Tibetan fox (Vulpes ferrilata)

Tibetan foxes are a small species of true fox that live high up on the remote Tibetan plain. Their unusual square faces make them instantly recognisable.

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About the Tibetan fox

The Tibetan Sand Fox (Vulpes ferrilata) is a species of true fox endemic to the high Tibetan Plateau in Nepal, China, and India, up to altitudes of about 5300 m. It is sometimes referred to as the Tibetan Fox, or simply as the Sand Fox, but this terminology is confusing because the Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac), which lives in arid environments north and west of the Tibetan Plateau, is often called the "Sand Fox" or "Tibetan Fox" as well. Rüppell's Fox (Vulpes rueppellii) is also known as the "Sand Fox".

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Scientific Classification

Class: Mammal (Mammalia)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus: Vulpes

Species: Tibetan Sand Fox (ferrilata)

Other Vulpes

Common Names

  • Sand fox
  • Tibetan sand fox

Where can I see them?

Map showing the distribution of the Tibetan fox species

This region contains the following habitats:

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder

Conservation Status

The Tibetan fox is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Unknown

Year assessed: 2008

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