Egypt is home to 93 species of mammals of which six are endemic. In addition, 13 species of the Cetacea (whales and dolphins) and one Sirenian (Dugong) have been recorded from Egyptian waters of the Red Sea.

            Among small mammals, the Rodentia form the largest group with 32 species and range in size from the tiny Pygmy Gerbil to the Crested Porcupine, which can grow to one meter. There are 20 species of the Carnivora, among which are four species of foxes, including the tiny Fennec. The Mustelidae include the only urban populations in the world of the widespread Weasel.   

About 20 species of Egyptian mammals are endangered. Of these the Cheetah is now found only in the Qattara Depression, the Barbary Sheep is restricted to Gebel Uweinat and Gebel Elba and the population of Slender-horned Gazelles is seriously reduced. A number of small mammals that are found along the Mediterranean coast are under threat from development.

2 of 16 Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat, Rhinopoma hardwickii

A small bat with a long slender tail that lives in caves, ruins or tunnels in colonies of up to 200 individuals. Its food is probably insects, which it hunts at dusk. In the autumn these bats develop fat deposits round the lower abdomen and back to keep them going through the winter months when insect prey is scarce.