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| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="IUCN"iucn>{{cite iucn |title=''Vulpes bengalensis'' |author=[[Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala|Jhala]], Y.V. |yeardate=2016 |page=e.T23049A81069636 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T23049A81069636.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Vulpes
| species = bengalensis
| authority = ([[George Shaw (biologist)|Shaw]], 1800)
| synonyms = * ''Canis kokreebengalensis''
* ''Canis rufescenskokree''
* ''Canis indicusrufescens''
* ''VulpesCanis xanthuraindicus''
* ''Canis xanthura''
* ''Vulpes kokree''
* ''Vulpes rufescens''
* ''Vulpes indicus''
* ''Vulpes xanthura''
* ''Fennecus bengalensis''
* ''Fennecus kokree''
* ''Fennecus rufescens''
* ''Fennecus indicus''
* ''Fennecus xanthurus''
| range_map = Vulpes-bengalensis-map.png
| range_map_caption = Range map
}}
 
The '''Bengal fox''' ('''''Vulpes bengalensis'''''), also known as the '''Indian fox''', is a [[fox]] [[endemic]] to the [[Indian subcontinent]] from the [[Himalaya]]n foothills and [[Terai]] of [[Nepal]] through southern [[India]],<ref>{{cite journal|author=Vanak, A.T. |year=2005 |title=Distribution and status of the Indian fox ''Vulpes bengalensis'' in southern India |journal=Canid News |volume=8 |issue=1 |url=http://www.canids.org/canidnews/8/Indian_fox_in_southern_India.pdf}}</ref> and from southern and eastern [[Pakistan]] to eastern [[India]] and southeastern [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Gompper2006">{{cite journal |author1=Gompper, M.E. |author2=Vanak, A.T. |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |title=''Vulpes bengalensis'' |journal= Mammalian Species |volumeissue=795 |pages=1–5 |doi=10.1644/795.1 |url=https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article-pdf/doi/10.1644/795.1/24460822/795.pdf |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Wozencraft |id=14000866 |heading=Species ''Vulpes bengalensis''}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|pages=126–131|title=Dogs, jackals, wolves and foxes: A monograph of the Canidae |author=Mivart, St George |year=1890|publisher=R H Porter |location=London |url=https://archive.org/stream/dogsjackalswolve00mivarich#page/128/mode/2up}}</ref>
 
==Appearance==
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==Distribution and habitat==
[[File:Indian Fox 2 at Rajkot.jpg|left|thumb|Bengal fox at Rajkot]]
The Bengal Fox is endemic to the [[Indian subcontinent]], ranging from the [[Himalayan foothills]] and [[Terai]] of [[Nepal]] through the [[Southern India|South portion]] of the Indian Peninsula (but the western and east Ghats are not included) and from southern and eastern [[Pakistan]] to [[eastern India]] and southeastern [[Bangladesh]]. In Nepal and northeast India, it occurs up to 1,500 meters long. It was not reported from [[Afghanistan]] or [[Iran]] or from the [[Western Ghats]], India.<ref name="IUCN"iucn />
 
Its range is bounded by the [[Himalaya]]s and the [[Indus River]] valley. It favors semiarid, flat to undulating land, bush and short grassland habitats. It avoids dense forests, steep terrain, tall [[grasslands]] and true deserts.<ref name="Gompper2006"/> It is relatively widespread in low rainfall areas where the vegetation is usually scrub, thorn or dry deciduous forests, or short grasslands. In the Indian peninsula, the species is confined to plains and open scrub forests.<ref name="IUCN"iucn/> It was considered to be a habitat [[Generalist and specialist species|generalist]], but it shows a strong preference for semiarid, short grassland habitats at multiple scales.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Vanak, A.T. |author2=Gompper, M. E. |name-list-style=amp |year=2010| title=Multiscale resource selection and spatial ecology of the Indian fox in a human-dominated dry grassland ecosystem| journal= Journal of Zoology|volume=281|issue=2|pages=140–148|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2010.00690.x}}</ref>
 
==Behaviour and ecology==
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Bengal foxes are predominantly [[crepuscular]] and [[nocturnal]]; while individuals may sometimes become active during cool periods of daytime, they typically spend warmer daylight hours under vegetation or in subterranean dens. They use three distinct types of den: basic, compact dens with two openings used for short rest periods, complex dens with multiple openings, and dens under rocks or rock crevices.<ref name="Gompper2006"/> The basic social unit of the Bengal Fox is the breeding pair, formed by a pair of bonds that can last for many years. Larger aggregations may occur while grown pups linger longer than average in the natal community.<ref name="Johnsingh2004">{{Cite book |author=Johnsingh, A.J.T. |author2=[[Yadvendradev Vikramsinh Jhala|Jhala]], Y.V. |publisher=IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group |isbn=978-2-8317-0786-0 |editor-last1=Sillero-Zubiri |editor-first1=Claudio |editor-last2=Hoffmann |editor-first2=Michael |editor-last3=Macdonald |editor-first3=David W. |title=Canids: foxes, wolves, jackals, and dogs |location=Gland |date=2004 |chapter=Indian fox |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708071516/http://canids.org/species/Indian_fox.pdf |archive-date=2006-07-08 |chapter-url=http://canids.org/species/Indian_fox.pdf}}</ref> Other findings indicate that Bengal foxes can sometimes be more social. Female Bengal foxes were reported to share dens during lactation and four adult foxes were seen emerging from the same den.<ref name="Johnsingh1978"/>
 
Bengal foxes are not especially suspicious of humans and can be found near human habitation. They're are easy to tame.<ref name="Sheldon1992"/>
 
=== Diet ===
[[File:Indian Fox in Siruguppa .jpg|thumb|Bengal fox]]▼
Bengal foxes are [[omnivorous]] and opportunistic feeders, feeding primarily on [[insect]]s, small [[mammal]]s, [[reptile]]s, small [[bird]]s, and fruits.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthorsauthor1=Vanak AT, A.T. |author2=Gompper, M.E. ME|year=2009|title= Dietary niche separation between sympatric free-ranging dogs and Indian foxes in central India|journal=Journal J.of Mammalogy Mammal.|volume= 90|issue=5|pages=1058–1065|doi=10.1644/09-mamm-a-107.1|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Johnsingh1978">{{cite journal |author=Johnsingh, A.J.T. |year=1978 |title= Some aspects of the ecology and behaviour of the Indian fox ''Vulpes bengalensis'' Shaw. |journal=Journal J.of the Bombay Nat.Natural Hist.History Society Soc.|volume=75 |pages=397–405}}</ref>
 
Their diet consists mainly of [[orthopteran]]s, [[termite]]s, [[ant]]s, [[beetle]]s, [[spider]]s, [[soft-furred rat]]s (''Millardia meltada''), [[Littlelittle Indian field mouse|little Indian field mice]] (''Mus booduga''), [[Indian gerbil]]s (''Tatera indica''), [[Indian mynah]]s (''Acridotheres tristis''), [[grey partridge]] (''Francolinus ponticerianus''), and [[ashy-crowned finch lark]]s (''Eremopterix griseus''). Less common prey items include ground lizards, oriental rat snakessnake (''[[Ptyas mucosa]]''), hedgehogsMadras hedgehog (''Parantechinus[[Paraechinus nudiventris]]''), and [[Indian hareshare]] (''Lepus nigricollis''). They feed on fruits of ber (''[[Ziziphus mauritiana]]''), neem (''[[Azadirachta indica]]''), mango (''[[Mangifera indica]]''), jambu (''[[Syzygium cumini]]''), and banyan (''[[Ficus benghalensis]]'').<ref name="Meadors2007">{{cite web |last1=Meadors |first1=Pamela |title=Vulpes bengalensis (Bengal fox) |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vulpes_bengalensis |website=Animal Diversity Web |access-date=10 November 2020 |language=en |date=2007}}</ref> The Bengal fox is also considered to be a predator of eggs and possibly [[bustard]] chicks. Scats of young pups indicated that they primarily feed rodents.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Manakadan, R . |author2=Rahmani, A. R. Rahmani |name-list-style=amp |year=2000|title=Population and ecology of the Indian fox ''Vulpes bengalensis'' at Rollapadu wildlifeWildlife sanctuarySanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India |journal=J.Journal of the Bombay Nat.Natural Hist.History Society Soc.|volume=97|issue=1|pages=3–14 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48567490}}</ref>
 
▲[[File:Indian Fox in Siruguppa .jpg|thumb|Bengal fox]]
===Communication===
Bengal foxes make a wide range of vocalizations. A common vocalization is a "chattering cry" that seems to have a significant role in establishing territoriality and may also be used as a warning call.<ref name="Johnsingh2004"/> They also growl, whimper, whine and make a sound which could be called a growl-bark. In reaction to humans, yapping or baying has also been observed.<ref name="Sheldon1992">{{Cite book |publisher=Academic Press, Inc. |isbn=0-12-639375-3 |last=Sheldon |first=Jennifer W. |title=Wild Dogs: the Natural History of the Nondomestic Canidae |location=San Diego |date=1992}}</ref> The Bengal fox does not appear to have [[latrine behaviour]], a feature seen in some social canids, in which all members defecate at specific spots.<ref name="Johnsingh1978"/> They can be heard howling in the night in groups.
 
===Reproduction===
[[File:Bengal Fox Pup.jpg|thumb|left|2-32– weekto old3–week–old pup at the [[Little Rann of Kutch]]; notice the black tail tip]]
Bengal foxes are thought to form long-term monogamous pairs, but this supposition is based on scarce evidence<ref name="Meadors2007"/> and [[extra-pair copulation]]s are known to occur.{{cncitation needed|date=November 2020}} During the breeding season, males vocalize intensely during the night and at dusk and dawn.<ref name="Meadors2007"/> Throughout most of its range, the mating season occurs in December to January and after a [[gestation period]] of around 50–53 days, two to four pups are born in a den. Both parents participate in pup-rearing and protection. Aggregations of grown foxes at den sites have been recorded when the dispersal has been delayed, although the presence of helpers has not been observed.<ref name="Johnsingh1978"/> Pups may sometimes be nursed by multiple females, but the relationship between them is uncertain.<ref name="Johnsingh1978"/>
 
During the day, they tend to rest under shrubs and bushes, except in summer when they rest in dens. Play between pups is typical during the first 3 months and consists of vertical jumps, back arching, foreleg stabs, submissive displays, and play solicitation; the adult male sometimes plays with the young. In northwestern India, young peoplefoxes are scattered during the monsoon season, when the opportunities are plentiful.<ref name="Gompper2006"/> The pups are fully weaned about 3–4 months after emerging from the den. Pup mortality is high during the first few months.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Vanak, A.T. |author2=Gompper, M.E. |name-list-style=amp |year=2007|title= Effectiveness of non-invasive techniques for surveying activity and habitat use of the Bengal fox ''Vulpes bengalensis'' in southern India|journal=Wildlife Biology |volume=13|pages=219–224|doi=10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[219:eontfs]2.0.co;2|s2cid=85247051 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
 
==Threats==
[[File:Vulpes bengalensis fur skin.jpg|thumb|150px|Bengal fox pelt]]
While the Bengal fox is common, it usually occurs at low densities across its range, and populations may experience significant fluctuations due to prey abundance and disease ([[canine distemper]] virus and [[rabies]],<ref>{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1111/tbed.12265| issn = 186516741865-1674| volume = 61| pages = 78–86| last1 = Belsare| first1 = A. V.| last2 = Vanak| first2 = A. T.| last3 = Gompper| first3 = M. E.| title = Epidemiology of Viral Pathogens of Free-Ranging Dogs and Indian Foxes in a Human-Dominated Landscape in Central India| journal = Transboundary and Emerging Diseases| access-date=10 November 2020| date = August 2014| pmid = 25135467| urldoi-access = http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/tbed.12265free}}</ref> which have been confirmed to cause local population declines in western India). Any human disruptions can be tolerated, but with the increase of human populations and the increased growth of grasslands for agricultural and industrial use, the habitat of the Bengal fox is continually being reduced. The combination of the above causes, combined with disease and/or natural mortality, could potentially cause localized extirpation.<ref name="IUCN"iucn />
 
Lack of habitat protection is perhaps the greatest threat to the Bengal fox. For example, in southern India, less than 2% of potential Indian fox habitat is covered under the existing protected area network of the states of [[Karnataka]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]] .<ref>{{cite journal|author=Vanak, A.T.|author2=Irfan-Ullah, M.|author3=Peterson, T.|name-list-style=amp |year=2008|title=Gap analysis of Indian fox conservation using ecological niche modeling|journal=Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society |volume=105|issue=1|pages=49–54 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/48368018#page/53/mode/1up}}</ref> [[Hunting]] for its skin and flesh, as well as conversion of its grassland habitat to agriculture, industry, and increasingly bio-fuel plantations, have affected its population density. In addition, its body parts are used in [[traditional medicine]], and in some areas it is eaten. They are hunted by the ''narikuruva'' tribes of southern India.<ref name="Johnsingh1978"/> In Karnataka, they are captured in rituals conducted during [[Sankranthi]].<ref name="Gompper2006"/>
 
The populations of India are listed in the CITES Appendix III. The Indian Wildlife Conservation Act (1972 as amended to 2005) forbids the hunting of all wildlife and lists the Indian Fox in Schedule II. It does not apply to any particular category in the wildlife protection legislation of Nepal. It is listed as [[Least Concern]] in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.<ref name="IUCN"iucn />
 
== References ==
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==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110104140738/http://www.canids.org/species/Vulpes_bengalensis.htm IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group: Bengal Fox]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/144.shtml BBC -– Science & Nature -– Wildfacts -– Indian fox, Bengal fox]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110104150901/http://www.canids.org/species/Indian_fox.pdf Status of Indian Fox]
 
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q214835}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:fox, Bengal}}
[[Category:Vulpes|Bengal fox]]
[[Category:Mammals of South Asia]]
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[[Category:Mammals described in 1800|Bengal fox]]
[[Category:Taxa named by George Shaw]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Thar Desert]]
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