As the name implies, this type of foxes living in Tibet and its adjacent mountain areas.This is one of the smallest mammals of the same name kind of leading a secretive life.In addition, Tibetan fox - a predatory animals.Examples of life of these creatures we consider in this article.
How do they look?
Tibetan fox (photo given in the article) belongs to a small fox species.Her little body is completely covered with thick hair, and the bottom has a dense underfur, protect animals from high winds.The muzzle of Tibetan foxes have somewhat different from their muzzles relatives: it is more pointed and pulled forward.Thick fur, concentrated around the neck, make a few square muzzle foxes.Her Ears - small, but sharp, and eyes - narrow.
teeth of these animals very well developed, and fangs - extremely long and large, much larger than the other foxes.Color fur varies from gray-red to beige.The tail ends with a light brush.Often the sides of these animals rusty brown color can be replaced by a gray bottom.This, in turn, creates the illusion of a certain band on the sides of the body fox.The body length of an adult ranges from 58 to 72 centimeters.At the same time its tail falls from 30 to 46 centimeters.It weighs adult Tibetan fox to 5.5 kilograms.
Where do they live?
As the name suggests these animals, they are found mainly in Tibet, namely - in the semi-deserts and steppes of the Tibetan plateau.However, these mammals can be found on the north-west of India, and in some Chinese provinces and in Nepal.Scientists watching the Tibetan foxes in 2008, reported that these animals have been found at altitudes of more than 5 kilometers above sea level.This, of course, somewhat surprised scientists, because we know that to meet these predators in areas where the absence of their favorite food, is virtually impossible.A favorite food of Tibetan foxes are pikas.
What do they eat?
As noted above, the main diet of the fox - pikas or senostavki - are representatives of the order Lagomorpha.Only, unlike hares, pikas have very short ears, and front and rear legs have almost the same length.Externally, these creatures like hamsters and mice, but their relatives still are not rodents and rabbits.During his habit to store hay for the winter, and these creatures were dubbed senostavkami.It is worth noting that not only feed on pikas Tibetan fox and other predators (examples of other predators in this article are not considered).
also diet Tibetan foxes are a variety of small rodents (voles, squirrels, chipmunks, mice), rabbits and small birds that nest on the ground.They do not disdain and delicious bird eggs.It is worth noting that the predator will never give up any other living creatures (lizards, insects) and immediately will use it in food.So from that point of view, Tibetan fox is omnivorous animals.But with the variety of food pikas - the ultimate dream of these predators.
Their lifestyle
Typical habitats of these animals are natural burrows under rocks or any other secluded places.If asylum seekers have difficulties, foxes dig themselves their own lair.Tibetan fox is secretive way of life, so zoologists little is known about her life.But something still they have established.For example, zoologists know that these creatures are hunted in pairs (male and female), and then divide in half all caught prey.In addition, Tibetan fox - the happy owners of a fairly thin ears, allowing them even at relatively large distances to detect favorite pikas.
sense of smell, these animals are used solely to be guided well in their territory.It is also known that the Tibetan fox does not protect their personal space by other relatives.That is why these animals territoriality is weak.Once scientists in general was found a "harem" of these predators: Tibetan Fox not only lived side by side with each other, but even hunted on common lands.It is interesting that until 2006 they had not been filmed.The reason - the natural giperostorozhnost these animals.They were first photographed by operators in the world famous British broadcasting corporation BBC.
their importance in nature
The benefits of this fox for man and nature, it is difficult to overestimate.Because this predator - a wild animal, the fox plays a huge role in regulating the number of small rodents and other small vertebrates.Zoologists and agronomists do not exclude that Tibetan fox bring substantial benefits to soil, as they aired in the process of digging their hiding places.But that's not all!The fur of the foxes is actively used by residents of various regions of Tibet: hats made out of it, protects against rain and wind.
