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The Cape fox is the smallest canid found in South Africa and ventures out at night when it is cooler to feed. They are omnivorous and opportunistic hunters, feeding mainly on small mammals, reptiles, and insects, but will also indulge in fruit, birds, and carrion. Usually Cape foxes are hunted at night and form part of a larger game hunting package.
The Cape Fox (Vulpes chama), also known as the silver-backed fox, is the only true fox with its natural habitat in South Africa and is found in the grassy plains, savannahs, and semi-arid plains of southern Africa. The Cape Fox has established itself throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. They are found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa, as well as Lesotho. It likes open countryside, with vegetation including scattered scrubs and thickets.
The Cape Fox is nocturnal and is most active at dusk and just before dawn. It spends the hot days hiding underground in burrows or holes, keeping safe and cool. The Cape fox digs its burrows but also uses other animals’ burrows, such as springhares.
Although Cape foxes do mate for life, it is a solitary animal that will spend most of their time without their partners. They forage and hunt separately and spend much of their time alone. Cape Foxes communicate using many whines, chirps, and calls, while a surprise will merit a louder yelp or bark. Cape foxes are generally not aggressive, but when provoked they will spit and growl at their attacker.
Cape foxes breed throughout the year, with 3-6 cubs born between October to January, after a gestation period between 51-53 days. For the first two weeks after birth, the male will be responsible for female’s food requirements as she cares for their young. Both parents are hands-on when it comes to feeding, protecting, and rearing their offspring.
Predators known for hunting the Cape fox in Africa include leopards, hyenas, lions, caracals, hawks, and owls. Humans are their biggest threat as they are regarded as pests and often caught in traps for other animals.
Name:
Vulpes Chama
Weight:
7.7 pounds
Shoulder Height:
11-14 inches
Range:
Southern Africa
Mating Season:
All year
Cape Fox Hunting is Done Using Opportunistic, Tracking and Stalking, Predator Calls and Spotlighting Methods.
The Cape Fox is small, with large pointed ears and silver-grey fur. They have a darker colouring around the mouth. These foxes are swift and agile, with a bushy tail to assist them in running and dodging predators. They stand 13-14 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 7.7 pounds.
Cape foxes are hunted as a specialty species or a trophy of opportunity. Classified as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN, a Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) hunting permit is required to hunt a Cape fox in South Africa. Targeting Cape foxes on a game hunting safari is always an exciting hunting adventure, as most hunting is done at night, which is always more exhilarating than any daytime hunt! There are four ways to hunt a Cape Fox: Opportunistic Hunting Tracking and stalking Spotlights Predator-calling Sometimes the hunting safari just happens to be at the right spot, at the right time! It’s not called opportunistic hunting for nothing and is always completed with a great sense of achievement! Walk and stalk hunts are precise and worthy of a trophy, while predator-calling hunts are quite effective, although you may find a different animal coming into range! The most popular – and fun – method of Cape fox hunting in Africa is using spotlights. Not only is it the most fun, but also yields the best game hunting results, as they are most active just after dusk and before dawn.
From opportunistic hunts to hunting adventures at night with spotlights, the hunt for Cape fox specialty trophy is worth adding to your hunting safari list. They may be small in stature, but they will make a remarkable addition to any trophy room.
To hunt the cape fox, a small caliber rifle equipped with good optics is required. Calibers from .223 to .250 centrefire rifles are the most suitable.
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