The Fantastic Fox
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By Adelle Havard
In myth, the fox is better known for its cunning rather than its courage. Becoming a symbol of trickery, deceit and even having its name attributed to false prophets in the bible.
Yet the bad press received is counter to the foxes natural strengths and abilities! Living on a diet of scavenged scraps while always remaining one step ahead of its many predators, are just two examples of this animals ability to adapt, and above all, survive.
A member of the canine family, it is understandable to see how the fox has been able to colonise in so many parts of the world. As a relation of dogs, wolves and coyotes, this animal naturally sits on the boundaries of civilization. However this domestication has meant that while some species have thrived in the urban jungle, others have not.
This species success story is therefore best seen out of the cities, and into the remote habitats where the variations in their biology can really be seen/appreciated. Although you may have to look hard, as these ‘true foxes’ of the deserts, mountains, tundra’s and frozen worlds are kings of being coy.
Of the 37 species referred to as foxes, only 12 actually belong to the Vulpes genus of true foxes; and one that fits into this category but also that of its own genus, is the Arctic fox. Surviving in a subzero temperatures, this compact fox has evolved to have short ears, short legs, and incredibly dense fur. This canine’s unique physical development does not stop there. With its footpads also covered with thick hair, it enables this small creature to hunt all year round, by protecting it from the severe cold and even providing traction on ice.
Moving further along the evolutionary scale, the compact body and dense fur can be seen again but in a very different environment. The Tibetan fox is characterized by its soft, thick red fur and long bushy tail with white tip. Which is essential for battling against the fierce Tibetan winds that come from both the barren grasslands and rocky mountainous areas, that sees temperatures drop to -30C! Not an easy life, even out of the arctic.
The story continues on the BBC Earth blog.
