The Arabian red fox (Vulpes vulpes arabica) is a subspecies of the red fox native to the Arabian Peninsula; Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It may also be present in Iraq and Israel. It is the smallest subspecies of red fox, weighing only , and can be distinguished by its large ears and short fur — traits which are adapted for a desert environment.
Description
The Arabian red fox is brownish pale red in color, and has fur between its toes, to prevent burning of the feet. It weighs on average. Their fur coat is longer and duller-colored in the winter.
Males tend to be about 15% larger than females, averaging in weight and in body length, while females weigh and are long. The average height at the shoulders is , and the tail is long.
The Arabian red fox can look similar to other subspecies of red fox. However, it is more adapted to desert life than its parent species, with its ears being much larger, and its fur is much shorter. It is the smallest subspecies of red fox.
Behaviour and ecology
The Arabian red fox is a mostly solitary animal, but may form loosely-knit social groups of a few individuals. They are nomadic, temporarily occupying defined home ranges. They are most active at night. The young open their eyes 10 days after birth. They live in various environments, including mountains, coasts, deserts, and cities. They can tolerate temperatures from over to near freezing. In the wild they have lifespans of 2–4 years, while those in captivity have been observed to live for 10–12 years.
Diet The Arabian red fox is an omnivore, and it eats almost anything, including rodents, birds, fish, and carrion.
In the city of Sakaka, northwestern Saudi Arabia, the Arabian red fox has a highly varied diet, with a large amount of scavenged food waste from homes. Notable scavenged food consists of cooked rice, found in the stomachs of 30% of foxes surveyed, the cooked meat of sheep and dromedary camels, and dates. 18% of foxes had accidental ingestion of non-food items, such as tin foil, paper, small pieces of plastic, and clothing.
During turtle breeding season in the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve in Oman, up to 90% of the Arabian red fox's diet consists of green sea turtle eggs and hatchlings.
See also
Fennec fox Blanford's fox Arabian wolf Arabian wildcat Xerocole (animals adapted to deserts)
References
External links Residents spot foxes in their neighbourhood and close to homes in Dubai (Gulf News) Khareef’s hidden watcher: The Arabian Red Fox in Oman (Oman Daily Observer)