TIBETAN SAND FOX
DESCRIPTION: The Iron-Grey Sided Fox is an
alternate name of this high altitude fox that in summer has a tricoloured
appearance with the tan head and upper parts set off by grey sides, and a white
front and underparts. It is a short, squat fox with a characteristic
round-faced appearance because of its pronounced cheek ruffs, a flattened head
and very short ears. The tail is bushy and largely grey in colour with parts of
the upper tail having the tan colour of the body and a white tip. There are
vertical grey markings on the body between the forelegs and the chest. In
winter, the pelage is lighter and furrier with the greys fading considerably and
the tan turning almost cream. A clear line separating the tan from the grey on
the sides is a clear distinction between this and the Red Fox.
BEHAVIOUR: Largely feeds on pikas and
rodents although other small animals are also taken. Solitary hunter of pika
colonies.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in the Tibetan
Plateau, but in India occurs only in Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, and Sikkim
trans-Himalayas.
HABITAT: Alpine steppes, cold desert steppes, and arid to semi-arid uplands above the treeline.
Size: 51–65 cm
IUCN Status: Least Concern
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