Fox Information; Information on the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

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Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

General Description

The fox is a medium sized canid and is the largest fox in its genus Vulpes. Characterised by the large bushy tail tipped often with a white splash. Although commonly known as the red fox, many colour variations exist.

The most common is rust red to a flame red. The back of the ears are black and the lower leg parts often known as the socks are often black. Often due to its hunting abilities and its elliptical eyes, it’s mistakenly believed to be part dog, part cat.

Statistics

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Total Length (cm)

Male: 67

Vixen: 63

Tail Length (cm)

Male: 45

Vixen: 38

Weight (Kg)

Male: 6.7

Vixen: 5.4

Life Span

Approximately 2 years in the wild and up to 12 - 14 years in captivity

Gestation

Approximately 51 - 53 days

Litter Size

4 - 5

Cites

Not Listed

National Legislation

No laws to specifically protect foxes just general Wild Mammals Acts

Distribution

Throughout the Northern hemisphere from the Arctic circle to North Africa, Central America and the Asiatic Steppes excluding Iceland, the Arctic Islands and some parts of Siberia and the extreme desert. The red fox was also introduced to Australia and into Eastern States of North America.

Habitat

Since the fox is so adaptable to its surroundings the habitat requirements vary extremely i.e. from Arctic tundra to busy city centres. Natural habitat is of a mixed landscape with abundant woodlands. The red fox can also be found thriving in deserts and upland mountains. The urban fox is flourishing and seems to be able to thrive when its territory is so closely associated with man.

Habitat

Food

Much like its requirements for habitat in that they are very adaptable when it comes to diet. Small mammals, beetles, earthworms, bird’s garbage and carrion. The aspect of the fox’s diet that surprises many is their love for fruit. When blackberries are ripe on the bushes, foxes will go blackberry picking and during this season because of the fruit consumed their droppings are usually purple in colour.

Like any successful predator a fox will leave nothing to waste, if food is abundant the fox will cache its food (having a highly developed memory for its hoards) for a day when there could be a shortage. In light of this many think of the fox, especially when the fox and chicken coop scenario is brought up, that foxes kill for fun. Strictly not true a fox will kill all the chickens if it’s able and cache anything it can't eat for a later day.

The fox is also known for its cat like pounce on small rodents. On seeing this, one may ask why do they expend so much energy by pouncing when to run up to the rodent would be less like hard work. The answer is simple when a vole for instance is in danger from a fox they will leap into the air to avoid capture, the fox obviously counter acts this by coming down from above.

Did You Know?

A female fox is called a Vixen

A male fox is called a Dog Fox

A baby fox is called a Cub or Kit

A group of foxes is called a Skulk

The place where cubs are born is known as an earth or den.

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