​red fox | Vulpes vulpes

Red fox is the most widely distributed wild canid in the world. In India, there are three sub-species of red fox. Two of these, Vulpes vulpes montana and Vulpes vulpes griffithii are found in the Himalayas and Trans-Himalayan region of India. The assessment made here is for both these sub-species, combined.  

Population Trend: decreasing
IUCN • least concern
CITES • appendix III
WLPA • schedule II

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• Habitats ​• 

HIGH ALTITUDE MOUNTAINS

HIGH ALTITUDE PLAINS

OPEN DRY HABITATS

ALPINE MEADOWS

AGRICULTURE FIELDS

HIGH ALTITUDE PLANTATIONS

RURAL SETTLEMENTS

TEMPERATE FORESTS

ALPINE SCRUB HABITATS

ROCKY OUTCROPS

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• Distribution • 

Red fox presence records in each sub-district (taluk/tehsil).
Number of records: 1 (yellow) to 91 (dark red)

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• Score card •

Conservation score: 69 | Grade: B

Red foxes may be widely distributed within their range in India, but local populations may be declining. Major threats they face include habitat loss and negative interactions with free-ranging/domestic dogs.

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IMAGE CREDITS | COVER IMAGE: ISMAIL SHARIFF | PROFILE: HUSSAIN RESHAMWALA