Vulpes bengalensis the Bengal Fox
Figure 1: Vulpes bengalensis (Bengal Fox).
The Bengal fox (Vulpes bengalensis), also known as the Indian fox is anatomically regarded to as a typical vulpine fox. This fox is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and inhabits the semiarid scrub and grasslands, from the Himalayan foothills and Terai of Nepal through Southern India and from Southern and Eastern Pakistan to East India and South East Bangladesh (Macdonald, 2009; Vanak, 2005).
V. bengalensis has an omnivorous diet
consisting of small mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and fruit (Vanak, 2005). As
the fox’s main habitat is dry scrub and grasslands, this allows them to be more
opportunistic giving them an advantage in harsh environmental conditions.
The ears of this fox are noticeably large when compared to their body size. This is a possible adaptation to help the fox thermoregulate, in their hot arid environment. It is possible that this is accomplished in the same way as African elephants. Hot blood in the arteries is cooled as it is filtered through the network of capillaries and veins within the ears. Thus, the body temperature is regulated with the cooled blood returning to the main body (Weissenböck et al. 2010).
These are some simple and possible adaptations of the Bengal fox (V. bengalensis). These adaptations have evolved to give this fox the most advantage in its surrounding environment, habitat and climatic conditions. While further studies are required to better, understand the ecology and evolution of this species, which although not necessarily threatened, is under considerable pressure from human activities in parts of its range (Vanak, 2005).
Nice post, what sort of human activities put pressure on the bengal fox?
ReplyDeleteLarge undisturbed semi-arid grassland habitats are now rare throughout this foxes habitat. As most of it has been extensively converted for agricultural land industrial purposes and heavily degraded due to live-stock grazing (Vanak & Gommper, 2009). Also, as most other foxes, they are hunted for their pelts to be used for multiple reasons by humans
DeleteIt’s an interesting looking animal – seems quite stocky from the photo. It’s interesting that you mention its large ears. You’ve spoken about other arid-adapted species, so how are the Bengal fox’s ears really that special in comparison?
ReplyDeleteThe Bengal fox tends to alter their active periods from daytime to crepuscular and nocturnal habits. Therefore, spending more time out of their dens during the warmer hours of the day when compared to other species that inhabit other arid environments. Thus, being able to thermoregulate through their ears would be an advantage in such a harsh environment. However, there is no definitive proof that this is an adaptation that this fox really has, it is only a suggestion of how this fox is able to thermoregulate.
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