Cape+Fox

Cape Fox By Jordan Springer The Cape fox, also known as the Silver-Backed Jackal, Silver Fox, or Kama Fox, is a small yet interesting member of the canine family. As its name would suggest, the fur on its back is a silvery gray, while its underside and legs are an orangey- red color. This same color is featured on the animal’s face, and the Cape fox has dark fur around its mouth. In addition to the silver back, one of the Cape fox’s most recognizable features is its tail, which is long, bushy, and tipped with black. The tail also has a lighter base of a tan color. There are also small patches of white hair on the cheeks of the animal. Another noticeable feature is the large, reddish ears that also feature a light, white coloration.

For the most part, Cape foxes are solitary. They only live with another animal during the breeding season, forming pairs of one male and one female. Gestation lasts around 52 days, and although the time when the pups are born depends on the region, most litters are born around August. A litter can consist of two to six pups, which are born in a den burrowed in a hidden location. Although both parents care for the young, the female does more than the male. At 16 weeks, the pups begin to hunt without the parents, at about five months they become independent, and at nine months the pups reach sexual maturity.

As the animal’s name says, the Cape fox lives in the Cape region of South Africa. However, this is not the only place where it resides. The Cape fox occupies much of the western and southern regions of southern Africa. In particular, the fox exists in Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. As far as habitat goes, the Cape fox is similar to many African foxes and arid climates. This fox is typically found in savannahs or lightly wooded areas. It can also thrive in agricultural areas, where it hides in vegetation during the day. The Cape fox is nocturnal and hunts during the day. It mostly eats small rodents and insects, with the odd larger animal or carrion. Preyed on by big cats, the Cape fox also falls victim to humans. Considered vermin because of its extremely rare habit of killing newborn lambs, they can be killed by farmers. It is also sometimes hit by cars on roads at night and caught in traps intended for other animals. Despite this, the Cape fox is not in any imminent danger.