Page 27 - World of Animals - Issue #39

50 fox facts

46. The red fox is 47. They
the most successful
carnivore in the world mate for life

The bushy-tail red fox is the most common fox
worldwide and the largest geographical range Some species, such as the grey fox and
of any carnivore. This is partly because it has the Bengal fox, form pair bonds that can last

most flexible diet of the foxes, allowing it to adapt a lifetime. Most species will naturally form

to more habitats. Wherever the red fox finds itself, these types of relationships but for some, it

it will always find food. This is also why it has done will depend on their environment. In times
particularly well in urban environments, thanks to of disease or food scarcity they will lead
its scavenging ability. a more polygynous lifestyle, meaning one
male will mate with multiple females.

49. The swift fox
48. Danger to foxes was nearly declared
comes from the sky extinct in the 1930s

Rueppell’s foxes live in inhospitable There were very few individuals le in North

habitat in the north of Africa and have very America when conservation measures were
few predators for this reason; however put in place. Predator control programs were
they can’t completely let their guard hugely successful and a number of foxes were
down as aerial predators such as steppe reintroduced to the areas they were once found.
eagles and eagle owls are always ready to They are now considered to be of least concern to
swoop down and carry a fox away. the IUCN and populations are stable.

BELOW
Eagle owls
tend to hunt 50. The fennec fox’s
for rabbits,
but are also a ears do much more
risk to foxes.
than sound out prey
The 15.24 centimetre (six inch) long ears are
amazing for listening to prey, they tilt their heads
form side to side while triangulating sound so that
they can pinpoint the exact location of insects,
rodents, reptiles, and other tasty treats which are © Thinkstock; NaturePL; Alamy; FLPA

oen hiding under the sand. These oversized ears
are for more than just listening. The ears also
serve as a way to dissipate heat and keep cool in
the desert heat.

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