In Saudi Arabia, Rüppell's fox has to compete with the red fox Vulpes vulpes which is well adapted to living in areas of the desert, particularly those colonized by man. Hence, Rüppell's fox may only be able to compete in the harshest desert areas. Poisoned baits are used indiscriminately to control predators in Saudi Arabia.
Rüppell's fox is found from Morocco to Afghanistan. Scattered populations in the mid and eastern Sahara, Hoggar to Air through Tibesti to the Libyan, Nubian and Arabian deserts. It is also found in the Sinai, north to the Dead Sea and Iraq, through Iran and western Afghanistan. It is probably found in most of the Arabian Peninsula.
Other language names, in French: Renard famélique; German: Sandfuchs, Rüppellfuchs. Also locally referred to as "le fennec" in confusion with the Fennec fox.
Vulpes rueppelli is considered as "Data Deficient" by the IUCN.