Vulpes vulpes

Author: Nessie O'Neil

Meet the Red Fox

Red Fox Classification

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus and Species: Vulpes vulpes

Foxy Fun Facts

The red fox can run nearly 30 mph!
Red foxes come in four main colors in the wild: red, silver, cross, and albino
Due to fur farms and hobby breeders, there are now over 70 red fox color morphs
Red foxes have whiskers on both their face and legs to help them navigate
Red foxes can identify each other’s voices and have been found to make 12 different sounds

Conservation Status

Least concern

Body Size

8-15 lbs
15-18 inches at the shoulder

Life Span

3-4 years in the wild

12 years in captivity

Native Habitat

The red fox thrives in many diverse habitats like woodlands, grasslands, and even urban areas. The red fox can be found all across Eurasia, as well as most of North America and some parts of North Africa. The red fox has also been introduced to Australia, where it is considered an invasive species

Diet

Red Foxes mainly eat small rodents, rabbits, game birds, small reptiles, invertebrates, and sometimes even young goats or sheep if they are easily accessible. Fruit and vegetable matter is also a small portion of a red fox’s diet.

Red Foxes are the largest of the 12 true foxes!

Apart from their size, a red fox is distinguished from other fox species by it’s ability to adapt quickly to new environments. Because of this, the red fox is the most widely spread species of foxes.

In the wild, red foxes will usually live together in pairs or small family groups in underground dens. These fox dens can be between one to eight feet underground, and are typically 15-20 feet long.

Female red foxes are called vixens, and males are called dogs or todds. Baby foxes are usually referred to as kits, but are sometimes called cubs or pups as well. Red foxes only have kits once a year in the spring, and generally have between 4-6 kits, although litters can be as large as a dozen or so in rare cases.

Vixens are very good mothers and will not leave the kits for the first 2-3 weeks, during which time her mate will care for her.

Sadly red foxes normally have short lives in the wild, with the majority normally living three to four years. The predators of the red fox include coyotes, gray wolves, eagles, bears, mountain lions. However the main predators of the red fox are humans.

Red Foxes as Pets

Living with red foxes can either sound like a dream or a nightmare, depending on who you are. They aren’t an animal that everyone should have, but if you are interested in leaning about what it takes to care for and share your life with a pet red fox then read on.

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