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Cape Fox |
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He is a wild animal |
Origin |
Africa | |
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 Cape Fox (Vulpes chama) is a fox belonging to the genus Vulpes and family Canidae. It is found in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Lesotho. The average body and head length is 56 cm, with a tail of around 33 cm. Average weight is four kilograms. The upper part of the body is silver-gray, the underside light buff. The tip of the plume-like tail is black. The ears are long and pointed. The muzzle is short and pointed. The Cape Fox is an inhabitant of open arid zones. It is a nocturnal predator that hides during the day under rocks or in burrows dug in sandy ground. It hunts mainly small vertebrates and insects. In the Orange Free State, the population density is 0.3 individuals per km2. Territory size varies from 1.0 to 4.6 km2. Territories may overlap when prey is plentiful. The main vocalization is a call followed by several yelps. The Cape Fox lives in pairs or solitarily. The breeding season extends from September to October. After a gestation period of 51 to 52 days, the female gives birth to three to five cubs. |
English (United Kingdom)