These small foxes emit a loud "wow" call, ending in two yaps. They have been hunted indiscriminantly as vermin over the last 100 years.

Life span
Unknown.

Statistics
Body length: 40-52cm, Tail length: 25-35cm, Standing height: 25-30cm, Weight: 2-3kg.

Physical description
Sand foxes have pale brown fur, with a white tip on the tail, and a black spot in front of the eyes.

Distribution
They are found in N. Africa, Iran and Afghanistan as far as Pakistan.

Habitat
They live in stony deserts and arid regions, from steppes to thorn bush savannahs and lightly wooded areas.

Diet
Sand foxes feed on insects, small mammals, carrion and fruits.

Behaviour
They live in pairs or small social groups. Pairs live in dens, but they move on after about a week. The size of territories can vary, but one pair can have a territory as large as 50 square metres. Sand foxes are nocturnal.

Reproduction
Females have a gestation period of 51-53 days, after which they give birth to 3-6 cubs, which weigh 50-100g.

Conservation status
The 2000 IUCN Red List classify sand foxes as Data Deficient.