The Cape Fox is a nocturnal animal which feeds mainly on mice, gerbils, rock dassies, hares, ground nesting birds, lizards, insects and spiders, but it is also a scavenger. It is an attractive animal, and in prime condition the winter coat has a silvery appearance. They are generally solitary, and lie up in holes during the day.

The Cape fox's shelter consists of two kinds: ground surface cover, rock crevices and rocky overhangs, or an underground hole which could be either dug by the fox itself, or it could simply use one from a springhare or other species. Its call is a high pitched one and is a drawn out howl which ends in two or three yaps. Three to five young are born. This animal has taken the blame for the slaughter of young domestic stock and because of this 20 000 were hunted and destroyed in the Orange Free State alone in the 1960's and 1970's.