Introduction

Abstract

Ecophysiology of Small Desert Mammals, at first glance, seemed like a straightforward title for a book. After all, this topic has been researched, studied and discussed by a large number of scientists worldwide, and consequently, one would think that there is a general consensus as to what is being examined and how it should be done. However, with the exception of the world “of”, each word proved to be problematical and has been interpreted in a variety of ways.

“It comes as rather a surprise to learn that most hot deserts of the world have a rich and diverse fauna of small mammals. These small mammals (adult weight up to 3 kg) are rarely seen by the casual observer as they are mainly nocturnal and widely dispersed. Some unfavourable parts of the Sahara are completely devoid of mammals while other favourable habitats support flourishing populations of several species. The most successful orders of small mammals are the rodents, carnivores and bats and, to a lesser extent, the hares and the hyraxes. All of them are adapted to the harshness and unpredictability of the desert environment.”

(Happold 1984)