active during early morning and evening hours and are a powerful symbol of successful wildlife rehabilitation.

Why it matters: Their presence indicates a healthy, balanced environment.

Reference: Israel Nature and Parks Authority; IUCN Red List

🐺 Taanim – Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)

Often mistaken for foxes or small wolves, golden jackals are highly social and intelligent animals. In Hebrew, they are commonly called taanim. They live in family groups and are excellent scavengers, helping keep ecosystems clean by consuming carrion and waste.

Jackals are shy by nature and generally avoid human contact, despite living close to populated areas.

Reference: INPA; National Geographic

🐾 Hyena (Striped Hyena – Hyaena hyaena)

Perhaps the most surprising visitor captured on our camera was the striped hyena. Though often misunderstood, hyenas are not aggressive toward humans and are primarily nocturnal scavengers. They play a crucial ecological role by cleaning up animal remains, preventing the spread of disease.

Spotting a hyena is rare and special—it’s a sign of a functioning natural food chain.

Reference: INPA; Smithsonian National Zoo

🦔 Porcupines (Indian Crested Porcupine – Hystrix indica)

Porcupines are another fascinating—and often misunderstood—resident of our local environment. The Indian crested porcupine is common in Israel and is usually active at night. They feed on roots, bulbs, fruits, and bark, and you may notice signs of their presence long before you see one.

One important myth to clear up: porcupines do not throw their quills. Their quills are firmly attached and serve purely as a defense mechanism. When threatened, a porcupine will raise its quills, make itself look larger, and may back toward a predator. Any quills that become embedded do so through contact, not projection.

Porcupines are shy, non-aggressive animals and pose no danger when left undisturbed.

Reference: Israel Nature and Parks Authority; National Geographic

A Gentle Invitation 🌿

All of these animals were photographed within a short, three‑minute walk from town. Their presence is a reminder that nature is not far away, and that it’s possible to safely enjoy the outdoors while respecting wildlife.

Take a walk. Bring your children. Move quietly. Observe from a distance. The wild is closer than you think—and it’s worth protecting.