Vulpes bengalensis | Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals

Taxa
Vulpes bengalensis | (Shaw, 1800)
Publication
Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals
NRL Record ID
327622
Location
Countries in Assessment
Bangladesh
Country ISO code(s)
BGD
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
RRL Synonyms
Canis bengalensis Shaw, 1800; Canis kokree Sykes, 1831; Canis indicus Hodgson, 1833; Vulpes hodgsonii Gray, 1837
Taxonomic Group
Vertebrates
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Mammals
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal to the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. It is native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan (Johnsingh and Jhala 2008). Uncommon resident of Bangladesh, which is currently distributed in the western part of the country (west side of the river Jamuna except the Sundarbans), but a small population occurs in the bordering area of Moulvibazar. In the past, it used to be present along the coastal areas of Comilla and Chittagong revenue divisions, even up to 1980s. (Khan 1996).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is found mostly in family groups. Basically nocturnal but also active during the day, especially throughout monsoon period when sky is overcast. It hunts small mammals (especially rodents), reptiles, insects and crabs occasionally supplemented by sweet fruits. It lives in complex underground burrow network during the day. Usually four young are born inside the burrow during February-April (Kabir 2008). It prefers semi-arid, flat to undulating terrain, scrub, foothills and grassland habitats where it is easy to hunt and dig dens. It avoids dense forests, steep terrain, tall grasslands and true deserts.
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes, in the publication/on website
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Vulnerable
Assessment status abreviation
VU
Assessment rationale/justification
This species is uncommon and now restricted mainly to the northwestern part of Bangladesh, and a small population in the border of Moulvibazar. The frequencies of sighting (index of relative abundance) has declined in the past and is being declining ever more rapidly due to retribution killing by villagers. It used to occur widely in Bangladesh but that range has now become quite restricted. So the Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy have declined. Therefore, it qualifies for Vulnerable category.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2015
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
M. Monirul H. Khan
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
NGO
Academic
Assessor affiliation specific
Academic|NGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN (2012) IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp; IUCN (2012) Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication
http://iucnredlistbd.org/
Endemism
Endemic to region
No
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: No
Conservation
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
Vulnerable in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000).
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Vulpes bengalensis Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Canidae Vulpes