African and South African Fox Species
Under Construction
Fennec Fox Vulpes zerda (formerly Fennecus zerda)
Bat-Eared Fox Otocyon megalotis a.k.a Delalande's fox, black-eared fox, big-eared fox, and sometimes incorrectly called a cape fox
Cape Fox Vulpes chama a.k.a. cama fox, silver-backed fox
This beautiful animal is the only true fox found in South Africa. It is also the smallest canid there, weighing around 8-11 pounds. Their brilliant coat is a silvery-gray or black with yellow underneath. They always have a black-tipped tail. The cape fox is nocturnal and prefers to live in grasslands and thickets. They are omnivorous, eating reptiles, rabbits, bugs, birds, carrion, and fruit. The cape fox has an interesting defense strategy. When frightened it will utter a loud bark, followed by a growl. If that doesn't get the predator's attention, the fox will actually spit at it. Unlike most fox species, the cape fox is capable of bearing young year round. They mate for life. The cape fox is often mistaken for a jackal and killed by farmers. |
Rüppel's Fox Vulpes rueppelli a.k.a. Rüppel's sand fox, sand fox
The tiny Rüppel's fox is an elusive species. It ranges from northern Africa east to Afghanistan. Its coat color varies depending on the region in which it resides but it usually is a reddish gray or sandy color with a white-tipped tail. It is thin and elegant, weighing only about 2-5 pounds. Unlike most desert foxes, this species does not seem to dig burrows. It spends most of its days hiding from the heat in caves and crevices, venturing out to forage at dusk and night. It is an omnivore, eating bugs, rodents, lizards, fruit, and scavenging carrion. Like many species of fox, the Rüppel's fox mates for life. It has also been seen traveling in groups. |
Pale Fox Vulpes pallida a.k.a. African Sand Fox, Pallid Fox
This is one of the least known of all species of foxes. It's superbly camouflaged coat and nocturnal habits cause it to be seldom seen. It has large ears which help disperse heat from its body, long whiskers, and black rings around its eyes. It has a pale sandy colored coat with a reddish brown tail tipped in black. The pale fox usually weighs around 4-8 pounds. They inhabit sandy and stony desert regions of Africa south of the Sahara. Parent pale foxes dig extensive dens for their young and line them with dried vegetation. Pale foxes are primarily herbivores, feasting on berries, fruit, and vegetables, though they have also been known to catch insects, rodents, and lizards. They drink little water, instead obtaining moisture from the foods they eat. |
Cape fox photo copyright Alan Weaving
Rüppel's fox photo copyright Eyal Bartov
Pale fox photo copyright Markus Lilje
Rüppel's fox photo copyright Eyal Bartov
Pale fox photo copyright Markus Lilje