A fox is not taken twice in the same snare - Arabic proverb - لا يصطاد الثعلب مرتين من نفس الشرك (لا يلدغ المؤمن مرتين)
Imagine wandering through the vast Arabian Desert, where the wind sculpts endless dunes and silence reigns supreme. As twilight deepens, the golden sands take on an ethereal glow, and the desert comes alive with creatures adapted to its extremes. Then, almost as if conjured from the shifting shadows, a flash of russet fur darts between the dunes. You catch a glimpse of a pair of watchful eyes, glowing amber in the moonlight, before the creature melts back into the night. This is the Arabian red fox (Vulpes vulpes arabica), an elusive and masterfully adapted predator of the desert.
A Creature Perfectly Designed for the Desert
The Arabian red fox is a subspecies of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), distinguished by its smaller size, slender frame, and unique adaptations to life in the arid landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula. It inhabits a range of desert environments, from sandy dunes to rocky plateaus, and often lingers near human settlements, where it opportunistically scavenges for food.One of the most striking features of the Arabian red fox is its large, pointed ears, which serve a dual purpose: enhancing its acute sense of hearing and dissipating excess body heat—a crucial adaptation in a landscape where daytime temperatures can soar beyond 50°C. Another remarkable adaptation is the dense fur covering its paws, which functions like built-in sandals, protecting the fox from the scorching desert sands and providing traction on loose terrain.
A Versatile and Opportunistic Diet
As an omnivore, the Arabian red fox has a highly adaptable diet, enabling it to survive in an environment where food is scarce. Scientific studies have shown that its diet primarily consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, supplemented by fruits and plant matter when available. It is also known to scavenge, making use of food waste left behind by humans. This dietary flexibility is key to its survival, allowing it to thrive where other predators struggle.
Recent studies in Saudi Arabia reveal that the Arabian red fox’s diet varies seasonally. Insects and scorpions dominate the summer diet, while mammals such as jerboas, hedgehogs, and hares become primary food sources in winter and spring, aligning with the fox’s reproductive energy needs. The fox also consumes reptiles like geckos and snakes when available (Mohammad & Basuony, 2016).
A detailed analysis of fox stomach contents in northern Saudi Arabia showed that mammals comprised nearly 47% of their diet, with domestic sheep and camels appearing frequently, indicating a strong reliance on scavenging. Insects, particularly cockroaches, locusts, and dung beetles, made up a significant portion, reinforcing the fox’s opportunistic feeding strategy. Interestingly, plant matter, including dates and cultivated vegetables, was also consumed seasonally (Mohammad & Basuony, 2016).
In regions near human settlements, foxes frequently scavenge discarded food, including cooked rice and vegetables. Alarmingly, they have been found to ingest plastic, aluminum foil, and other non-food waste, reflecting the impact of human pollution on desert wildlife. Their presence near urban areas highlights both their adaptability and the growing challenge of human-wildlife interaction.
Predation on Sea Turtles: A Coastal Adaptation
Beyond the desert, the Arabian red fox has also been observed along coastal environments, where it plays a unique role in predator-prey dynamics. Studies at Ras Al Hadd, Oman, have shown that foxes actively hunt green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings and raid nests for eggs, making up nearly 95% of their diet in that region. Their predation influences turtle nesting behavior, causing females to seek more secure locations closer to the shoreline to minimize risk. This remarkable adaptation highlights the fox's ability to exploit diverse ecosystems, from the heart of the desert to the shores of the Arabian Peninsula.
The presence of Arabian red foxes on turtle-nesting beaches demonstrates their ability to shift feeding habits based on resource availability. Their diet in these coastal environments is drastically different from inland foxes, further emphasizing their extreme adaptability. This shift in diet has implications for conservation efforts, as it poses challenges for sea turtle population recovery in affected regions.
Nocturnal Habits and Elusive Nature
Primarily nocturnal, the Arabian red fox avoids the searing heat of the day by retreating to its burrow, usually dug into sandy or rocky terrain. At night, it emerges to hunt, using its keen senses to detect prey moving under the cover of darkness. Foxes are solitary by nature, coming together only during the mating season between December and February. A female typically gives birth to a litter of 2-5 kits, which remain with her for about six months before venturing off independently.
Conservation and Threats
Although the Arabian red fox is classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it faces growing threats from habitat destruction and human encroachment. Urban expansion and infrastructure projects are reducing its natural habitat, while road mortality and persecution by farmers—who sometimes view foxes as threats to livestock—also pose risks. Conservation initiatives aimed at preserving desert ecosystems are essential to ensuring the survival of this remarkable species.
Where to see the Arabian red fox in the UAE and Dubai?
Due to its high adaptability, the Arabian red fox can be found across various ecosystems in the UAE, from coastal areas and mangroves to mountains and deserts. For wildlife enthusiasts hoping to spot one in its natural habitat, some of my favourite locations include:
- Al Qudra – A vast desert region with artificial lakes that attract a variety of wildlife, including foxes, especially during the cooler hours of the evening.
- Fossil Rock – This rocky desert area near Mleiha provides an excellent habitat for foxes, with caves and crevices offering shelter.
- Nazwa Qarn – A lesser-known wildlife hotspot.
- Fossil Rock – This rocky desert area near Mleiha provides an excellent habitat for foxes, with caves and crevices offering shelter.
- Nazwa Qarn – A lesser-known wildlife hotspot.
- Mohammad, W. F., Basuony, M. I. (2016). 'Food composition and feeding ecology of the Arabian Red Fox Vulpes vulpes arabica Thomas 1902 in Sakaka northern Saudi Arabia.', Journal of Bioscience and Applied Research
- Mendonca, Vanda & Saady, S.M. & Kiyumi, A.A. & Erzini, Karim. (2010). Interactions between Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica, V. rueppellii sabaea, and V. cana) on Turtle Nesting Grounds in the Northwestern Indian Ocean: Impacts of the Fox Community on the Behavior of Nesting Sea Turtles at the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Oman.
- Mendonca, Vanda & Saady, S.M. & Kiyumi, A.A. & Erzini, Karim. (2010). Interactions between Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Foxes (Vulpes vulpes arabica, V. rueppellii sabaea, and V. cana) on Turtle Nesting Grounds in the Northwestern Indian Ocean: Impacts of the Fox Community on the Behavior of Nesting Sea Turtles at the Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Oman.