THE SILVER FOX OR VAAL JAKHALS 
(Vulpes chama) 
Also known as the Cama Fox and Draai Jakhals ; 
Basuto—Mopheme. 
Foxes are members of the carnivorous or flesh- 
eating class of animals, and are close relatives of the 
wolves, jackals, and dogs. Foxes inhabit North 
America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. ‘They are even 
found in the Arctic Regions. 
In South Africa there are two kinds or species. 
One is the beautiful little Silver Fox, otherwise 
known as the Vaal Jakhals. Although generally 
distributed throughout South Africa, it is nowhere 
common. It is confined to Africa south of the 
Zambesi, including Namaqualand and Bechuana- 
land. The Silver Fox is slender and graceful in 
appearance. It is partial to the more open, dry 
districts, and is nocturnal in its habits. During 
the daytime it usually lies hidden in a lair on the 
ground in the midst of a thick bush, tall grass, or 
whatever suitable shelter the neighbourhood affords. 
A favourite hiding place is the thick, matted, thorny 
scrub, so common in South Africa. These bushes 
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