Prominent among the larger animals in En Gedi are the Nubian ibex (wild goats) and the rock hyrax (conies), both of which are mentioned in the Bible: "The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats and the rocks for the conies" (Psalms 104:18).
Ibex (Capra ibex nubiana) These animals live in herds and are famed for their ability to climb steep hills that provide them with refuge from predators. The male, larger than the female, is bearded and bears horns that angle back. These horns continue to grow throughout the ibex's life and reach tremendous size in adult males. During the rutting season (September - November), it is possible to observe males carrying out the courting ritual, trailing after the females with awkward dancing steps while extending their heads, their lips curled back and their tongues hanging out. Calving occurs in the spring, between March and April. For many years, Judean Desert ibex were hunted and their population dwindled, until they were on the brink of extinction. One of the most impressive achievements of the Nature Protection movement in Israel was the rescue of the ibex population in Israel, with the enacting of the Wild Animal Protection Law in 1955. As a symbol of recognition for these efforts, the bust of the ibex has become an integral part of the emblem of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) The rock hyrax, or conies, live in rock crannies or in thickets. They live in groups and like the ibex, are remarkable climbers. The hyrax feed on plants, some of which are poisonous. Despite the fact that they are mammals, their body temperature is not constant, changing according to the ambient temperature. Therefore, on cold mornings, it is possible to see them sunbathing on top of rocks before resuming activity. The females give birth in the spring, after a seven and a half month-long pregnancy.
Nocturnal mammals
Most of the desert mammals, such as the leopard, a rarely seen predator of the cat family that is fast becoming extinct, are nocturnal. The leopard is a solitary animal and despite the fact that glimpses of it are rare, signs of its presence - such as footprints, diggings and feces - can sometimes be seen in the reserve.
Other predators, such as the striped hyena, the wolf and two types of foxes: the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Afghan fox (Vulpes cana) are also part of the reserve.
In addition, the reserve contains rodents such as the Cairo spiny mouse, the golden spiny mouse (which is diurnal) and the porcupine. The Dead Sea region contains a vast array of bats - small nocturnal flying mammals. There are 15 species of bats in En Gedi. From among the insect bats present in En Gedi, we will mention the Bodenheimer's pipistrelle - a species endemic to the region of the Red Sea that makes up part of the Syrian-African Rift Valley, whose northernmost border reaches En Gedi.
Weighing 2.5-3 grams, this is the smallest bat in Israel.
Another kind of insect bat is the Egyptian slit-faced bat, which has particularly large ears. Weighing 20 grams, it feeds mostly on insects that live in trees and bushes close to the ground.
The larger rat-tailed bat and the lesser rat-tailed bat, both of which have long tails and weigh 15-20 grams can also be found on the reserve. They feed upon insects that can be found several meters above ground. In addition, the reserve also contains Egyptian fruit bats that feed upon the fruits of various trees such as the Christ-thorn jujube and the Jericho balsam.