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Simon says: "Let's meet the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)

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The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) Often mistaken for a small wolf or stray dog, the Golden Jackal is a highly intelligent predator that has mastered the art of survival across the Middle East, Europe & South Asia. 馃實 Habitat: In Israel, you’ll find them thriving in Mediterranean woodlands, coastal plains, agricultural fields & even on the fringes of urban areas. 馃嵔️ Diet (Prey): They are opportunistic omnivores, hunting small mammals but they also eat fruit, insects, carrion & scraps from human settlements. They play a vital ecological role as nature’s clean-up crew. ⚔️ Predators: Their main natural threats are larger carnivores. In Israel, they are occasionally hunted by large eagles which can snatch their pups. Sadly, many are killed on Israeli roads each year. 馃挒 Mating & Family: They are strictly monogamous & form strong, lifelong pair bonds. Mating occurs in late winter (January–February). After a gestation of about 63 days, the female gives birth to a litt...
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Simon says: "Let's find out about the Lupine (Lupinus pilosus)"

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The Lupine (Lupinus pilosus) One of Israel’s spring wildflowers, these tall, spiky blooms turn the country’s open fields & woodlands into a sea of violet & blue from late February through April. Native to the Mediterranean basin, the scientific name Lupinus comes from the Latin word lupus (wolf), because ancient botanists believed the plants "devoured" the soil's nutrients. They actually do the opposite - it’s a natural soil improver, fixing nitrogen into the earth, helping other plants to thrive. Lupus may also refer to its toxins - see below. These were photographed in the Elah Valley - where David slew Goliath. Wild lupines contain high levels of alkaloids (specifically quinolizidine alkaloids). If you eat the raw seeds, leaves, or flowers, it can cause severe poisoning. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, confusion, rapid heartbeat & in severe cases, respiratory paralysis. AND it can be fatal. Soaking removes the toxins, & in Middle Eastern & Medit...
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Simon says: "Let's visit Lagaat Bahayot (which translates beautifully as "To Touch the Animals")"

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Lagaat Bahayot   In the heart of the  Givat Haim  region, this wonderful petting zoo & agricultural farm offers a truly special, up-close, hands-on experience with nature. It's not a typical zoo where you peer through fences; here, the animals roam freely, & you're invited to interact with & feed them. What makes it a must-visit? The farm is home to many friendly creatures such as goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs & even the occasional llama or pony. They are really well-cared for & absolutely love the attention from visitors. Set in the agricultural fields of the Hefer Valley, the farm offers a rustic atmosphere that's perfect for a relaxing family afternoon. Especially in the spring when the wild flowers bloom around the enclosures. Perfect for All Ages:  Whether you're travelling with young children who want to bottle-feed the baby goats, or you are adults looking for a mindful break from city life, this place delivers! Authentic Farm Experien...
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Simon says: "Let's meet the Terebinth tree (Pistacia atlantica)

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The Terebinth tree (Pistacia atlantica) This one was photographed in the Valley of Elah - which is most famous as the biblical site where David defeated Goliath. Known for its resilience, this cousin of the pistachio & the mastic tree thrives in the harshest of climates, offering shade where little else grows. Here are 3 reasons to appreciate this natural wonder: *Superpower: It can survive with almost no water, making it a crucial "guardian" against desertification. *Medicinal Secret: Its resin, known as "terebinth," has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to soothe ailments. *Wildlife Haven: Its small, red fruits are a vital food source for birds & animals in harsh environments. Humans can also safely eat terebinth fruit; they have a rich, nutty flavour & are very nutritious, containing high amounts of dietary fiber, healthy fats, & antioxidants, The ripe berries are roasted & ground to make a popular caffeine-free, nutty beverage c...
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Simon says: "Meet the Sinai agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus"

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The Sinai agama (Pseudotrapelus sinaitus" Israel has 93 species of reptiles, living from the Negev Desert to the Red Sea, from the Jordan River to the Judaean Mountains. The Sinai agama is one of the most dazzling reptiles you'll find in Israel! 馃挋 Why So Blue? During the breeding season (spring to early summer), the male undergoes a spectacular transformation from a dull sandy brown to a vibrant turquoise or cobalt blue to attract females . Outside breeding season, he fades back to camouflage mode to blend with the rocks. 馃 What She Looks Like Females and juveniles stay greyish-brown all year round, but females have a crescent-shaped red patch on each side just behind the front legs. 馃搹 Size & Shape Grows to about 18 cm (7 inches) , with the long, slender tail accounting for up to two-thirds of that length. Their long legs give them an upright stance and make them excellent climbers. 馃彍️ Where to Find Them Found across Israel's rocky deserts, mountain slopes ...
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Simon says: "Meet the Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)"

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The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Last year, in 2025, for the first time ever, flamingos decided to skip their usual migration north & spend the entire summer at Hula Lake in the Upper Galilee! Over the past decade, they have gone from being rare visitors, to regular migratory birds in Israel, usually spotted during spring & autumn migrations. But this year, dozens have chosen to stay through the hottest months. Some experts are asking: are we witnessing a new era? Winter for cranes, summer for flamingos? Flamingos typically prefer salty, algae-rich lakes & come from places like Turkey & Iran. Hula Lake is freshwater - yet over 100 flamingos are currently calling it home. Why Pink? Their iconic colour comes from their diet! Algae, tiny crustaceans & plankton contain carotenoids, the same pigments that make carrots orange. Without this special menu, they'd actually be grey. Where to Spot Them: Hula Lake (Agmon HaHula) Eilat's salt ponds - roughly...
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Simon says: "Meet the Desert Yam/ Tailly Weed (Ochradenus baccatus known in Hebrew as the Richpetan Midbari

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The Desert Yam/ Tailly Weed (Ochradenus baccatus known in Hebrew as the Richpetan Midbari (专ִ讻ְ驻ְּ转ָ谉 诪ִ讚ְ讘ָּ专ִ讬) This incredible shrub is a true survivor of the Israeli desert. 馃彍️ Desert Adaptations: A common sight in the deserts of Israel, this shrub drops its leaves quickly to save water in the arid habitat. 馃挘 The "Mustard Oil Bomb": Its sweet, white berries hide a secret weapon. When a mouse or bird bites into a seed, a chemical reaction creates a pungent mustard-like toxin! 馃く It's a defense mechanism called the "mustard oil bomb" 馃惌 Turning Enemies into Allies: The desert spiny mouse gets a mouthful of this spicy chemical & spits the seeds out - intact! This turns the seed-eater into an accidental seed-disperser, helping the plant spread far & wide. In fact, seeds that are spat out have double the germination rate! 馃尭 A Year-Round Bloomer: Unlike many plants, this shrub can flower continuously, using winter rains for its main reproduction ...
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