This cute guy is called Golden spiny mouse, he got its name from the reddish-orange spiny fur that covers its body.
I met him while walking in the desert in Dead Sea area: Suddenly something moved to the right of the path and I froze.
Not noticing me he climbed on a stone on a stone to reach out to the leaves. Launch time!
Luckily I had a camera with 300mm with me. I lay down on the ground and crawled a little, getting closer.
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Looking at home at photos, I saw that he had no right ear. Was it fight for dominance or attack of the predator? Life in desert is harsh and living at the bottom of food chain doesn't help either.
After taking a few photographs, I also carefully left. This encounter definitely made my day!