Fauna Report

The Red Fox

The Vulpes fulva, or more commonly known as the red fox, is a mammal found throughout the world, except in Antarctica, Southeast Asia and on some islands. Foxes are very adaptable to their surroundings and survival needs. Therefore they can live in farmlands, forests, on deserts, and even in suburbs. The average size of a red fox is 18 to 33.75 in (46 to 86 cm) long, a tail that is 12 to 21.75in. With all of that the average life span is 2 to four years in the wild. Communities of foxes are most prevalent in places that can support them, otherwise they are spotted in their hunting ground or passing trails. When foxes have pups, either in late winter or early spring, they tend to live in groups or little communities. The vixen and dog, protect their young from enemies while also attending to their hunger. Once the four ounce pups are strong enough to play around, they begin the process of pouncing. They pounce on things in their parent’s tails. As you can imagine it would get pretty old having someone jumping on you so the Vixen and Dog bring live mice for the young to play with.

The most common place that foxes live is in dens. A den may be underground, in a cave, among rocks, or in a hollow log or tree. If all else fails red foxes, more than other species might dig their dens. Dens are usually established after mating in preparation for the pups. After the pups leave in late summer the foxes might split up and rejoin later in the fall.

The key to a fox’s survival is food. Now I guess you could say foxes might be a little lazy, or just incredibly sly. They will eat just about anything that is easy to catch or has already been killed. Just another reason they are so adaptable. The part that makes them sly is that they hide the uneaten parts of their pray. They dig a little pantry and save it for later. The reason farms or ranches, such as my area, are a big place to see foxes, is because they pray on the chicken and mice/voles, sometimes even lame birds. It has even reached a point where, in places that foxes have been “kicked out” the rodent populations have increased and foxes are being brought in. Foxes are very good hunters that do most of their work at night, but work year round.