Red Fox

## Description

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes ) is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia, plus parts of North Africa. It is listed as least concern by the IUCN. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been introduced to Australia, where it is considered harmful to native mammals and bird populations. Due to its presence in Australia, it is included on the list of the "world's 100 worst invasive species".

The red fox originated from smaller-sized ancestors from Eurasia during the Middle Villafranchian period, and colonised North America shortly after the Wisconsin glaciation. Among the true foxes, the red fox represents a more progressive form in the direction of carnivory. Apart from its large size, the red fox is distinguished from other fox species by its ability to adapt quickly to new environments. Despite its name, the species often produces individuals with other colourings, including leucistic and melanistic individuals. Forty-five subspecies are currently recognised, which are divided into two categories: the large northern foxes and the small, basal southern grey desert foxes of Asia and North Africa.

Red foxes are usually together in pairs or small groups consisting of families, such as a mated pair and their young, or a male with several females having kinship ties. The young of the mated pair remain with their parents to assist in caring for new kits. The species primarily feeds on small rodents, though it may also target rabbits, squirrels, game birds, reptiles, invertebrates and young ungulates. Fruit and vegetable matter is also eaten sometimes. Although the red fox tends to kill smaller predators, including other fox species, it is vulnerable to attack from larger predators, such as wolves, coyotes, golden jackals, large predatory birds such as golden eagles and Eurasian eagle owls, and medium- and large-sized felines.

The species has a long history of association with humans, having been extensively hunted as a pest and furbearer for many centuries, as well as being represented in human folklore and mythology. Because of its widespread distribution and large population, the red fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade.: 229–230  Too small to pose a threat to humans, it has extensively benefited from the presence of human habitation, and has successfully colonised many suburban and urban areas. Domestication of the red fox is also underway in Russia, and has resulted in the domesticated red fox.

## Appearance

Red foxes are the biggest of the fox species. Males are slightly bigger than females. Their fur color range is from pale yellowish red to a deep reddish brown for the upper parts and white or ashy on the underside. The legs are usually black on the lower parts and the tail often is tipped with black or white and has tail glands. Their eyes are yellow in adulthood. The nose is black or dark brown.

## Distribution

Red foxes are distributed across the Northern Hemisphere but do not live in Iceland, some parts of Siberia, the Arctic islands, or in extreme deserts. They live in many different habitats around the world including forests, grasslands, deserts, and mountains, having the greatest geographic range of all members of the Carnivora family. They can adapt well to human habitats such as farms and suburban areas, even quite large communities.

## Behavior

Red foxes live in family groups sharing a joint territory. Adults have a home range that varies in size according to the quality of the environment. In rich areas they may measure 5 to 12 square kilometers, being larger in poorer areas, from 20 to 50 square kilometers. Occupants of a range are an adult male and one or two females with their young. Families and individuals live in dens made of earth and often have emergency burrows within the home range. Often the same den is used over several generations. Red foxes may leave their families once they reach adulthood if the chances of winning a territory of their own are high. If not, they will stay with their parents. Red foxes prefer to hunt in the early morning hours before sunrise and late evening. Although they typically forage alone, they may aggregate in resource-rich environments. When hunting mouse-like prey, they first pinpoint their prey's location by sound, then leap, sailing high above their quarry, steering in mid-air with their tails, before landing on target up to 5 meters (16 ft) away. Red foxes have a wide vocal range, and produce different sounds. There are 12 different sounds produced by adults and 8 by kits. The majority of sounds can be divided into "contact" and "interaction" calls. Another call is a long, drawn-out, monosyllabic "waaaaah" sound commonly heard during the breeding season. When danger is detected, Red foxes emit a monosyllabic bark. Kits make warbling whimpers when nursing, these calls being especially loud when they are dissatisfied.

## Diet

Red foxes are omnivores and scavengers and eat a highly varied diet. They feed mostly on small rodents such as voles, mice, hamsters, ground squirrels, gerbils, woodchucks, deer mice and pocket gophers. They also eat birds, rabbits, porcupines, hares, raccoons, opossums, insects, and small reptiles. Red foxes also consume carrion and d this typically only in the late evening hours and at night.

## Reproduction

Mating is from January to March. The female builds one or more dens following mating. The spare dens can be used if the original one is disturbed. Gestation is about two months and then 1 to 10 kits are born. The male supplies the female with food while she looks after the kits. At about a month old the kits begin to play outside the den. The mother feeds them regurgitated food and later brings them live prey which they "play" with before eating, which helps develop skills for hunting. At about 7 months old the kits leave the mother.

## Population

### Population threats

Globally, there appear to be no major threats to Red fox at present. Locally, these foxes may suffer from habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation, and overhunting.

### Population number

Its worldwide population is difficult to estimate, due to its widespread distribution. According to IUCN, as of 1995, the total pre-breeding British fox population was approx. 240,000 individuals. The population in Germany was estimated at about 600,000 in 2000–2001. The ICUN classifies the red fox as "Least Concern", with a stable population trend.

### Ecological niche

Red foxes help control the populations of their prey, such as rabbits and rodents. They may also disperse seeds due to eating fruit.

## Domestication

Red foxes usually do not make good pets. Well-meaning people adopt supposedly abandoned kits during the spring period. Actual orphans are rare; those adopted have probably strayed from the site of their den. Generally friendly toward people when very young, captive Red foxes develop a fear of humans, except for their handlers, from 10 weeks of age.

## Fun Facts for Kids

With excellent senses of hearing and smell, these foxes can hear the squeak of a mouse more than 100 feet away. They will often dig in dirt or snow to pursue prey.

The Red fox will keep hunting when it is not hungry. It stores the spare food under leaves, dirt, or snow, to eat later.

A Red fox's tail measures about a third of its length. In cold weather, it serves as a warm cover. It is also a signal flag in communicating with other foxes.

The male is called a dog, and the female a vixen. A young fox is a "kit," "cub" or "pup". A group is called a "skulk".

The fox leaves urine scent markings to communicate to other foxes.