[2] It closely resembles the unrelated Bengal fox in size, but is distinguished by its longer tail and hind feet.

The colour on the back varies from brownish yellow to rusty red with slight admixture of white, while the flanks are whitish or greyish.

The outer surface of the limbs are iron-grey or rufous, while the inner side of the forelegs and the whole front of the hind legs are white.

The ear-tips are black or dark brown and paler at the base, lined with whitish hairs.

[3] It is similar in habits to the hill fox, but its diet is more carnivorous than that of other subspecies, and its prey is more restricted to gerbils and sand rats, due to the more barren habitat it occupies.