BENGAL FOXES: CHARACTERISTICIS, BEHAVIOR, HUMANS

BENGAL FOXES

Bengal fox

Bengal foxes (Vulpes bengalensis) are also known as Indian foxes. Distributed from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the tip of the Indian peninsula in the south, they are native to the Indian subcontinent and are widespread throughout their range in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan as well as India. [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Bengal foxes live in temperate and tropical land environments in deserts, dune areas, savanna grasslands and scrub forests as well as agricultural areas at an average elevation of 1350 meters (4430 feet). They generally prefer foothills and non-forested regions such as open grassland, thorny scrub, semi-desert and arid environments. They can also be seen in agricultural fields, as they are not so fearful of humans. These foxes make their homes burrows built approximately 60 centimeters to a meter (two to three feet) below the ground surface. These burrows have several openings with short that meet at a central burrow area. Some of these openings are dead ends while others lead towards a large, central breeding space. /=\

Because of their low population densities, little is known about the lifespan of Bengal foxes in the wild. The average lifespan of Vulpes species (foxes) generally ranges between 10 and 12 years, which may also the case with Bengal foxes. The main threats to these animals are humans, natural predation, roadkills, and human caused habitat degradation. Populations of Bengal foxes fluctuate naturally with prey availability.

The main natural predators of Bengal foxes are Asiatic wolves and feral dogs. Predation by these animals does not appear to have a significant impact on population density of Begal foxes. Bengal foxes help humans and local ecosystems by preying on small rodents.

Bengal Fox Characteristics

Bengal foxes are medium sized foxes. They range in weight from 2.3 to 4.2 kilograms (5 to 9.2 pounds) and range in length from 45.7 to 61 centimeters (18 to 24 inches). Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is not present: Both sexes are roughly equal in size and look similar. [Source:Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Bengal have elongated muzzles and small patches of black hair on the upper portion of their muzzle. Pamela Meadors wrote in Animal Diversity Web: The most prominent feature of Bengal foxes is a large bushy tail accounting for up to 60 percent of their body length and possessing a distinct black tip. During normal movement, the tail is left trailing. When running the tail is carried horizontally. It is held vertically when these foxes make sudden turns.

Dorsal fur varies seasonally and within populations but is generally hoary gray on the dorsum and paler ventrally. Fur on the ears is dark brown with a black margin. Their ears are large for their size and are possible an adaptation to thermoregulation in their hot, arid habitats. Dentition includes sharply pointed canines and and well developed molar teeth with a dental formula of 3/3-1/1-4/4-2/3 = 42. /=\

Bengal Fox Behavior and Communication

Bengal fox range

Bengal foxes are terricolous (live on the ground), nocturnal (active at night), crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary), sedentary (remain in the same area), solitary and territorial (defend an area within the home range). [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

The size of their range territory is up 10 square meters. These home ranges consist of one or several dens and foraging area around the dens. The dens are comprised of a complex tunnel systems. Generally a den has two to seven entrance tunnels, but can have more. A den with 43 tunnels has been discovered. Dens are reused and become larger with use. A single den in the Gujarat region spanned ten x eight meters. /=\

Bengal foxes are generally not fearful of humans, making them vulnerable to hunting. In response to human presence, Bengal fox populations alter their active periods from daytime to dawn and dusk and night habits. In mild temperatures and cloudy weather, daytime hunting also occurs. Hunting is a solitary endeavor. The basic social unit is one breeding pair but larger aggregations may occur when grown pups remain in their natal area. Female Bengal foxes have been witnessed sharing dens during lactation and four adult foxes have been seen emerging from the same den. /=\

Bengal foxes sense using vision, touch, sound and chemicals usually detected with smell and communicate with sound and chemicals usually detected by smelling. They also leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. The common vocalization of Bengal foxes is a chattering cry that plays a major role in advertising territory. These foxes also growl, whimper, whine and "growl-bark." During the breeding season, males vocalize extensively during the early morning hours, at dusk, and at night. Scat and scent marking are also used to indicate territories and areas that have been recently hunted. /=\

Bengal Fox Food and Eating Behavior

Bengal foxes are omnivores (eat a variety of things, including plants and animals). Animal foods include birds, mammals, reptiles, eggs, insects and terrestrial non-insect arthropods. Among the plant foods they eat are fruit. [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Bengal foxes are opportunistic and feed mainly on insects, birds and their eggs, small rodents, reptiles, and fruits. The fecal matter of pups is is composed primarily of rodent hair. Plant food include the fruits of ber, neem, mango, jambu, and banyan trees. /=\

Common prey includes orthopterans, termites, ants, beetle grubs, spiders, soft-furred rats, little Indian field mice, Indian gerbils, Indian mynahs, grey partridges, and ashy-crowned finch larks. Among the less common prey items are ground lizards, rat snakes, hedgehogs and Indian hares.

Bengal Fox Mating and Reproduction

Bengal fox pups

Bengal foxes are monogamous (have one mate at a time) and iteroparous (offspring are produced in groups such as litters multiple times in successive annual or seasonal cycles). They engage in seasonal breeding. Bengal foxes breed once annually. Breeding occurs from December to January.The number of offspring ranges from two to six, with the average number of offspring being four. [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Bengal foxes are believed to live in long-term monogamous pairs, but this supposition is based on little evidence. During the breeding season, males vocalize intensely during the night and at dusk and dawn.

Bengal foxes remain near dens during the period from February to June, when they are raising pups. They breed from December to January with an average litter size of two. Birth occur from January to March. The breeding season is announced by re-excavation of old dens or the digging of new dens. Bengal foxes have also been known to appropriate gerbil burrows and show significant site fidelity, with dens being used year after year. /=\

Bengal Fox Offspring and Parenting

The Bengal fox gestation period ranges from 50 to 53 days. The average weaning age is three weeks and the average time to independence is four months. Females and males reach sexual or reproductive maturity at one to two years, [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

Bengal foxes are altricial. This means that young are born relatively underdeveloped and are unable to feed or care for themselves or move independently for a period of time after birth. /=\ Pre-birth, pre-weaning, pre-independence provisioning is done by males and females and protecting is done by males.

The parenting behavior of Bengal foxes has been little studied but it is believed that both female and male foxes participate in raising offspring. According to Animal Diversity Web: Males have been reported to hunt in order to provide food to females and offspring during the pup rearing phase. Both males and females are responsible for guarding dens. There have been no observations of helpers in the pup rearing phase. Dens with young are rarely left unguarded for the first two months after their birth, parents take turns foraging. The young are care for four to five months after their birth, at which point they disperse. Dispersal often coincides with the beginning of the monsoon season, a season of plentiful prey abundance.

Bengal Foxes, Humans and Conservation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies Bengal foxes as a species of “Least Concern”. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they have no special status. [Source: Pamela Meadors, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]

The body parts of Bengal foxes are source of material used by humans. There is no formal trade for fur as it is seen as low quality, however local trade does exist for claws, skin, tails, and teeth for potential medicinal purposes or as charms. Bengal foxes may help to control populations of agricultural pests, such as orthopterans and small rodents. Currently, no evidence suggests Bengal foxes are harmful to human populations. While these foxes inhabit agricultural areas, there are no reports of them raiding poultry or attacking sheep. They have been reported to carry rabies, distemper, and heartworm.

Data suggest declining numbers in Bengal foxes populations, but population estimates are difficult to make. The main threats to Bengal foxes are are habitat loss and degradation, hunting by humans, roadkills, and changes in native species dynamics due to pathogens or parasites. The Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972 as amended up to 1991) prohibits hunting of all wildlife and lists the Bengal fox in Schedule II. Currently no active conservation efforts are in place to help these animals. Bengal foxes are held in captivity in several places, where they seem to do well. In 2001, there were 15 males, 14 females, and 11 unsexed individuals in several zoos. /=\

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.

Last updated January 2025