Fox Crested Hoplite and vase interpretation

[hispano]

Another fox crest. This is also from the British Museum, it is an italiote cratere of Pisticci (southern Italy), from the end of 5th century or beginnings of the 4th BC

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Were there not Greeks who were sent to start colonies in norther Africa, who were in conflict with the native peoples, and faced other misfortunes? I cant recall the details but surely the idea of armed Hoplites facing Africa warriors is nothing outlandish....I would find it very odd if there were not a dipiction of African peoples in Greek art.

Maybe the animal is a meerkat?