Fox, Red

Physical Features

The Red Fox is a small, dog-like mammal that has a sharp face with pointed ears, an agile and lightly built body covered in lustrous long fur with a large bushy tail. Male foxes are slightly larger than the females. The sizes of the mammal vary somewhat between individuals and geographic locations, with those in the north tend to be bigger. Adult foxes weigh between 8-15 pounds (3.6-6.8 kg) and range in length from 35-47in (90-112 cm), of which about one-third is their tail. Although the name 'Red Fox' is the accepted common name for this species, not all members of the species are actually red. There are several common color variations, two or more of which may occur within a single litter. The basic, and most common, color is red in a variety of shades, with a faint darker red line running along the back and forming a cross from shoulder to shoulder on its saddle. Individuals have black paws, with a faint black muzzle and black outer ears while their undersides and throat are white or light in color. They also have a white tipped tail and their legs are distinctly white which makes it look like they are wearing white stockings.

Habitat

The Red Fox makes its home in wooded areas, prairies and farmland. They are found widely spread throughout most of the United States and Canada, except for the far north of Canada and Alaska and much of the western U.S. and Hawaii. The Red Fox can also be found in Europe and Asia and it has been introduced to Australasia where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird populations. Diet The Red Fox is an omnivore and it eats a wide variety of foods including fruits, berries and grasses. It also eats birds and small mammals like squirrels, rabbits and mice. A large part of the Red Fox's diet is made up of invertebrates like crickets, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles and crayfish. The Red Fox will continue to hunt even when it is full and it is known to store its extra food under leaves, snow or dirt for later consumption.

Meat

The meat of the Red Fox is very lean with an aroma of its own and a taste similar to lamb. Due to its widespread distribution and large population, the Red Fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade. Their pelts are used for trimmings, scarves, muffs, jackets and coats. Red foxes are hunted for sport, though not extensively, and are sometimes killed as destructive pests or frequent carriers of rabies.

Behavior

The Red Fox is predominantly nocturnal, although it will sometimes venture out in the day. It has a very acute sense of hearing and can hear low-frequency sounds very well. It can hear small animals digging underground and will frequently dig in the dirt or snow to catch prey. The Red Fox stalks its prey, much like a cat by getting as close as it can and then pouncing on and chasing its prey. Red Foxes are social animals and a mated pair leads their groups. Except for the breeding females, the Red Fox doesn't usually use a den. Sometimes it will sleep in the open, wrapping its bushy tail around its nose to stay warm. When it does use a den, it will usually find an abandoned rabbit or marmot den instead of making its own den. The Red Fox mates from January through March. The female makes one or more dens immediately after mating with the extra den being used if the original den is disturbed. A little less than two months after mating, the female gives birth to a litter of between one and ten kits. T he male brings the female food while she is caring for their young. The kits start playing outside the den when they are about a month old during which time the mother begins feeding her kits regurgitated food, but eventually she brings them live prey to 'play' with and eat. Playing with live prey helps the young kits develop the skills they will need for hunting. The kits leave their mother when they are about seven months old. Although the Red Fox had a bad reputation as a chicken thief, it has become appreciated by farmers for the vast numbers of crop-destroying small mammals and insects it consumes. The Red Fox has an average life span of between two to four years in the wild. They have a sharp bark which they use when they are startled and to warn other foxes.

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