Himalayan Red Fox

Himalayan Red Fox Latest News

A brief roadside encounter with a Himalayan red fox near Pangong Tso in Ladakh has captivated social media users recently, but the viral clip has also prompted a cautionary note from wildlife officials about the hidden risks of human interference.

About Himalayan Red Fox

• The Himalayan Red Fox, a subspecies of the widespread red fox (Vulpes vulpes), is one of the most adaptable predators of the high-altitude landscapes. 
• Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes montana

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Himalayan Red Fox Distribution

• It is native to the Himalayan mountain range in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
• It has a wide distribution in the Indian Himalayan region, including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Himalayan Red Fox Habitat

• Highly adaptable, the red fox inhabits altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 meters.
• They are known to occupy a variety of habitats, including alpine meadows, grasslands, forests, and agricultural lands.

Himalayan Red Fox Features

• It is a medium-sized mammal, with a body length of 50-90 cm and a tail length of 30-45 cm. 
• Adults typically weigh between 4-7 kg, with males being slightly larger and heavier than females.
• The coat of the Himalayan red fox is typically rusty-red in color, with white underparts and a distinctive white-tipped tail. 
• The fur is dense and insulating, providing protection against the harsh, cold weather.
• It is an agile and fast runner, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 km/hr. 
• They are also good climbers and swimmers.
• It is a solitary and nocturnal animal.
• An opportunistic feeder, its diet includes rodents, birds, insects, fruits, and even carrion.

Himalayan Red Fox Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

Key Facts about Pangong Tso

• Pangong Tso, or Pangong Lake, is a long, narrow, endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at a height of more than 14,000 ft (4,350 meters) in the Ladakh Himalayas.
• The lake is 5 kilometers wide and 134 kilometers long, with one-third of it lying in India & the other two-thirds in China. 
• It is the world’s highest saltwater lake.
• The lake is also very deep and reaches a maximum depth of almost 328 feet.
• It is also known to change colors, appearing blue, green, and red at different times.

Source: ETVB