Arabian red fox
| Arabian red fox | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Synapsida |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Caniformia |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Vulpes |
| Species: | V. vulpes |
| Subspecies: | V. v. arabica |
| Trinomial name | |
| Vulpes vulpes arabica Thomas, 1902 | |
The Arabian red fox (Vulpes vulpes arabica) is a subspecies of the red fox native to Arabia, specifically Dhofar and Al Hajar Mountains in Oman and they are also found in UAE, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.[1][2] The Arabian red fox is similar in color to the common red fox. However, it is more adapted to desert life than its parent species. The fox's ears are much larger, and its body is much smaller than that of the red fox.
The Arabian red fox also has fur between its toes, to prevent burning of the feet. It is brownish pale red in color and averages 2.7–4.5 kg (6–10 lbs) in weight.[3] This fox is a solitary animal with well defined home ranges. Its diet consists of rodents, birds, and fish as well as some desert vegetation or even carrion. They are most active at night. The small foxes open the eyes after 10 days from birth. Arabian foxes live in various environments, including mountains, coasts, deserts, and cities.
See also
References
- ↑ Red Fox Subspecies http://www.pbase.com/corotauria/vos
- ↑ species.wikimedia.org. species.wikimedia.org. Retrieved on 2012-12-31.
- ↑ Terrestrial Mammals. uaeinteract.com. (PDF) . Retrieved on 2012-12-31.
External links
- Wildlifeonline – Natural History of the Red Fox
- natural uae. UAE INTERACT ONLINE : NATURAL EMIRATES : MAMMALS : – Arabian Red Fox.
- UAE Interact : Terrestrial Mammals