Lebanon is a small country located in the geographical region known as the Levant. This area has long been a crossroads of different empires, including Egypt, Persia, Rome, the Umayyads, and the Ottomans. Situated against the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon shares a land border with Syria to the north/east and Israel to the south.
The country has four main geographical regions: the coastal plains in the west, the snow-capped Lebanon Mountains in the center, the Anti-Lebanon Mountains in the east, and the Bekaa Valley between these two ranges. The country is also home to Tyre, the oldest continually inhabited city in the entire world.
The Official National (State) Animal of Lebanon
The striped hyena is the national animal of Lebanon. Threatened by habitat loss, it is mostly found in the country’s mountainous woodlands.
Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Lebanon
Lebanon is home to more than 15 unique nature reserves devoted to the preservation of natural wildlife and beauty. Apart from zoos, they are still where you can find the best undisturbed wildlife in the country.
- The Aammiq Wetland, located in the Bekaa Valley, is the largest wetland area in the country. Lying along an important migratory route, it is a birdwatcher’s paradise; more than 250 species can sometimes be found here. Visitors can also see badgers, gazelles, striped hyenas, otters, and possibly even the elusive wolf.
- The Cedars of God, located in the Kadisha Valley of the Bsharri District, contains the remains of a unique and ancient cedar forest. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is subject to very strict protection, but visitors are sometimes allowed here under the watchful eye of a tour guide. It is the most well-known but by no means the only cedar forest in Lebanon.
- The Al Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve, located along the Barouk Mountains near the center of the country, encompasses more than 200 square miles of cedar forests and highlands. It is home to boars, caracals, wolves, deer, jackals, and even the reintroduced Nubian ibex. The Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve in the north is another important cedar forest, set amid the nearby valleys and gorges of the mountains.
- The Tyre Coast Nature Reserve, located just to the southeast of Tyre, covers 940 acres of public beaches, springs, and parts of the old city. It is considered to be an important nesting site for migratory birds and sea turtles. Other common wildlife includes badgers, lizards, bats, and the Arabian spiny mouse.
The Most Dangerous Animals in Lebanon Today
Lebanon is home to only a few species of venomous snakes and other dangerous wildlife. These include:
- Blunt-nosed Viper – Found in meadows, pastures, and rocks across the country, this is a large, brown/copper-colored snake with a blunt nose. If frightened or disturbed, it can deliver a very painful and (in rare cases) potentially fatal venom. Medical attention should always be sought immediately after a bite.
- Palestinian Viper – This species is somewhat smaller than the blunt-nosed viper and has a dark diamond pattern running along its back. It’s also responsible for more snake bites in the region than almost any other species. If left untreated, the venom can sometimes be fatal.
- Lebanon Viper – As an endangered species, the Lebanon viper is not very well understood and somewhat difficult to find amid the country’s rugged mountains, but its venom can be potentially quite dangerous.
Endangered Animals in Lebanon
The lengthy Lebanese Civil War between 1975 and 1990 had a damaging effect on the local wildlife. Since its end, there has been a greater effort to preserve the remaining national wildlife through parks, reserves, and programs. Nevertheless, a few species still face serious threats in the wild.
- Mountain Gazelle – Found in dry, semi-desert mountains throughout the Levant and Turkey, the mountain gazelle is endangered from habitat degradation, hunting, and accidental collisions. It is estimated that only a few thousand of them still remain in the wild.
- Mediterranean Monk Seal – Once a common sight throughout the entire Mediterranean Sea, less than 700 of these seals now remain in the wild. Sightings off the Lebanon cost are quite rare.
- Lebanon Viper – The reclusive Lebanon viper is an endangered species. Its range is restricted to high mountain areas where few people reside. As mentioned previously, not much is known about it.
- Schreiber’s Fringe-fingered Lizard – Sometimes found camouflaged along the sandy shores of Lebanon, this species is in danger of becoming extinct from habitat loss and urban development.
- Sea Turtles – A few species of sea turtles roam through the waters off the coast and then come ashore in the breeding season to establish a nest. Accidents, collisions, and the loss of nesting sites are responsible for a dramatic fall in numbers.
The National Flower of Lebanon
One species proposed to be the national flower of Lebanon is the Lebanon cyclamen, also known by its scientific name Cyclamen libanoticum. The Lebanon cyclamen is a tuberous perennial that produces heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and silver each fall or winter. These leaves have wavy margins and sometimes are variegated with pale green or gray-green patches. By the time these leaves are fully developed, in the late winter or early spring, it is nearly flowering time. Each year, the Lebanon cyclamen blossoms with flowers in the months from February to April. These flowers are typically bright pink and have a spicy or slightly peppery fragrance.
Lebanon cyclamen grow in woodland environments, which experience ample rainfall during the winter rainy season and benefit from humid Mediterranean air. These plants thrive in moist, shady areas under the cover of trees.
The Flag of Lebanon
The flag of Lebanon has upper and lower red bands with a wider white band across the middle. In the center of the flag there is an image of a cedar of Lebanon which symbolizes peace, steadiness, and holiness. This current flag design was adopted in 1943 at the time of Lebanon’s independence from France.