Desert Fox and Mange Disease

• 30 Mar 2022

Why in News

Recently a few Desert Foxes were spotted in the scrub forests of Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, suffering from a loss of fur due to the Mange Skin Disease.

• There were 8,331 foxes — both Indian and desert foxes — in the state according to the 2019 wildlife census of Rajasthan.

What is a Desert Fox?

• Common Name: White-footed fox 
• Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes pusilla
• About:
  
  • Desert fox is the third sub-species of red fox in India.
    
    • Other two subspecies are: the Tibetan Red Fox and the Kashmir Red Fox.
  • They can be differentiated from other fox species by their white tail-tip. Beady eyes and a small snout give them an endearing, almost adorable look.
  • Its range does not overlap with that of other red fox sub-species.
• Habitation:
  
  • Desert fox inhabits the dry and semi-arid regions of western and north-western India.
  • Desert foxes occupy less than half of their potential habitats in India.
  • Desert foxes can be found wandering around sand dunes and semi-dried river beds, where they build their dens.
  • They are omnivores consuming almost everything from berries and plants to desert rodents, insects, spiders, small birds, and lizards, like the spiny tail.
• Threat:
  
  • They are threatened by habitat loss, road-related mortality and negative interactions with free-ranging/domestic dogs.
• Protection Status:
  
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • CITES listing: Appendix II
  • India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act: Schedule II

What is Mange?

• Mange is a skin disease of animals caused by mite infestations, characterized by inflammation, itching, thickening of the skin, and hair loss.
• The most severe form of mange is caused by varieties of the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, which also causes human scabies.
• Some form of mange is known in all domestic animals, although many varieties of mange mites infest only one species.
• They are transmitted between animals by direct contact and by objects that have been in contact with infested animals.
• Most forms of mange are treatable.
• When the infected animal scratches and the skin breaks, it lays eggs and multiplies. The affected area becomes scabbed and no hair grows there.

Source: DTE