All About Foxes

Appearance

Foxes are small animals that are related to dogs, wolves, and coyotes; all of whom belong to the Canidae family. They have thin snouts and pointed ears. Some species even have big, bat-like ears that are the same size as their heads. While their sizes can vary quite a bit, most foxes are the size of a medium-sized dog, but the fennec fox – which is the smallest living fox species – is the size of a small kitten.

Their color varies among different species. The most famous and common species, the red fox, has a reddish-orange fur coat with a white underside. Other species can be all white – such as the arctic fox – or can be grey. What makes them look adorable is their big bushy white-tipped tail and their long fur.

Diet

Much like dogs or coyotes, foxes are omnivores – meaning they eat both meat and vegetables. Their diet is varied and includes everything from rabbits, lizards, fish, birds, insects, and even fruits. The specifics of their diet largely depends on where they live and the local prey. Foxes aren’t picky eaters either and have no problem scavenging or eating dead animals and leftovers when they’re low on food. 

All About Foxes

They’re even known to rummage through garbage cans from time to time. What’s fascinating about these hunters is that they store food they don’t finish and leave it for later by hiding it under the ground, snow, or leaves. So no wonder foxes are associated with cunningness. 

Habitat

Foxes are well suited to most places in the world, which is reflected in the fact that they’re found all over the northern hemisphere – North America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. They’re even doing quite well for themselves in Australia where they’re an invasive species.

While foxes tend to prefer nice forested areas, they can live just about anywhere. They’re known to be found in grasslands, high up on mountains, in the middle of hot deserts, and even in the freezing arctic tundra – which is inhabited by the arctic fox that doesn’t feel cold until temperatures hit -94℉ (-70℃). What’s more is that they’ve even gotten used to human presence, so foxes can be found in and around towns and cities.

All About Foxes

What many might not know about foxes is that they usually live underground. Foxes will dig small dens by burrowing in the ground. These dens will have several tunnels leading to the surface and back, meaning they always have a way to escape.

Behavior

Foxes, like their not too distant relatives, tend to live in small groups called packs, skulks, or leashes. Yet they do most of their hunting alone. Instead, their group mentality is most emphasized when raising their young. Dens often include a few generations of foxes, as each animal lives with its parents, siblings, cousins, and children. This group spirit can even be seen in how playful they are with one another.

While foxes are predominantly nocturnal – doing most of their hunting at night – thanks to their cat-like vision, they’re also known to go out during the day if they feel safe enough. Their vision isn’t the only similarity they have with cats, however, as they’re known to tiptoe which gives them a feline-like walk. They also happen to be the only member of the Canidae family that can climb up trees.

Vixens (female foxes) give birth to about five pups (baby foxes) once a year in February or March after being pregnant for fifty days. Their pups are born blind and spend the first few weeks of their lives with their mother as the dog (male fox) brings them food in the den. After the first four weeks, they’ll slowly start braving the world outside with parental supervision and will hunt after small insects or rodents. 

All About Foxes

They slowly get bigger and more independent until they reach adulthood after close to ten months, at which point they can begin to breed. Unfortunately, foxes don’t live long afterwards, with most having lifespans of only two to four years.

Human Relations

Foxes and people have been closely linked throughout much of history. Most cultures around the world have myths and folklore regarding the pointy-eared fox. They’ve even been tamed and taken in as pets well before humans first domesticated dogs. Sadly, foxes are also frequently killed thanks to people destroying their habitats and hunting them for sport.

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