Some subspecies exhibit a silver fur color. The fox's large ears help when detecting mice that hide under the snow during Assateague's winter months. The red fox is a member of the dog family. Red Fox populations are healthy despite pressure from humans and predators. Humans have long hunted them for their beautiful red fur and bushy tails.
Foxes play a major role in controlling rodent populations on agricultural land.
Although foxes have short life spans, some have been known to live up to 14 years of age.