Red Fox

Habitat:

They are found in almost all available habitats, and also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas and rubbish dumps. They are mainly nocturnal, but may also be seen at dawn and dusk. They dig burrows on hillsides or under trees to avoid excessive heat.

Habits:

Their diet includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, carrion and fruit. On beaches, they hunt for dead fish, crabs, birds’ eggs, and will dig up turtle eggs and eat hatchling turtles. When hunting, they stalk as close as they can and then pounce. Females give birth to 3-5 cubs after a gestation of about 56 days. In captivity, they can live up to 12 years, though in the wild they typically do not survive past 3 years of age.

Distribution:

In Qatar, Red Foxes are widely distributed in low numbers. They are subject to hunting and road accidents.

Description:

Length: 60-120 cm, Tail length: 24-41 cm, Weight: 3-5 kg

Red Foxes are larger than Rüppell’s Sand Foxes, and are variable in colour, ranging from light sand coloured to light reddish brown. The back of the rears are dark grey, and there is usually a dark marking running from the eye towards the jaw. In winter its fur becomes thicker and darker than in summer. The chin and underside are dull white, often with a dark grey area on the lower throat. The tail is longer than half the body length, and is bushy with white a tip.