Blanford's Fox

Taxobox
name = Blanford's FoxMSW3 Wozencraft | id = 14000867]


status = VU
trend = unknown
status_system = iucn2.3
status_ref = IUCN2006|assessors=Geffen "et al"|year=2004|id=23050|title=Vulpes cana|downloaded=11 May 2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Carnivora
familia = Canidae
genus = "Vulpes"
species = "V. cana"
binomial = "Vulpes cana"
binomial_authority = (Blanford, 1877)
range_

range_map_caption = Range of Blanford's Fox
synonyms =
*"nigricans" Shitkow, 1907

The Blanford's Fox ("Vulpes cana"), is a small fox found in certain regions of the Middle East.

Other Names

Afghan fox, Corsac, dog fox, hoary fox, and steppe fox. This can be confusing because other species are known as the Corsac fox "(Vulpes corsac)" and the hoary fox "(Lycalopex vetulus)".

Distribution and Habitat

The Blanford's fox inhabits semi-arid regions, steppes and mountains of Afghanistan, Egypt (Sinaï), Turkestan, northeast Iran, SW Pakistan, Palestine and Israel. It may also live throughout Arabia (Oman, Yemen, Jordan, and west Saudi Arabia), as one was trapped in Dhofar, Oman in 1984.

Appearance

Like all desert foxes, the Blanford's fox has large ears which enables it to dissipate heat. However, unlike other desert foxes, it does not have pads covered with hair, which would otherwise protect its paws from hot sand. Its tail is almost equal in length to its body. Its coat is light tan, with white underparts and a black tip on the tail.

Shoulder height: 12 in. (30 cm)

Head and body length: 17 in. (42 cm)

Tail length: 12 in. (30 cm)

Weight: 3-6.5 lb. (1.5-3 kg)

Diet

Omnivorous, and more frugivorous than other foxes. It prefers seedless grapes, ripe melons and Russian chives when consuming domestic crops. In addition, it eats insects.

Reproduction

Time of mating: December-January.

Gestation period: 50-60 days.

Litter size: 1-3 kits.

Lactation: 60 days.

Age at sexual maturity: 8-12 months.

Longevity: Generally 4-5 years, but reported to live up to 10 years.

References

*aut|Abu Baker, M. A. "et al.", (2004). On the Current Status and Distribution of Blanford's Fox, "Vulpes cana" Blanford, 1877, in Jordan (Mammalia: Carnivora: Canidae). Turk. J. Zool., 28: 1-6.
*aut|Geffen, E., R. Hefner, D. W. Macdonald and M. Ucko, (1992). Habitat selection and home range in the Blanford's fox, "Vulpes cana": compatibility with the Resource Dispersion Hypothesis. Oecologia 91: 75-81.
*aut|Geffen, E., (1994). Blanford's fox, "Vulpes cana". Mammalian Species, 462:1-4.
*aut|Stuart, C.T. and Stuart, T., (1995). Canids in the southeastern Arabian Peninsula. Canid News 3:30-32.

External links

*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Vulpes_cana/ images and movies of the Blanford's fox "(Vulpes cana)"]
* [http://www.lioncrusher.com/animal.asp?animal=7 Lioncrusher's Domain -- Blanford's Fox (Vulpes cana) facts and pictures]
* [http://www.canids.org/SPPACCTS/vcana.htm IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group: Blanford's Fox]