Taxon name
Vulpes bengalensis
(Shaw, 1800)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Vulpes bengalensis
(Shaw, 1800)
Common name(s)
Bengal Fox, Khek Shial, Kheki
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Mammals
Species authority
(Shaw, 1800)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
Canis bengalensis Shaw, 1800; Canis kokree Sykes, 1831; Canis indicus Hodgson, 1833; Vulpes hodgsonii Gray, 1837
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
Bangladesh
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
M. Monirul H. Khan
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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/
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
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).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes, in the publication/on website
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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.
History
Vulnerable in Bangladesh (IUCN Bangladesh 2000).
Publication
IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 2: Mammals. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+232
