 |
Blanford fox |
|
He is a wild animal |
Origin |
Middle East | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Afghan fox |
| 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) |
| Blanford's fox (Vulpes cana), sometimes called the Afghan fox, is a species of fox found in the Middle East. It takes its name from the British naturalist William Thomas Blanford. Blanford's fox measures around 42 cm and has a 30 cm tail. It weighs between 0.9 and 1.5 kg. This little fox has rather long ears and tail, a body mottled black, gray and white, a white belly, a dark stripe down its back, and a hushed, feline gait. It is a solitary nocturnal hunter of insects and small animals. They love fruit, which is why they can be found near orchards and groves. The Blanford fox lives only in the mountainous desert regions of the Middle East. It is fairly common in southeastern Israel, and can also be found in Afghanistan, Iran and neighboring countries. The breeding season is between December and January, with a gestation period of 50 to 60 days. A litter gives birth to 1 to 3 young, which are suckled for around 60 days. Sexual maturity is reached between 8 and 12 months, with an average lifespan of 4 to 5 years. The number of mature individuals is estimated at around a thousand, which has led to the species being classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. |
English (United Kingdom)