Blanford's Fox

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 (Pseudalopex vetulus).

Distribution and Habitat

The Blanford's fox inhibits semi-arid regions, steppes and mountains of Afghanistan, Turkestan, northeast Iran, Baluchistan 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.