Northern Red Foxes
Vulpes fulva
An extremely wary animal, The North American Red Fox is skilled at evading traps and dodging pursuers. Red foxes inhabit areas of forest mixed with open country, from the Arctic Ocean to the Southern United States. Although most active at night, they are also seen by day.
Red Foxes feed on insects, earthworms, small birds and mammals, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter, especially fruits. Unlike other members of the dog family, which run down their prey, foxes usually hunt by stalking and pouncing. They are known for their raids on poultry but are nonetheless very beneficial to farmers as hunters of rodents.
Red Foxes actually come in many different colors: they are commonly reddish; however cinnamon, black, silver, and cross (reddish, with a dark, cross-shaped region on back and shoulders) are variations that may appear in any red fox litter. The legs, feet and tips of the ears are always black regardless of overall coat color.
The North American Red Fox (Vulpes fulva) is often confused with the Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus); however the Red Fox is considerably smaller then the Gray; Red foxes are distributed heavier in the eastern and the Gray in the western parts of North America; the Red's tail is always tipped in white, the Gray's tail is always tipped in black; Red Foxes prefer more open habitat, Grays gravitate towards deeper forest and mountains.
The European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), is similar in appearance to the North American Red Fox and inhabits similar habitats, but is commonly heavier with a thicker coat.
- Range: Throughout most of Canada and U.S., except for much of western U.S.
- Habitat: Woodlands, fields, brushy areas, pastures, and parks
- Life expectancy: 4 to 5 years in the wild, 10 to 15 years in captivity
- Size: 24 to 28 inches long nose to tail; 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight: Males average 12 pounds, females 8 pounds
Dodger
Male (Born 3.14.02)
Lucy
Female (Born 2.14.01)
