Red Fox
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
As its appearance suggests, the fox is in the canine family of mammals. The upright and forward facing ears, tapered snout and bushy tail, are its chief identifying characteristics. In winter, the red coat will be a strong contrast to the white snow and the bushy tail will be that much more obvious. The population of the fox may be be suppressed by the recent uptick in the coyote and bobcat populations. By using a series of dens during breeding season and keeping to nocturnal habits, the fox can elude its predators. While we think of foxes as being silent, they actually make many different vocalizations. Watch the video below to hear the “vixen’s scream”!
Weight
7-15 pounds
Length
46 inches long
Diet
Mice, rabbits and other small mammals. Will also take small birds, insects and some vegetation.
Habitat
The fox likes the forest edge, where it can take cover.
Life Cycle
The fox is monogamous and breeding pairs stay together. The mating season starts in December and continues through March, with one litter of kits being born a year. The male will help the female in raising them.
The parents will use a burrow, perhaps one dug by a woodchuck, for its nesting place to safely raise their young away from predators. The kits aren’t able to leave the den and hunt with their parents until they are 10-12 weeks old. By the following fall, the kits will have the skills they need to go off and find their own territory and mates.
Similar Species
The grey fox is equally common, but smaller. It blends into the habit with its more neutral coat color and might be harder to spot. The grey fox is the only fox that can climb trees, which is a helpful survival strategy.
Ecosystem Connections
The fox can keep rodent populations under control, as this is a favorite food.
Human Connections
The fox has been hunted and trapped extensively in the past for its beautiful coat.