Wildlifeof Nepal
Tibetan Fox
Bears, Dogs & Otters
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Vulpes ferrilata
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly plateau pikas, also rodents, marmots, woolly hares, small ground birds and lizards
Habitat
Upland plains and hills at 3,500–5,200m
Range
Tibetan Plateau and the northern border regions of Nepal and India, Bhutan and China
Litter size
2–4 young
Gestation period
About 50–60 days
Size
Head and body 60–70cm; tail 29–40cm
Weight
4–5.5kg
The Tibetan fox has a soft, dense, rufous coat from the crown and back to the lower legs, with grey cheeks, flanks, upper legs and rump, and a bushy tail with a white tip. The muzzle is narrow and the short ears are tan to greyish on the back. Adults measure 60 to 70cm excluding a 29 to 40cm tail and weigh 4 to 5.5kg (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Nepal it occurs north of the Himalayas, in the northernmost border regions. It hunts mostly by day, as its main prey, pikas, is active in daylight, and tends to be solitary, though mated pairs stay together and may hunt together. Burrows are dug at the base of boulders and on low slopes, and two to four young are born after 50 to 60 days. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Tibetan Fox eat?
- Mainly plateau pikas, also rodents, marmots, woolly hares, small ground birds and lizards
- What habitat does the Tibetan Fox live in?
- Upland plains and hills at 3,500–5,200m
- Where is the Tibetan Fox found?
- Tibetan Plateau and the northern border regions of Nepal and India, Bhutan and China
- What is the litter size of the Tibetan Fox?
- 2–4 young
- How long is the gestation period of the Tibetan Fox?
- About 50–60 days
- How big is the Tibetan Fox?
- Head and body 60–70cm; tail 29–40cm
- How much does the Tibetan Fox weigh?
- 4–5.5kg