Fox Meets Rock

There are variations on the saying, but all capture the mysteriousness, wisdom and gracefulness of the fox. 

Featured in stories, fables, and sayings from the region and beyond — this noble animal that is blessed with sly intelligence and cunning —recently graced Ithra with a stealthy visit.

A beloved sighting in Aramco’s communities and at home in many of the company’s Biodiversity Protection Areas throughout the Kingdom, the Arabian Red Fox is a protected animal by law and hurting it is illegal and heavily fined. These agile quick foxes can run at speeds up to 42 km/h, and bring joy to residents whenever they happen to see one or two wander about the area in search of food. 
Known in Arabic as Al Tha’leb Al Ahmar, or Vulpes vulpes arabica in Latin — the Arabian Red Fox is the smallest subspecies of red foxes, can weigh as little as two kilograms, are pale brown in color, but can be darker if the sands are darker, as their color helps them adapt to their desert surroundings.

They are also social creatures and are known to be playful and mischievous. 

Contrary to common beliefs, foxes and cats avoid conflict, often by simply avoiding or getting out of each other’s way. Smaller mammals like rodents, may not be as lucky. 

These foxes have fur on the pads of their feet that helps distribute their weight, allowing them to move more easily on the shifting sands as well as protecting them from the hot surface. Their large ears act as heat exchangers, keeping them cool while helping them hear the tiniest of prey and locate them. 

As with all animals, they play an important role in balancing the ecosystem, and their adaptability to eat a wide variety of food, from fruits to insects and small animals, helps them survive the harsh terrains and limited natural sites (as many habitats have been taken over by construction and modernization).

Loyal to one mate for life and forming close family units, these clever foxes continue to outsmart and beguile human communities, their presence immortalized in myths and legends for generations to come with few of us ever able to ‘outfox’ the fox.