Vulpes Foxes in GURPS
Vulpes sp.
There are many foxes in the genus Vulpes. They are all agile omnivores, feeding on insects, small animals, eggs, grasses, fruit, grain, and carrion. These foxes typically live in mated pairs with this year's offspring. Foxes are renowned for their cunning, and indeed are stealthy and adaptable. They are exellent jumpers, swimmers, and are even capable of climbing (unlike most other dogs).
- The red fox Vulpes vulpes is the most well known fox. As its name implies, many have red-orange fur, but others can range in color from grey to silver, black, brown, or others, often with a darker stripe along the spine. They have a distinctive musky odor, and can use their musk to mark territory or leave "stink bombs" when upset or frightened. They are adaptable, and can live alongside of humans even in the face of intense persecution. Red foxes were originally found across all of Eurasia, Arabia, and Medeteranean Africa, but were introduced by man into North America and Australia where their populations have expanded almost explosively. Eurasian foxes tend to be much larger than those in America, around 8 to 10 kg in Eurasia versus 2.5 to 3 kg in America.
- Arctic foxes Vulpes lagopus are perhaps the most well known of this group of foxes after the red fox. They live in the arctic tundra region throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are, naturally, well adapted to arctic conditions. These foxes have masses ranging from 3 to 9 kg for males and 1.5 to 3 kg for females.
- Swift foxes Vulpes velox are from the great plains of North America, and live in short-grass prairies and deserts. They are highly dependent on their den for protection from predators. Dens are dug in sandy soil on prairie, in fields, or along fence lines. Swift foxes tend to have masses of around 2.5 to 3 kg.
- Kit foxes Vulpes macrotis live in the American Southwest. They mass about 2 to 2.5 kg.
- Corsac foxes Vulpes corsac are found in central Asia and the Tibettan Plateau. Their mass is about 1.5 to 3 kg.
- Cape foxes Vulpes chama live in Africa's Cape region. They have a mass of 3.5 to 5 kg.
- The pale fox Vulpes pallida is a poorly studied animal from Africa's Sahel region. It lives in burrows that can be up to 15 meters long and up to 2 meters deep.
- The Bengal fox Vulpes bengalensis lives in India. Masses range from 2.5 to 4 kg.
- Tibetan sand foxes Vulpes ferrilata live on the Tibetan Plateau. They are the most carnivorous of the foxes. Their mass is typically around 4.5 to 5 kg.
- Blanford's fox Vulpes cana is found in Iran, Afganistan, Pakistan, Arabia, Egypt, and Israel. Its mass ranges from 2 to 3.5 kg.
- Rueppell's fox Vulpes rueppellii is found across the Sahara and Sahel into Arabia and across to Iran, Afganistan, and Pakistan. It has an average mass of 1.7 kg. This species probably has Terrain Adaptation (sand). Their large ears help them dissipate heat in the hot desert environment.
- Fennec foxes Vulpes zerda are found across the Sahara and into the Sinai. They are small foxes, massing about 0.7 to 1.5 kg, making them the smallest species of dog in the world. They have huge ears that help them cool off in the desert heat. Fennecs do not need to drink, meeting their water needs through their food and perhaps from dew that collects in their burrows, but will drink if water is available. They have excellent hearing and are adapted to live on sand - in game terms, two levels of Acute Hearing and Terrain Adaptation (sand) are added to their template. Fennec burrows are huge, rambling constructions with up to 15 entrances ranging over a hectare of land. Fennecs have become popular exotic pets.
Back to Canids