Bengal Fox

Bengal Fox or Indian Fox with the scientific name Vulpes bengalensis is the species native to the Indian Subcontinent.

They are mainly found at the Terai region and at the foothills of the Himalayas. They belong to the family called Canidae and the genus Vulpes. The quick classification of Bengal Fox is as below,

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Canidae
Genus	Vulpes
Species	Vulpes  Bengalensis
Sub species	Vulpes bengalensis

Physical Structure

Bengal Fox is a medium sized fox. It has an elongated muzzle with long pointed ears. Bengal fox have a body length of approximately 50 cms (20 inches), a tail length between 25 and 30 cms (9.8 - 12 inches) and they weigh between 3 and 4 kgs (6.6 - 8.8 lbs). Tails are long and bushy and its length is 25-30 cm. Tails have a distinctive black tip and they have a long, pointed muzzle. They have long sharp pointed canines and well developed molar teeth. Bengal Fox has relatively long ears. It has brown legs and black lips.
Their ears are large for their size and are possible an adaptation for thermoregulation in their hot, arid habitats. The colour of their coat is buff orange with paler underparts and black tip on its tail. The fur is reddish brown in color. Bengal fox lives for about 10-12 years.

Bengal fox generally prefer foothills and non-forested regions such as open grassland, thorny scrub, semi-desert and arid environments.

It has never been found in jungles and tall grasslands. They can also be found in agricultural fields, as they are not generally fearful of humans. They live in pairs and they inhabit burrows that are 0.6 - 0.9 m (2 - 3 ft) below the surface of the ground. These burrows have several openings converging towards the central burrow area.

These dens contain complex tunnel systems. Generally a den has 2 to 7 entrance tunnels, but a den with 43 tunnels has also been noted. Dens are reused and become larger with use.The Bengal fox's favourite time of day is dawn or twilight; it spends the hottest hours of the day hiding from the sun under thick vegetation.

Places Found

It is found in the Bandhavargh, Bandipur and Sundarban National Parks.

Bandhavargh National Park: Bandhavargh National Park is one of the famous national parks in India located in Madhya Pradesh. It has an area of 105 kms. It was declared as a national park in 1968. It has the highest density of Bengal tigers in the world. One of the biggest attractions of this national park is the tigers and their sightings. Bandhavgarh has a very high density of fox within the folds of its jungles. Other than tigers, this reserve is densely populated with other rare species like Indian fox (Bengal fox), spotted deer, and hyena.

Sundarban National Park: Sundarban National Park is a famous national park, Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta of West Bengal. It has the largest population of Bengal Tigers and Bengal Fox. It is a home to a variety of birds and reptile species. This region is densely covered with mangrove forests. This park is the reserve place for many endangered species.

Food Habits

Bengal Fox are omnivores and they mainly feed on birds, rodents, reptiles, insects, eggs and fruits. Although they live in pairs they usually hunt alone. Common prey includes ants, beetle grubs, spiders, and soft–furred rats. They also feed on fruits of berry, neem, and mango.

Bengal Fox breed once per year and mating takes place from December to January.

Bengal fox remain near dens during the period from February to June, when they are raising pups. After a gestation period of 51 - 53 days, 3 - 6 young are born in a den, which weigh 50 – 100 g.

Both parents help to raise the young and they are weaned at around 1 month old. Both males and females are responsible for guarding the dens. The young fox become independent at 4 - 5 months old and they reach sexual maturity at 1 - 2 years of age. The breeding season is announced by re-excavation of old dens or the digging of new dens.

Communication and Perception

The common vocalization of Bengal fox is a chattering cry that plays a major role in advertising territory. These fox also growl, whimper, whine and "growl-bark." During the breeding season, males vocalize extensively during the early morning hours, at dusk, and at night.

Threats to Bengal Fox

Although the Indian Fox is widespread, it occurs at low densities throughout its range, and populations can undergo major fluctuations due to prey availability. It is also quite sensitive to human modifications of its habitat. With expanding human populations and continued development of grasslands and "wastelands" for agricultural and industrial uses, the habitat of the Indian Fox is continuously being depleted.

The combination of above factors along with disease and/or natural mortality could potentially cause local extinctions. In certain states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, the Indian Fox habitat is widespread with minimal threats, while in other states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu the specialized habitats of the Indian Fox are under serious threat. Due to loss of short grassland-scrub habitat to intensive agriculture, industry and development projects, the Indian Fox population is on the decline.

There are no known commercial uses for the Indian Fox,

although there is limited localized trade for skin, tail, teeth and claws (for medicinal and charm purposes). There is no trade or potential for trade of the Indian Fox.

Conservation efforts in India

The population of the Begnal Fox in India are listed on CITES Appendix III. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972 as amended up to 1991) prohibits hunting of all wildlife and lists the Indian Fox in Schedule II. It is not on any special category for protection in the wildlife legislation of Nepal. People hunt Bengal Fox for its flesh and skin. They are also hunted for sports. Its body parts are used in the traditional medicines. Loss of its grassland habitat has seriously declined its population in India.

The Indian Fox is held in captivity in several zoos in India, where the species breeds well. In 2001, there were 15 males, 14 females, and 11 unsexed individuals in several zoos.

Interesting Facts

• The various body parts of Bengal fox is used in traditional medicines and in some areas people eat their meat.
• Indian Fox are known to use a wide range of vocalizations and pitch tones to communicate with each other.
• Their maximum life span is 10 years.
• Hunting of the animal is prohibited by the 1991 Indian Wildlife Protection Act, but the animal is occasionally hunted nonetheless since its teeth and tail are prized as folk medicine.