Cape Fox - SA's true fox

Afrikaans name: Silwervos

The Cape Fox is a beautiful mammal

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

Vulpes chama

Interesting facts about Cape Foxes

The Cape Fox is the only true fox found in southern Africa. They prefer habitats that are open such as grasslands and semi-deserts.

They eat a variety of foods including insects, rodents, small reptiles and fruit.

The Cape Fox is a nocturnal creature but they may be seen in the late afternoon or early morning.

A pair forms a lifelong bond and raise their pups together. Sometimes family groups may merge, particularly when there is food around.

Although the Cape Fox is known to sometimes kill young lambs they do not pose too much of a problem to livestock.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 200

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 26

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 71

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 320

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 138

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 68

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 320

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 92

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 48

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 49

Predators of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Grobler, Hall-Martin & Walker - Published: 2012 - Page: 22

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 38

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 15

Maberly s Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 117

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 109

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 417

Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 54

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 122

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 224

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 244

Chris and Tilde Stuart s Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Ed - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 122

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 49

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 70

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 43

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 171

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 307

Biodiversity Explorer

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List of South African Mammals