By Melissa Borgwat
Geographic Range
Tibetan foxes have been known to inhabit the Tibetan plateau of India, China, Sutlej valley of northwestern India and parts of Nepal, specifically the Mustang district. (Postanowicz, 1997)
Biogeographic Regions:
palearctic 
(native ); oriental (native ).
Habitat
(17384 ft)
Tibetan sand foxes have been reported to inhabit barren slopes and streambeds. They appear to prefer rocky or brushy areas at high elevation. They are found on the Tibetan Steppe at a maximum altitude of 5.300 m. These animals live in excavated dens or burrows under rocks or in crevices of boulder piles. (IUCN Canid Specialist Group, 2004; Nowak, 1991)
These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate ; terrestrial .
Terrestrial Biomes:
chaparral ; scrub forest ; mountains .
Physical Description
(6.6 to 8.8 lbs; avg. 7.7 lbs)
(38.39 to 46.26 in; avg. 42.32 in)
Tibetan sand foxes range in color from black, to brown and rusty-colored, to yellowish on neck and back. They possess a tawny band on the dorsal region and white on the tail, muzzle and belly. The fur is thick, with a dense undercoat. (IUCN Canid Specialist Group, 2004; Nowak, 1991)
From nose to tail, The head and body length of Vulpes ferrilata measures from 575 to 700 mm. The tail adds an additional 400 to 475 mm to the total length. These animals weigh between 3 and 4 kg. There is no information available on sexual differences in size. The muzzle is elongated relative to most fox species. The teeth are well developed with extraordinarily long canines and narrow maxilla. (IUCN Canid Specialist Group, 2004; Nowak, 1991)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
It seems these animals breed once annually.
Breeding occurs in late February or early March.
V. ferrilata is apparently monogamous, with mated pairs staying together for life. (Schaller, May 2000)
Mating systems:
monogamous .
Mating season falls around late February to early March, and pairs of foxes stay together and are life-long mates. They live, hunt and share the responsibility of raising the young together. The gestation period is thought to be 50 to 60 days. Kits are born in late April to early May. The litter size ranges from 2 - 5 kits. The kits do not emerge from the den for some weeks after birth, so the exact gestation period is unknown. (Schaller, May 2000)
Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous .
All canid young are altricial. V. ferrilata young o not emerge from their natal dens until they are several weeks old. The exact timing of weaning has not been reported. Because the species is monogamous, both parents are involved in caring for the young. (Schaller, May 2000)
Parental investment:
no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (protecting: female); pre-hatching/birth (provisioning: female, protecting: male, female); pre-weaning/fledging (provisioning: female, protecting: male, female); pre-independence (provisioning: male, female, protecting: male, female); extended period of juvenile learning.
Lifespan/Longevity
Some researchers assume a lifespan of 8-10 years under ideal circumstances. Most foxes are lost to natural causes or human trackers before their fifth year. (Schaller, May 2000)
Behavior
Mated pairs remain together for life. When one of the pair dies, it is unknown if the other seeks another mate. Kits stay with the parents until they are 8 to 10 months old. At that age they leave the den to find mates and home ranges of their own. The foxes are not overly territorial, and many pairs of the animals have been found living in close quarters and sharing hunting grounds. (Postanowicz, 1997; Schaller, May 2000)
Home Range
The home range size for this species has not been reported.
Communication and Perception
Short yips are passed between animals to communicate, but since the pairs usually stay together, no long distance communication is known or thought necessary. Scent is used to define territory, but the foxes are not known to actively defend their area. (Nowak, 1991)
Other communication keywords:
scent marks .
Food Habits
Foxes hunt in pairs (one male, one female) and will share whatever food is caught. They eat mostly rodents, hares, rabbits, and small ground birds. However, anything that can be caught will be eaten. The Black lipped pika, also sharing the same range and habitat, seems to be a preferred prey item. (Schaller, May 2000)
Primary Diet:
carnivore (eats terrestrial vertebrates).
Animal Foods:
birds; mammals; eggs.
Predation
- humans (Homo sapiens)
When threatened, Tibetan sand foxes retreat to their dens. (Nowak, 1991; Schaller, May 2000)
Ecosystem Roles
Tibetan sand foxes play a significant role in controlling the rodent and small animal population. They may also help to aerate the soil by digging their dens.
Key ways these animals impact their ecosystem:
soil aeration .
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
These animals apparently have no negative impact on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
The only known predators of this species are humans, who commonly trap and kill V. ferrilata for their fur. There is a large industry in the higher areas of Tibet and Nepal for the fox’s fur, which is usually made into hats. The fur is prized for this, because of its great ability to protect its wearer from the wind and other elements. (IUCN Canid Specialist Group, 2004; Nowak, 1991; Postanowicz, 1997; Schaller, May 2000)
Ways that people benefit from these animals:
body parts are source of valuable material.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Least Concern.
US Migratory Bird Act: [link]:
No special status.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
V. ferrilata was formerly (1996) on the IUCN Redlist as a species of Lower Risk (least concern), but is currently unlisted.
For More Information
Find Vulpes ferrilata information at
Contributors
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
Melissa Borgwat (author), California State University Sacramento.
James Biardi (editor), California State University Sacramento.
