Bengal fox |
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He is a wild animal |
Origin |
India and neighboring countries | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
The possession of this animal is not authorized Royal Decree establishing the list of mammals not kept for production purposes that may be kept (M.B. 24.08.2009) |
The Bengal fox (Vulpes bengalensis) is a species of fox that lives on the Indian subcontinent. The Bengal fox is a species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, which means it is found only in India, and in parts of Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. It prefers semi-arid habitats, especially grasslands. It avoids dense forests and true deserts. This species of fox is relatively small. Its body is around 50 to 60 cm long, with a tail of around 30 cm. It generally weighs between 2 and 4 kg. Its coat is sandy orange, and the end of the tail is black. Like most foxes, it is omnivorous. It feeds mainly on insects (orthopterans, termites, ants, beetles), spiders, birds and their eggs (Mourning Kingbird, Crossed Sparrow and Grey Francolin), small rodents (Millardia meltada, Mus booduga, Tatera indica), lagomorphs (Lepus nigricollis), reptiles (Ptyas mucosa) and fruits (jujube, neem, mango, Syizigium cumini and Ficus bengalensis). Although Bengal foxes live in pairs, they hunt alone. Foxes produce a range of vocalizations. A long cry is the most common mode of vocal exchange. But the fox can also whine, whimper or growl. After a gestation period of 51 to 53 days, the female gives birth to a litter of 3 to 6 cubs weighing between 50 and 100 grams. |