Rüppell's Fox

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Vulpes

Species: V.pallida

Range and Habitat

Rüppell's fox is found in the Sahara Desert in northern Africa and the deserts of the Arabian peninsula. It occurs in the countries of Morocco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

Physical Appearance

The Rüppell's fox looks similar to the Pale Fox (Vulpes pallida). It has a slender body and large ears. Its color can vary from buff to a pale grey, with a lighter underbody. Its tail has a distinctive white tip. It has black markings on its muzzle, extending from the inner corner of each eye to the corner of the mouth, almost like the markings on a cheetah's face. The fur on their back is distinctly darker. They have fur on the pads of their feet, to protect them from the heat of the sand.

Diet

The Rüppell's fox is omnivorous, and will eat berries, fruits, lizards, small rodents, and even carrion and human refuse.

Reproduction and Social Behavior

They live in pairs or small family groups. The pair shares the same den. Their territory can be up to 19 square miles (50 km sq.). The pair breeds during the wintertime, and after a gestation of 2 months, 2-3 cubs are born. Not much information is known on this fox.

Threats

The Rüppell's fox is not hunted for its fur, but it is occasionally hunted for food.

Subspecies

Vulpes rueppelli rueppelli –

Vulpes rueppelli caesia – Western Sahara

Vulpes rueppelli cyrenaica – Libya

Vulpes rueppelli cufrana – SE. Libya

Vulpes rueppelli sabaea – Arabia

Vulpes rueppelli somaliae – Somalia

Vulpes rueppelli zarudneyi – Persian Baluchistan

Reference

Lioncrusher's Domain -- Rüppell's Fox (Vulpes rueppelli)