55-417: The Cape fox ( Vulpes chama ), also called the asse , cama fox or the silver-backed fox , is a small species of fox , native to southern Africa. It is also called a South African version of a fennec fox due to its similarly big ears. It is the only "true fox" occurring in sub-Saharan Africa , and it retains primitive characteristics of Vulpes because it diverged early in the evolutionary history of
110-404: A distinct preference for forbs , and then woody plants (especially Flueggea virosa ) when few forbs are available. They will also take fruits and only very rarely graze on grass . They are almost entirely independent of drinking water, gaining the moisture they need from their food. Steenbok are active during the day and the night; however, during hotter periods, they rest under shade during
165-465: A fox. Steenbok The steenbok / ˈ s t eɪ n b ɒ k , ˈ s t iː n -/ ( Raphicerus campestris ) is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa . It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok . Steenbok resemble small oribi , standing 45–60 cm (16"–24") at the shoulder, and weigh 7-16 kg. Their coat is any shade from fawn to rufous, typically rather orange. The underside, including chin and throat,
220-503: A life expectancy of about six years, but can live for up to 10 years. Habitat loss doesn't appear to be a major factor influencing the conservation status of the Cape fox; in some regions, changing agricultural practices have resulted in range extensions for this species. As these foxes are presumed to prey on livestock, in particular lambs, they are commonly target by farmers. They are targeted by various control methods, such as leg-hold traps and
275-399: A loud bark when alarmed. A long-range vocalization of yelps or yapping barks has been described, but Cape foxes apparently do not howl. When in an aggressive mood, the Cape fox is known to growl and spit at its attacker. They may use other forms of communication, such as facial expressions and tail posturing; to show its excitement, the fox lifts its tail, the height of the tail often indicating
330-545: A pointed, slightly upturned snout ; and a long, bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species belong to the monophyletic "true fox" group of genus Vulpes . Another 25 current or extinct species are sometimes called foxes – they are part of the paraphyletic group of the South American foxes or an outlying group, which consists of the bat-eared fox , gray fox , and island fox . Foxes live on every continent except Antarctica. The most common and widespread species of fox
385-426: A white marking . A fox's coat color and texture may vary due to the change in seasons; fox pelts are richer and denser in the colder months and lighter in the warmer months. To get rid of the dense winter coat, foxes moult once a year around April; the process begins from the feet, up the legs, and then along the back. Coat color may also change as the individual ages. A fox's dentition , like all other canids,
440-453: A woman in Clapham, London was bitten on the arm by a fox after she had left the door to her flat open. The fox appears in many cultures, usually in folklore . There are slight variations in their depictions. In European, Persian, East Asian, and Native American folklore, foxes are symbols of cunning and trickery —a reputation derived especially from their reputed ability to evade hunters. This
495-416: Is I 3/3, C 1/1, PM 4/4, M 3/2 = 42. (Bat-eared foxes have six extra molars, totalling in 48 teeth.) Foxes have pronounced carnassial pairs, which is characteristic of a carnivore . These pairs consist of the upper premolar and the lower first molar, and work together to shear tough material like flesh. Foxes' canines are pronounced, also characteristic of a carnivore, and are excellent in gripping prey. In
550-498: Is alternated with prostration during extended pursuit. They are known to take refuge in the burrows of aardvarks . Known predators include Southern African wildcat , caracal , jackals , leopard , martial eagle and pythons . Steenbok are typically solitary, except for when a pair come together to mate . However, it has been suggested that pairs occupy consistent territories while living independently, staying in contact through scent markings , so that they know where their mate
605-514: Is approximately 16% of the population. Nonetheless, populations of V. chama are currently stable across their entire geographic range thus it is not listed in the IUCN Red List . Fox All other species in Canini Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae . They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears;
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#1732845279465660-484: Is covered with a dense layer of guard hair < 40 mm (1.6 in) in thickness. Molt occurs in the wet season from October to November. V. chama presents little to no sexual dimorphism . Cape fox is the only species in the genus Vulpes that exists in Africa south of the equator. It primarily occupies arid and semi-arid areas, but in sections, such as the fynbos biome of the western Cape Province of South Africa,
715-424: Is dull red and the lower jaw is dark brown. There are white marks on the throat. The legs are more tawny than the rest of the body. The tail is dense and bushy, and can be silvery, pale fawn, buff with brown or black tips, or dull yellow. The tail tip is always black, and there's a dark spot over the caudal gland. Pelage is soft and composed of a thick wavy underfur of around 25 mm (1 in) in length. Underfur
770-601: Is limited to the forests that extend from the southernmost to the northwesternmost part of the island. Though the Nahuelbuta National Park is protected, 90% of the species live on Chiloé Island. A major issue the species faces is their dwindling, limited habitat due to the cutting and burning of the unprotected forests. Because of deforestation, the Darwin's fox habitat is shrinking, allowing for their competitor's ( chilla fox ) preferred habitat of open space, to increase;
825-426: Is most of the time. Scent marking is primarily through dung middens . Territories range from 4 hectares to 1 square kilometre. The male is aggressive during the female's oestrus , engaging in "bluff-and-bluster" type displays with rival males—prolonged contests invariably involve well-matched individuals, usually in their prime. Breeding occurs throughout the year, although more fawns are born November to December in
880-540: Is often pressure to exclude them from these environments. The San Joaquin kit fox is a highly endangered species that has, ironically, become adapted to urban living in the San Joaquin Valley and Salinas Valley of southern California. Its diet includes mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, hares, bird eggs, and insects, and it has claimed habitats in open areas, golf courses, drainage basins, and school grounds. Though rare, bites by foxes have been reported; in 2018,
935-681: Is the Russian silver fox , which resulted in visible and behavioral changes, and is a case study of an animal population modeling according to human domestication needs. The current group of domesticated silver foxes are the result of nearly fifty years of experiments in the Soviet Union and Russia to de novo domesticate the silver morph of the red fox. This selective breeding resulted in physical and behavioral traits appearing that are frequently seen in domestic cats, dogs, and other animals, such as pigmentation changes, floppy ears, and curly tails. Notably,
990-544: Is the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) with about 47 recognized subspecies . The global distribution of foxes, together with their widespread reputation for cunning, has contributed to their prominence in popular culture and folklore in many societies around the world. The hunting of foxes with packs of hounds, long an established pursuit in Europe, especially in the British Isles , was exported by European settlers to various parts of
1045-414: Is usually represented as a character possessing these traits. These traits are used on a wide variety of characters, either making them a nuisance to the story, a misunderstood hero, or a devious villain. In East Asian folklore, foxes are depicted as familiar spirits possessing magic powers. Similar to in the folklore of other regions, foxes are portrayed as mischievous, usually tricking other people, with
1100-532: Is white, as is the ring around the eye. Ears are large with "finger-marks" on the inside. Males have straight, smooth, parallel horns 7–19 cm long (see image left). There is a black crescent-shape between the ears, a long black bridge to the glossy black nose, and a black circular scent-gland in front of the eye. The tail is not usually visible, being only 4–6 cm long. There are two distinct clusters in steenbok distribution. In East Africa , it occurs in central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania . It
1155-499: The IUCN have since downgraded the conservation status from crictically endangered in their 2004 and 2008 assessments to endangered in the 2016 assessment, following findings of a wider distribution than previously reported. On the Chilean mainland, the population is limited to Nahuelbuta National Park and the surrounding Valdivian rainforest . Similarly on Chiloé Island , their population
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#17328452794651210-553: The Middle English southern dialectal "v" pronunciation instead of "f"; i.e., northern English "fox" versus southern English "vox". A group of foxes is referred to as a skulk , leash , or earth . Within the Canidae, the results of DNA analysis shows several phylogenetic divisions: Foxes are generally smaller than some other members of the family Canidae such as wolves and jackals , while they may be larger than some within
1265-499: The New World . The word fox comes from Old English and derives from Proto-Germanic * fuhsaz . This in turn derives from Proto-Indo-European * puḱ- "thick-haired, tail." Male foxes are known as dogs , tods , or reynards ; females as vixens ; and young as cubs , pups , or kits , though the last term is not to be confused with the kit fox , a distinct species. "Vixen" is one of very few modern English words that retain
1320-516: The crab-eating fox ) have more specialized diets. Most species of fox consume around 1 kg (2.2 lb) of food every day. Foxes cache excess food, burying it for later consumption, usually under leaves, snow, or soil. While hunting, foxes tend to use a particular pouncing technique, such that they crouch down to camouflage themselves in the terrain and then use their hind legs to leap up with great force and land on top of their chosen prey. Using their pronounced canine teeth, they can then grip
1375-428: The honey badger ( Mellivora capensis ). It is also sometimes preyed upon by black-backed jackals ( Canis mesomelas ) and other predators, such as African leopards ( Panthera pardus ), caracals ( Caracal caracal ), and birds of prey, such as hawks and owls. It usually carries Echinococcus granulosus as an endoparasite and may be parasitised by fleas . During the breeding season, in southern hemisphere winter
1430-476: The springhare , to its specific requirements. Cape foxes are mostly solitary, and although they form mated pairs, the males and females are often found foraging alone. Occasionally, however, they can gather in loose groups to feed. Although V. chama shows signs of territoriality, such as scent marking , home range overlap does occur. Although a normally silent fox, the Cape fox is known to communicate with soft calls, whines or chirps. However, it will utter
1485-588: The California Channel Islands, it was found that the population of the island fox was so low due to an outbreak of canine distemper virus from 1999 to 2000 as well as predation by non-native golden eagles . Since 1993, the eagles have caused the population to decline by as much as 95%. Because of the low number of foxes, the population went through an Allee effect (an effect in which, at low enough densities, an individual's fitness decreases). Conservationists had to take healthy breeding pairs out of
1540-515: The Darwin's fox, subsequently, is being outcompeted. Another problem they face is their inability to fight off diseases transmitted by the increasing number of pet dogs. To conserve these animals, researchers suggest the need for the forests that link the Nahuelbuta National Park to the coast of Chile and in turn Chiloé Island and its forests, to be protected. They also suggest that other forests around Chile be examined to determine whether Darwin's foxes have previously existed there or can live there in
1595-560: The North-West province. It also occurs in Lesotho , a high mountainous region. The Cape fox is nocturnal and most active just before dawn or after dusk; it can be spotted during the early mornings and early evenings. During the day, it typically shelters in burrows underground, holes, hollows, or dense thickets. It is an active digger that will excavate its own burrow, although it generally modifies an abandoned burrow of another species, such as
1650-455: The ability to disguise as an attractive female human . Others depict them as mystical, sacred creatures who can bring wonder or ruin. Nine-tailed foxes appear in Chinese folklore, literature, and mythology, in which, depending on the tale, they can be a good or a bad omen. The motif was eventually introduced from Chinese to Japanese and Korean cultures. The constellation Vulpecula represents
1705-631: The central part of Kruger National Park , South Africa, Steenbok show a distinct preference for Acacia tortilis savannah throughout the year, with no tendency to migrate to moister areas during the dry season (unlike many larger African savannah ungulates, including species sympatric with Steenbok in the wet season). Population density is typically 0.3–1.0 individuals per square kilometre, reaching 4 per km in optimal habitats. Steenbok typically browse on low-level vegetation (they cannot reach above 0.9 m ), but are also adept at scraping up roots and tubers. In central Kruger National Park, Steenbok show
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1760-412: The cranium of V. chama is slightly wider and the maxillary region is slightly shorter. The ears are relatively large and sharp, the muzzle is small and pointed. Pelage colour is silvery-gray, tawny at the back of the ears, with white hairs appearing around the side of the pinna in the center. The colour of the neck and sides is lighter, and the underparts are pale tawny to pale buff. The head
1815-715: The cubs stay close to the den until they are about four months old. Several females may also share simultaneously the same den. The cubs are weaned around six to eight weeks of age, but do not begin to forage until they are four months old and often play outside during daylight hours. Both parents care for the young, with the male also providing food to the female for at least 1–2 weeks postpartum. Cubs usually become independent at 5–11.5 months of age, when they disperse (typically in June or July). Juveniles may disperse 7–22 km (4.3–13.7 mi) from natal den and females may remain in their natal range. Some Cape fox subadults steal food brought to
1870-483: The early 19th century for sport, and have since become widespread through much of the country. They have caused population decline among many native species and prey on livestock, especially new lambs. Fox hunting is practiced as recreation in several other countries including Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia, United States and Australia. There are many records of domesticated red foxes and others, but rarely of sustained domestication. A recent and notable exception
1925-710: The family Canidae, foxes have partially retractable claws . Fox vibrissae, or whiskers , are black. The whiskers on the muzzle, known as mystacial vibrissae, average 100–110 millimetres ( 3 + 7 ⁄ 8 – 4 + 3 ⁄ 8 inches) long, while the whiskers everywhere else on the head average to be shorter in length. Whiskers (carpal vibrissae) are also on the forelimbs and average 40 mm ( 1 + 5 ⁄ 8 in) long, pointing downward and backward. Other physical characteristics vary according to habitat and adaptive significance. Fox species differ in fur color, length, and density. Coat colors range from pearly white to black-and-white to black flecked with white or grey on
1980-461: The family, such as raccoon dogs . In the largest species, the red fox , males weigh between 4.1 and 8.7 kg (9.0 and 19.2 lb), while the smallest species, the fennec fox , weighs just 0.7 to 1.6 kg ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 to 3 + 1 ⁄ 2 lb). Fox features typically include a triangular face, pointed ears, an elongated rostrum , and a bushy tail. They are digitigrade (meaning they walk on their toes). Unlike most members of
2035-519: The first nonlinear oscillation studied and led to the derivation of the Lotka–Volterra equation . Fox meat is edible, though it is not considered a common cuisine in any country. Fox hunting originated in the United Kingdom in the 16th century. Hunting with dogs is now banned in the United Kingdom, though hunting without dogs is still permitted. Red foxes were introduced into Australia in
2090-554: The fruit intact. The island fox , though considered a near-threatened species throughout the world, is becoming increasingly endangered in its endemic environment of the California Channel Islands . A population on an island is smaller than those on the mainland because of limited resources like space, food and shelter. Island populations are therefore highly susceptible to external threats ranging from introduced predatory species and humans to extreme weather . On
2145-1139: The future, should the need to reintroduce the species to those areas arise. And finally, the researchers advise for the creation of a captive breeding program, in Chile, because of the limited number of mature individuals in the wild. Foxes are often considered pests or nuisance creatures for their opportunistic attacks on poultry and other small livestock. Fox attacks on humans are not common. Many foxes adapt well to human environments, with several species classified as "resident urban carnivores" for their ability to sustain populations entirely within urban boundaries. Foxes in urban areas can live longer and can have smaller litter sizes than foxes in non-urban areas. Urban foxes are ubiquitous in Europe, where they show altered behaviors compared to non-urban foxes, including increased population density, smaller territory, and pack foraging. Foxes have been introduced in numerous locations, with varying effects on indigenous flora and fauna. In some countries, foxes are major predators of rabbits and hens. Population oscillations of these two species were
2200-399: The group. Vulpes chama is a small-built canid , usually measuring 45 to 62 cm (17.5 to 24.5 in) long, not including its tail, which is typically 30 to 40 cm (12 to 15.5 in). It is 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14 in) tall at the shoulder, and usually weighs from 2.5 to 4.5 kg (5.5 to 9.9 lb). The skull is very similar to that of V. bengalensis , although
2255-441: The heat of the day. The time spent feeding at night increases in the dry season. While resting, they may be busy grooming, ruminating or taking brief spells of sleep. At the first sign of trouble, steenbok typically lie low in the vegetation. If a predator or perceived threat comes closer, a steenbok will leap away and follow a zigzag route to try to shake off the pursuer. Escaping steenbok frequently stop to look back, and flight
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2310-464: The illegal but widespread use of agricultural poisons on commercial farms. These control measures do not seem to have had a major impact on populations of the Cape fox, even though they have resulted in declines in some areas. They also often succumb to diseases such as rabies and canine distemper , and a large number of Cape foxes are killed on the road by vehicles. Many are hunted and persecuted as vermin. About 2,500 individuals are killed yearly; which
2365-458: The kits at the den by the parents. A family group usually consists of the parents and their offspring, but different family groups sometimes mix during feeding. Multiple litters are possible and have been observed; however, the female usually chases out the cubs from the last litter when she is expecting another one. Cape foxes are fully grown within about a year, with both the female and the male reaching sexual maturity at 9 months. The Cape fox has
2420-800: The mammary gland to the nipple, allowing for milk to be carried to the nipple. The fox's vocal repertoire is vast, and includes: In the case of domesticated foxes, the whining seems to remain in adult individuals as a sign of excitement and submission in the presence of their owners. Canids commonly known as foxes include the following genera and species: Several fox species are endangered in their native environments. Pressures placed on foxes include habitat loss and being hunted for pelts, other trade, or control. Due in part to their opportunistic hunting style and industriousness, foxes are commonly resented as nuisance animals. Contrastingly, foxes, while often considered pests themselves, have been successfully employed to control pests on fruit farms while leaving
2475-606: The measure of excitement. Cape foxes are completely omnivorous and opportunists, feeding mainly on small mammals (such as rodents ) and insects , but also commonly eating birds , small reptiles , carrion and fruits. Other food items include: gerbils; field mice and other small rodents, hares, birds; bird nestlings and eggs, diverse vegetable material, including wild fruit, berries, seeds, roots, and tubers; lizards, insects, such as white ants, beetles and their larvae, and locusts. They may also consume larger mammals like steenbok ( Raphicerus campestris ) and other carnivores such as
2530-496: The months of July and August, monogamous pairs may occur, but the duration and persistence from year to year is not well known. Paired adults typically only have contact during the mating season, but mouth sniffing or nuzzling ("greeting") occurs, as does body slamming. The female Cape fox has a gestation period of 51 to 53 days and gives birth to a litter of one to six cubs (or kits). They typically weigh from 50 to 100 g (1.8 to 3.5 oz) at birth. Reared underground in burrows,
2585-595: The new foxes became more tame, allowing themselves to be petted, whimpering to get attention and sniffing and licking their caretakers. Foxes are among the comparatively few mammals which have been able to adapt themselves to a certain degree to living in urban (mostly suburban) human environments. Their omnivorous diet allows them to survive on discarded food waste , and their skittish and often nocturnal nature means that they are often able to avoid detection, despite their larger size. Urban foxes have been identified as threats to cats and small dogs, and for this reason there
2640-559: The prey's neck and shake it until it is dead or can be readily disemboweled. The gray fox is one of only two canine species known to regularly climb trees; the other is the raccoon dog . The male fox's scrotum is held up close to the body with the testes inside even after they descend. Like other canines, the male fox has a baculum , or penile bone. The testes of red foxes are smaller than those of Arctic foxes. Sperm formation in red foxes begins in August–September, with
2695-648: The species reaches areas of higher rainfall and denser vegetation. In the central and western regions of southern Africa, the species is widespread, reaching around 15 ° N in south-western Angola. It is widespread in Zimbabwe , Botswana , and South Africa , occurring in most parts of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, the Eastern Cape (excluding the southeastern side), the Free State, western and northwestern KwaZulu-Natal and
2750-846: The testicles attaining their greatest weight in December–February. Vixens are in heat for one to six days, making their reproductive cycle twelve months long. As with other canines, the ova are shed during estrus without the need for the stimulation of copulating. Once the egg is fertilized, the vixen enters a period of gestation that can last from 52 to 53 days. Foxes tend to have an average litter size of four to five with an 80 percent success rate in becoming pregnant. Litter sizes can vary greatly according to species and environment – the Arctic fox , for example, can have up to eleven kits. The vixen usually has six or eight mammae . Each teat has 8 to 20 lactiferous ducts , which connect
2805-411: The underside. Fennec foxes (and other species of fox adapted to life in the desert, such as kit foxes ), for example, have large ears and short fur to aid in keeping the body cool. Arctic foxes , on the other hand, have tiny ears and short limbs as well as thick, insulating fur, which aid in keeping the body warm. Red foxes , by contrast, have a typical auburn pelt , the tail normally ending with
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#17328452794652860-476: The wild population to breed them in captivity until they had enough foxes to release back into the wild. Nonnative grazers were also removed so that native plants would be able to grow back to their natural height, thereby providing adequate cover and protection for the foxes against golden eagles. Darwin's fox was considered critically endangered because of their small known population of 250 mature individuals as well as their restricted distribution. However,
2915-513: The wild, the typical lifespan of a fox is one to three years, although individuals may live up to ten years. Unlike many canids, foxes are not always pack animals. Typically, they live in small family groups, but some (such as Arctic foxes ) are known to be solitary. Foxes are omnivores . Their diet is made up primarily of invertebrates such as insects and small vertebrates such as reptiles and birds. They may also eat eggs and vegetation. Many species are generalist predators, but some (such as
2970-477: The yellow mongoose ( Cynictis penicillata ). While Cape foxes have been reported to kill livestock, the predation level is unknown. Domestic sheep ( Ovis aries ) may comprise as much as 16.6% volume of its stomach content, but it appears to prey only on very young lambs (less than 3 months old), otherwise they can only consume it as carrion. They are known to cache food in holes. The Cape fox can be hunted by lions ( Panthera leo ) and its young may be killed by
3025-705: Was formerly widespread in Uganda , but is now almost certainly extinct there. In Southern Africa , it occurs in Angola , Namibia , South Africa , Eswatini , Botswana , Mozambique , Zambia , Zimbabwe and probably Lesotho . Steenbok live in a variety of habitats from semi-desert , such as the edge of the Kalahari Desert and Etosha National Park , to open woodland and thickets, including open plains , stony savannah , and Acacia – grassland mosaics . They are said to favour unstable or transitional habitats. At least in
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