page_title: Turkmenian fox
section_title: Physical description
hierarchical_section_title: Turkmenian fox / Physical description
caption_attribution_description: English: An illustration of a Turkmenian fox
context_page_description: The Turkmenian fox, also known as the Persian fox, is an Asiatic subspecies of red fox distinguished by its very small size and primitive cranial features. It inhabits the Middle Asian plains, approximately south of latitude of Ustyurt and the Aral Sea, as well as contiguous parts of Iran and Afghanistan.
context_section_description: Compared to its northern cousins, the skull of the Turkmenian fox has a relatively large cranium with a weakly developed sagittal crest. Overall, the skull is much more paedomorphic than that of northern foxes. It is the smallest subspecies of red fox inhabiting Eurasia; adults attain a body length of 49–57.5 centimetres (19.3–22.6 in), a tail length of 33.5–39.5 cm (13.2–15.6 in), an ear length of 7.7–10 cm (3.0–3.9 in) and a weight of 2.2–3.2 kilograms (4.9–7.1 lb).
  Unlike most other red fox subspecies, the Turkmenian fox either completely lacks reddish colour tones, or has in their place only light, sandy yellow tones. Generally, dull-yellowish or grey tones predominate. The head is sandy or yellowish-creamy in colour, with a whitish muzzle. A dark grey, reddish-brown or blackish-brown band is present in front of the eyes. The outer surface of the ears are either pure black or brownish-black. A cross-like figure is formed by overlapping yellow or brownish tones on the upper neck, back and shoulders. The flanks are usually grey, and are typically more brightly coloured than the back. The throat, chest and belly are whitish or grey. The feet are grey with dark stripes. It is not overly exploited by the fur trade, its fur being ten times cheaper than that of northern foxes.
caption: Illustration from Mivart's A monograph of the Canidæ
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