Introduction

In this article we are going to be taking a detailed look into different species of foxes and their unique claws.

All Foxes are digitigrades; meaning that they walk on their toes, not touching the ground with their heels. Unlike most members of the family Canidae, which include foxes, wolves, and jackals, foxes have partially retractable claws, which means that it gives some species of foxes, like the grey fox, the ability to climb trees.

Since foxes’ claws are always protruding from their paws it makes it easier for them to fight off any predators they may encounter, dig holes in the ground to find food, make dens deep under the earth, and hunt down their prey. 

Now let’s dive into a more detailed look at these unique creatures and all their specific claw features!  

Arctic Fox Claws

Arctic foxes, also known as a white fox or snow fox, inhabit the northern tree line in the Arctic tundra. The environment that they live in requires them to have some unique features that distinguish them from the rest of their fox cousins. Since these foxes are subjected to extreme temperatures they have adapted to living underground, beneath the snow.

Arctic Fox Claws – Credit

They dig their way down to avoid the frigid cold and high winds, which means that their paws need to be thicker and more insulated, which they are! The claws of the arctic fox help them to catch their main prey which are, baby seals, eggs from tundra birds, lemmings, which live under the surface of the snow, and berries/seaweed when available. 

Arctic fox claws are slightly curved and very sharp, making it ideal for hunting, fending off predators such as the wolves, snowy owls, polar bears, and wolverines, and making their homes deep under the snow.

The extreme condition these foxes are subjected to have, in turn, caused for some smaller differences in their paws, claws, and legs. Compared to other foxes, the arctic fox has proportionally smaller legs then most. The claws of the snow fox are cushioned in quite a thick layer of fur, which aids the grip of their paws so that they can walk on snow and ice without complication. 

Gray Fox Claws

The Gray fox are unique in their own right. These creatures have semi retractable claws that stay sharp their whole life. These foxes resemble cats in many ways, and are compared oftentimes to their feline doppelgangers. Similar to cats, these foxes often climb trees, sometimes even sleeping on a branch. The sharp curve of their claws, and their rotating forearms make tree climbing possible and put them apart from any other fox.

gray-fox-claws
Gray Fox Claws

Gray foxes can climb vertically up the tree, going up to heights of over 60 feet and even leaping from branch to branch to escape from predators, catch any prey that may reside up above, or find a comfortable spot to take a nap. Some gray foxes have developed certain characteristics in their claws that set them apart from some other species.  An example would be the gray fox that lives in more forested regions of Mexico. It has been found that these foxes have sharper and more curved claws. 

The hunting behaviors of the gray fox also differentiate them from their relatives, and makes the unique shape of their nails useful. It uses its pointed, movable ears to locate small animals moving under snow or matted vegetation then It will then leap and pounce attempting to pin the prey with its four paws, proceeding to use its claws to pin the animal down and consume its prey.

Gray fox tracks show four toes and claws and since the claws are semi retractable, sometimes the claws do not show and their tracks tend to average less than two inches in length.

Swift Fox Claws

Unlike its other fox relatives, the Northern Swift Fox is one that faces endangerment and  is already extinct in some places in the United States and Canada. The reason for this being habitat destruction, and intensive hunting and trapping. 

Swift-fox-claws
Swift Fox Claws – Credit

As the smallest member of the fox family, the swift fox is roughly the size of a house cat but can reach a speed of over 50 miles per hour. Known to reside primarily in their dens during the day means that during the night they use their incredible speed and swift claws to hunt down their prey which includes rabbits, mice, lizards, insects, and birds.

Unlike most others from the fox family, swift foxes use dens throughout the year, not only for protection, but also for giving birth to their young. Some dens consist only of a single burrow and entrance; others consist of  birthing lairs and are often very complex, including mazes of interconnected tunnels with multiple entrances.

When these tunnels are constructed the excavated dirt is usually pulled away from the entrance, more often than not in a straight line.  Although swift foxes will enlarge or modify ground squirrel or badger holes, they are fully capable of digging their own dens due to the swift foxes’ claws which enable it to burrow and catch its prey. 

Red Fox Claws

Known to be the most common of foxes around the world with the widest geographical range of any of its relatives, the red fox is one that has pads on the bottom of the paws which allows it to move with ease in any type of terrain.

red-fox-claws
Red Fox Claws – Credit

Their claws, like most of their fellow foxes, are very sharp and protrude out of their paw at all times. The red foxes’ claws help them to capture prey, to fight off any predators they might encounter, to dig dens, and to get to any food that may be located underground. 

The red fox is one of the more domesticated of its kind, it can reside in places with a dense population of humans. This makes it more likely for the foxes to scavenge through things such as garbage, poultry farms, and nature reserves.

Due to them being so comfortable around people they have been the target of hunting and trapping. However, some foxes have been known to get so accustomed to the presence of humans that they even let people go up to them and pet them. Nevertheless, these creatures manage to keep thriving in any environment they are in.

Kit Fox Claws

The claws of the kit fox have been adapted to aid their survival in the environment that they reside in. These species of foxes make their home in the deserts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, and Western Texas. Due to these dry, sandy conditions their claws have been customized to fit their needs.

Unlike other foxes, the kit foxes’ claws have padding and fur in between them. This serves the purpose of helping them glide over the sandy terrain with ease,  silence their footsteps when they walk so that they can sneak up on prey and ambush them, and protect their paws from scorching as they walk on the blistering sand.

Being the one of the smallest foxes in North America, the kit fox measures in at around 18-21 inches in length and around 12 inches in height, making it no larger than a small cat.

The main prey of these foxes consist of Kangaroo rats, jackrabbits, mice, and lizards, however they will eat pretty much anything that will fit in their mouths. Having the ability to be stealthy and sneak up on prey gives these little guys and the advantage of hunting creatures that are pretty fast and can jump away if they sense danger. 

Fennec Fox Claws

The fennec fox is one that resides in regions of North Africa and the Sahara Desert. These foxes are known for digging elaborate burrows that tunnel and form underground communities.

Fennec-fox-claws
Fennec Fox Claws – Credit

 The claws of the fennec fox aid them in their digging ventures because the claws themselves are very sharp and curved, however, besides the fact that they rely on their claws very heavily for digging and burrowing, they also use their sharp nails for hunting down prey like lizards, mice, and any berries or vegetation they like, often time bringing the excess food back to their dens.

This fox in particular is one that relies mostly on its sense of hearing to hunt down its food, unlike many of its relatives, its ears are disproportionately large compared to its body, making their ability to hear any bugs or critters roaming underground impeccable. Once they locate their prey, they then proceed to dig it up with its sharp claws and consume it, or take it back to its burrow.

Tibetan Sand Fox Claws

The Tibetan sand fox from western China is a fox with very distinguishing features, one feature that differentiates it from the other foxes is how it hunts. Unlike some of its cousins, the Tibetan fox hunts alongside other predators such as the brown bear.

Working as a team, these two will form a partnership where the bear digs out the prey, pikas, and the fox proceeds to grab the animal with its claws and pull it out of the hole or catch the creature if it tries to escape from the bear. In comparison to the red fox, the Tibetan fox is almost identical in claw size and looks, however, there are a few things that distinguish them from the rest.

The Claws of the Tibetan sand fox are a bit smaller in size when compared to the red fox, its paw print range in size from small to medium size prints with four toes and its claw marks visible in the print.

Crab-eating Fox Claws

The crab eating fox was named this for a reason, and the reason being the fact that this fox eats crustaceans during the wet season. This fox has longer, black claws that protrude out of its paw, the claw, in comparison with other species of foxes claws, is not as wide and not as curved or pointed as some of its fox relatives. This makes it ideal for the food it hunts and the way they live. 

Similar to other foxes, the crab eating fox burrows down under the ground, however, many of them prefer to live in burrows that have already been made by another animal. These foxes are also known to not only hunt its prey, but much like cats, play with its prey for fun.

They do this by poking the creature with its claws, tossing them around with their paws, and using other techniques unique to them to hunt prey. The claws of this fox are designed specifically to tear, and this feature benefits them based on their habitat and way of life.

Blanford’s Fox Claws

The Blanford’s fox is one that inhabits the mountainous regions of Egypt, Afghanistan, and Israel. Considering the incredible terrain they maneuver, their claws are designed to facilitate movement through the rocky, steep platoes. 

The paws of this fox are hairless, with their claws being very curved and sharp and shown to be semi-retractable. These incredible foxes have the ability to climb rock and cliffs, as well as making astonishing jumps from ledge to ledge, some being over nine feet apart!

Not only can the Blanford fox jump over precarious ledges, they also can climb vertically with ease including cliffs that may be eroding and crumbling under their feet. The Blanford foxes’ claws assist them in gripping the rocks and their naked paws act as traction so they don’t slip off the narrow ledges.

Hoary Fox Claws

The hoary fox that resides in Brazil is a fox that, unlike other foxes, preys mostly on insects. This fox is a very small and slender animal, making it pretty swift and agile. The anatomy of the hoary fox is very similar, if not the same as the red fox. 

The paws of the hoary fox are padded and its claws are sharp and pointed, like its cousins. These claws help the hoary fox to get to their insects that may reside under the ground, to dig their dens, and to defend them against any predator they may encounter.

Pampas Fox Claws

Also living in Brazil, the pampas fox, similar to the hoary fox, preys on small rodents and critters. Living in grasslands and plains, the pampas fox is one that also has retractable claws like all its other fox friends. 

Measuring in at around 62 cm in length and with a weight of around 14lbs, this fox is not the smallest of foxes. Similar to many others, the pampas fox is one that preys on its food at night, typically hunting rabbits, frogs, birds, and sometimes even domestic livestock.

This specific type of fox is preyed upon by animals like anacondas, loss of its natural habitat, and also humans. Even though this fox may not have the most unique claws in the fox world, they still help them adapt to their environment, survive, and thrive. 

Wow!

  1. Did you know the red fox has pads on the bottom of its feet so it can move very quickly and efficiently through any type of terrain?
  2. Did you know that foxes are members of the dog family? Baby foxes are often called “pups”, “kits” or “cubs”!
  3. Did you know foxes are the most widespread species of wild dog in the world? Pretty cool right!

Quick Facts

Common Name: Swift Fox
Scientific Name: Vulpes velox
Diet: Omnivore
Population: ~700+
Average Life Span: 3-6 years
Length: Head & Body 18-33.75 inches; tail: 12-21.75 inches
Height: ~1 foot
Weight: 5-7+ pounds

Swift Fox – Vulpes velox

Status

In the past, the swift fox was widely distributed across Texas and southern Canada, and inhabited all of North Dakota’s prairies. However, in the recent years the population of swift foxes has been reduced to about 40 percent of their previous range. In North Dakota the species has almost vanished, except for a few sightings every so often, meaning that there may be a small population in the southwest counties.

The swift fox was once an extremely endangered species due to programs that controlled the population of predators. Although this program was aimed to control the grey wolf and coyote population, it almost eradicated the swift fox species.

However, in 1983 they started being reintroduced and forming small populations across south east Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan. In 1999 the swift fox was labeled as an endangered species in Canada, meaning it gave this fox the ability to reproduce and multiply without danger of being hunted by humans. Now, the swift fox is no longer considered an endangered animal, and is listed in the category of least concern.  

Description

The swift fox, known to be the smallest wild dog in North America, is roughly the size of a domestic cat, measuring in at around 30 cm tall, 80 cm long, and weighing in at around 5-7 pounds. Males and females differ in size with the male being slightly larger than the female, however the coloring of these foxes are the same between genders.

Illustration by: Kroxie 

The fur of the swift fox a pretty shade of light grey with streaks of an orange tan color on the sides of its legs. Both the belly, chest, neck, and ears are a creamy white, with its tail being fluffy and voluptuous and having a matte black color on its tip. Not only is there black on the tip of this foxes tail, but its snout also contains two patches of black fur on either side. The ears on these foxes are quite large in comparison with its tiny body and poke up in a sharp fluffy triangle on its head.

Anatomy

Since the swift fox hunts at night they have specific adaptations required for them to survive. Most animals are radially symmetrical whereas the swift fox is bilaterally symmetrical, this feature is what gives this animal its extraordinary speed due to the fact that being bilaterally symmetrical gives it increased mobility and range of motion.

The ears of the swift fox are another feature that make up its unique anatomy, their ears are quite large compared to how small they are. This gives them a very keen sense of hearing, and helps them locate their prey and keep themselves safe. The swift fox belongs to the Phylum Chordata and the kingdom Animalia.

Behavior

The swift fox is an animal that is primarily nocturnal, meaning that it spends most of its time hunting and exploring during the night. During the day the swift fox tends to keep any activities confined to their dens, however, they have been seen to leave their den during the day in the winter when it is warm outside.

The lifetime of these foxes depends on whether or not it is a wild animal, or if it was brought up in captivity. Wild foxes usually live between 3-6 years, while the ones that have been raised in captivity live to a whopping 14 years! The behavior of the swift fox is a bit different to some other foxes, the swift fox is one that stays in its den way more than any other species of fox, because they heavily rely on their shelters beneath the ground for protection against predators. Another unique characteristic of the swift fox is its speed.

The Vulpes velox, most commonly known as the swift fox, has this name because of its astounding ability to reach speeds of over 40/mph, it uses its breathtaking speed to avoid predators, and to catch its next meal. 

Diet / Feeding

Like most foxes, the swift fox is an omnivore, leaning more towards the carnivore side however. Its diet consists of rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, insects, and lizards, but this can depend on the seasons and what food is readily available to the fox. During the summer the adult foxes will eat a vast amount of insects, beetles, and grasshoppers. Although they feed themselves with smaller creatures, they will feed their babies larger prey such as deer and carrion that have already been killed by another predator.

The swift fox is an opportunistic eater, consuming anything it can easily seize. This can include, but is not limited to, fish, tiny birds, rotten meat, skunks, and prairie dogs. Even though the swift foxes diet is mostly meat and bugs, they will eat certain plants and seeds depending on what’s available. Grasses, berries, and seeds are what they most commonly consume when it comes to vegetation, however, they are also known to eat prickly pear cactus.

Reproduction

The reproduction of the swift fox varies depending on the individual, some foxes mate for life while others will reproduce with a different individual each year. The males reach sexual maturity at one year of age, whereas, the female often waits till her second year to begin reproducing. In Canada the breeding season begins in March, the gestation lasts about 50-60 days, and the pups are born during mid-May. 

Foxes who live in the southern parts of the United States usually start breeding somewhere in late December, early January, with the babies born in March, early April. Unlike some creatures, the swift fox only has one litter a year, with about 2-6 babies in the litter. The pups are almost always born underground and usually remain there for about a month. At birth, the eyes and ears of the pups are closed, with this lasting for about 10-15 days meaning that they are completely dependent on their mothers for sustenance and protection during this vital time period. After about 7 weeks the pups are weaned, but tend to stay alongside their parents till the fall.

Amazing facts about Swift fox
Swift Fox – Vulpes velox

Habitat / Distribution

Swift foxes tend to inhabit short-grass prairies and western grasslands, they will make their dens in the sandy soil of the prairies, in fields that have been plowed, or right along the edge of fences. The swift fox is native to the Great Plain region of North America and extends to Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada, and on south to Texas. The swift fox is also distributed across Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana, and Western Iowa. The swift fox loves to live in places where there are colonies of prairie dogs since they are a large part of the foxes diet.

Predators

Since the swift fox is such a small animal it has quite a few predators that prey on it. One of its main predators are the coyotes. For this animal, the swift fox is a perfect meal since they are very small in size and easy to hunt.

Eagles and Hawks also find the swift fox to be good prey, perfectly sized for them to grasp with their sharp talents and light enough to whisk into the air.

Not only do animals use the swift fox as game, humans are known to be one of the main hunters of this fox. Humans have almost led these creatures to mass extinction by poisoning their main food, prairie dogs, as well as killing off the bison that roam the grasslands. Without the bison, the grass grows too tall making it very hard for the fox to see any predators that may be coming to get them, and since the prairie dogs were almost eradicated, their dens home were gone and the foxes rely on other animals’ dens to live in.

All this made the swift foxes very vulnerable to any kind of predator that happened to spot them on the ground. Sometimes foxes are caught in traps that are meant for other animals, also some foxes make their homes near roads which can leave them very vulnerable to becoming roadkill.

Human Interaction

Unlike some species of foxes, the swift fox tends to stay away from places of human habitation. However the swift fox may sometimes hunt in farms and kill animals that belong to people. Since these animals are nocturnal it means that you will most likely not see one during the day, also these foxes are not known to scavenge in trash and debris unlike some of its fox relatives. 

However, people have run into these foxes, but never get harmed by them since they are very tiny. In retrospect, these foxes tend to keep to themselves, and on the rare occasion when they run into a human it is very nonchalant and tends to be more of a nuisance then a problem.

Conservation

In the past, short-and mixed-grass prairies consisted of a distinct pattern of  patches of grasses and forbs, created by treading and disturbing the land. Factors that affected the shaping of shortgrass prairie landscapes included fires, native animals eating the grass and treading on it, herbivores, and the weather/climate.

The decrease in grassland and places to live, due to destruction and not taking care of it, and the decline of the swift fox, are related. Things that conservationists have been doing to try to return this habitat to its former state have been, introducing controlled fires to level the plains and stop the grass from growing too tall.

The Conservation Reserve Program has revegetated millions of acres of grass that are of the same species as those that grew historically in the prairies, this grass is perfect for the foxes to live in. Not only do they revegetate, the program seeds the plains with a mixture of native short and mixed grasses that suit the environment.

Other ways such as mowing, and reducing predation and competition have been ways that the conservationists have turned to in order to save this species of fox and the habitat it lives in. Because large grassland patches are more attractive to swift fox and other short, grassland-dependent species, pastures and other grassland parcels are managed and trimmed in order to achieve the patch mosaic needed to attract the swift fox.

Some lots need to be grazed more than others, and by doing so and maintaining a variety of grazing regimes, including some heavy grazing and some spots where there is less grazing, they achieve the perfect balance of habitat for the foxes and other species in the prairies.

History of the Swift Fox

Historically the swift fox resided in southern Canada and the panhandles of Texas, as well and the entirety of North Dakota. However, in recent years there have not been as many sightings of this fox, in 1915-1970 there were actually no sightings of this fox, and even now there are rarely a few, if any.

However the history of this fox dates way back to the early 1800’s when it was discovered on July 6, 1805 somewhere around the Great Falls. The swift fox was first recognized as a species by Lewis and Clark and then named in 1823 by early western settlers who noticed its speed and agility. The name of this tiny predator has still not changed after all these years because of how perfectly it fits the lifestyle of this creature. 

Quick Facts

Common Name: Red Fox
Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes
Diet: Omnivore
Population: ~7.2+ million
Average Life Span: 2-4 years
Length: Head & Body 18-33.75 inches; tail: 12-21.75 inches
Height: ~1-1.3+ feet
Weight: 4.9-31+ pounds

Red Fox – Vulpes vulpes

Status

Currently, the red fox is in a stable and prosperous state. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species which keeps track of endangered species currently lists the red fox as “least concern” a great status for this incredible species.

The 2012 census of the red fox determined that there are now more than 7.2 million red foxes roaming this planet and growing throughout the majority of all continental mainland.

FoxesWorlds predicts that the estimated population now in 2020 is over 9 million red foxes and counting. While the potential of a population decline is possible, young fox pups are usually the main target for wolves, coyotes, and other predators, read more about predators to the red fox below.

Relevant facts about Red Fox
Red Fox – Vulpes vulpes

Description

The largest species of fox is known as the Red Fox or in scientific terms the “vulpes vulpes”. When you think of a fox, the red fox is likely the one to pop up in your imagination. This is due to their gorgeous red colored fur, and the abundance of this little creature. As you can imagine the name “Red Fox” is derived from their bright colored fur.

The red fox is also commonly associated with shades of orange, brown, and like colors that can vary from fox to fox. Their silky coat is often shiny giving it a nice glimmer as they move around. In fact, their coats were once a prime reason why these beautiful creatures were heavily hunted. 

While the weight of a red fox will vary on a case to case basis the average male is about 14 pounds with the females just a couple of pounds lighter. Apart from their weight the red fox has an extraordinarily long and bushy tail, covering about 30% of its body.

This being another perfect indicator to tell surrounding viewers that what they are seeing speeding by, is in fact, a red fox. Full grown, the males are about 1.3 feet tall followed by the females standing at about 1 foot.

Anatomy

Taking a look at the anatomy of the Red Fox it becomes quickly clear why these animals are able to obtain the speed, sleekness, and more based purely off the build and characteristics of their bodies. 

The Red Fox has pads on the bottom of its paws allowing it to move with ease in any type of terrain, including grass, rocks, snow and more. They have sharp claws on the tips of their toes that stay out at all times and do not retract. These claws help them capture prey, fight off predators, dig dens, and get food to bring back to their homes. Their bodies are long, slender, and build for speed, allowing them to move very quickly, in all conditions. 

On top of that, all Red Foxes have long, pointed ears, that allow them to have an exceptional hearing ability. This hearing ability allows them to hear the movements of rodents and other prey from under the ground, giving them an advantage while hunting, sneaking around, and hiding from potential harm.  

Just when you think the Red Fox can’t possibly have more to their advantage they are topped off with some amazing vision. Red Foxes have to some degree, a capacity for color vision as well as the ability to see in just about all light conditions, this gives them an advantage to hunt and scavenge the night. Their field of view is relatively wide but do have a limited binocular vision and focussing power. They are powerful animals that also have an elegant view to them.

Red fox characteristics
A fox in the wast snow fields of Western Siberia.

Behavior

For the most part the Red Fox lives a life that really isn’t that exciting. During the day they go to a den where they can rest and be protected from both predators and natural elements. At night the Red Fox goes to work, scavenging and hunting for prey. Rest during the day is essential as their nightly adventures last for hours. During this period they walk a long way each night looking for food sources to replenish their bodies with. 

Red Foxes do enjoy being alone and in the comfort of their own solitude, but it is common for territories to overlap, and fox families to wind up together in the same general area. Generally they will simply go about their own businesses and not bother each other.

This as you might guess, will change with food supply. When food is hard to come by the level of aggression rises. When food is more abundant, the level of aggression shrinks. This is common with foxes, but very much so with all other types of mammals, it all boils down to one thing. Survival of the fittest. A Red Fox will do anything in its power to survive, so if you end up taking its food, let’s just say you might regret it. 

Another notable factor is that during mating season the males are also more protective of their territory. This represents dominance as well as assurance to find the right mate. Continue reading to find out more about Red Fox Reproduction below.

Diet / Feeding

When it comes to what the Red Fox will or will not consume the answer is pretty simple. The Red Fox will consume just about any source of food that it can find! This is one of the main reasons that this species of fox has been so successful with all the diverse habitats it belongs to. You can find these guys in hot climates, cold climates, urban cities, brushy forests, and more. Why? Well simply due to the fact that they will eat whatever they find! If in a forest, they find small animals such as squirrels, rabbits, and rodents. If in urban cities, well that’s where your garbage comes in.

The Red Fox is also known to consume worms, bugs, and spiders, using their paws to dig for food sources that are covered underground. They can also move rocks, branches, and other natural elements to get to them if need be. During specific times of the year there can be fruits or berries growing where they live, in those cases our furry little friends turn to those sources of food to survive. If humans live in a close proximity they will also consume chickens or cattle without a second thought. Red Foxes spend upward of 5 hours per night finding and fighting for their food.

Reproduction

Reproduction for the Red Fox starts in December, from December until February the Red Fox is in mating mode. While the male Red Fox can attempt reproduction during other periods of time, this is the prime session and the only time females will physically be able to reproduce. This process begins with the females. The female Red Fox attracts the male using its body’s very strong scent. Once again this scent is more pronounced during the period of these few months. Accruing due to the extra hormones being produced in the body. This process is called “estrus” and the females will have about a three day window for mating to occur. 

After mating, the young will be born about 60 days later. As all mothers do, the female will prepare for the birth by getting a home, or in this case a den ready. Female Red Foxes will expect at least four pups but they can often receive as many as six. Thus needing to prepare enough room for them to all stay. A young Red Fox pup is expected to stay inside of the den for at least a month after its birth, that is the length of time a mother will nurture and care for them.

Now where is the male in all of this? Great question: It is the responsibility of the male to bring her back food, and protect his mate and the cubs. The male Red Fox will continue to scavenge and hunt throughout the night, bringing his kills home. Eventually, after a while of this routine the female Red Fox will have to leave her young to go get her own food due to the lack of nutrients, otherwise her body won’t be able to produce milk for the pups to drink. While it is essential the reality is that leaving her pups unattended is quite dangerous. Leaving them alone for even short periods of time can result in predators discovering the dens location and killing the young pups before she can return.

Habitat / Distribution

One of the reasons why many people are more familiar with the Red Fox than any other fox species is due to the fact that they have an amazing distribution throughout the world. In fact, the Red Fox can survive in just about any type of environment. Finding them in colder areas as well as the desert is not as uncommon as you might think! 

Some will live in the mountains while others settle in the plains. Just about anywhere you think of in the Northern Hemisphere there is a high chance the Red Fox lives there. That in itself is just the fact of nature and how this species works.

While they are definitely also found in the Southern Hemisphere it isn’t to the same degree. It wasn’t until the later part of the 1800’s when they were also introduced to areas of Australia and other continents of similar climates. They continue to be a thriving species there today.

Predators

When it comes to predators of the Red Fox, that will greatly vary on where they are located. Big cats are number one on our list and the main natural predators of this type of fox. This includes but is not limited to the lynx, panther, bobcat, and wolf. However luckily enough, while the wolf is another predator that brings potential problems, their populations are small in circle and not a huge problem anymore.

In all reality humans are the biggest predator that the Red Fox has to contend with. They used to be widely hunted for their fur coats, and beautiful colors and sadly so even are today. While in this day and age there isn’t very much money in that business, the hunt for them continues for bragging rights and how great they look after the taxidermy process.

Ever-so, In many areas of the world the Red Fox is hunted not just for game but also for protection of property and livestock. As mentioned before, the Red Fox will eat a farmers chicken in a blink of an eye and these farmers do not take that lightly. Not only are owners of these animals tired of losing their livestock but also tired of losing their money, resulting, as you might expect, in the Red Fox being hunted and killed. However, as time has proven over and over it can be an endless battle as with one fox gone, another one comes to move in its territory.

Human Interaction

The most human interaction the Red Fox will receive, boils down to two categories, interaction in captivity, and interaction in conflict. If a Red Fox decides to eat a farmers chicken that will resolve in conflict and well, the interaction will in no way be pleasant.

Likewise, if the fox is put into captivity and kept in a zoo human interaction can be expected on a day to day basis. Unlike some other animals the Red Fox does very well in captivity and can live up to 15 years. In the wild some have been able to live for over a decade. However, on average, the lifespan of a Red Fox is very short – from 2 until 5 years old. This being mainly due to young pups leaving the security and protection of their parents to find their own locations in nature. The smaller the pup, the higher the mortality rate sadly is. Once a Red Fox grows into an adult it is less likely to become a victim of a natural predator due to the nature of the species.

History of the Red Fox

Looking at the history of the Red Fox we can very quickly see that these guys have been around for quite some time. Clear findings of early canine remains indicate that the Red Fox has been around for a minimum of millions upon millions of years. This isn’t surprising to experts that study them today and claim that it is mainly due to the adaptations this animal has gone through the years. While we are certain the Red Fox has been with us for a very long time, what is still unknown, is how this creature managed to spread and settle in so many places around the world! 

Perhaps they were thriving with such abundance that they had to spread out for survival? With population increases comes the demand for food, and with a shortage of food comes the growth in expansion. This is the number one reason scientists believe that this phenomenon occurred and still to this day is occurring with our beloved Red Fox.

Fox Breeding

Even though the fox doesn’t live in a pack, they will find each other when it is time for mating. What is very interesting is that once a pair have mated they will continue to do so every year afterwards until one of them die. They will only mate with each other and not with other fox out there.

They may often meet up during the course of the year to share food, for grooming, or for small periods of social interaction. This behavior is different from other types of animals that only find each other when it is time for the mating to take place. They give off powerful scents that help them to find each other.

During the mating season the male fox will do all he can to defend his partner. Should other males try to come into contact with her they will battle. This can result in one of the males dying in the process. It is hard for the younger males to find a partner out there due to the power and protection of the older males. They must find young females that don’t already have a mating partner.

Fox Breeding
Two foxes fighting eachother

In many areas the fox is able to mate all year long. However, due to the vegetation and the temperatures they mainly do so in the early winter months. The males stick around to help the female out with the young. The gestation period is about 53 days. There are usually 4 or 5 young born at a time with each litter. They are born in the spring time. These young are called kites.

They are born in a den where they can be protected from predators out there. Just about anything that the female can find will be used for her den. Sometimes it is one that another fox used the year before. Most of the time they are underground, but some fox make dens in trees.

They are very vulnerable during the first few weeks of life. They are both deaf and blind when they are born. They also have very little hair so they need her body to keep them warm. If she has to leave then there is a good chance they won’t be able to survive.

The mother will stay with them to protect them. She also offers them milk from her body. The male has to go get food for her so she can stay there. He also does what he can to protect the young from predators. When they are about a month old they will come out of the den.

Baby fox
Kit fox in the wild, Indiana

They will start to eat meat and continue to drink milk. Over the course of time they will drink less and less from their mother. By the summer time they are able to hunt on their own. They will spend plenty of time playing with each other but that also helps them to develop strength and skill. They will play tug of war with food and spend time chasing each other around.

They will be full grown by Autumn and the young kites will start fighting among themselves. The playful activities of their youth has given way to aggressiveness and the quest for survival. That is when they will go their separate ways and find their own place in the world.

The mortality rate for the fox is very high. More than half will die before they are 10 months old. Many fox don’t live more than a few years in the wild due to the conditions. However, they can survive up to 14 years in the wild with the right conditions. They have been known to live up to 20 years in captivity.

Kit Fox – Vulpes macrotis

Description

The Kit Fox has a very different body style with a slender body. It has a large head with very large ears. It also has a long tail with bushy fur on it. This fox is gray in color and the tip of the tail is black. They are categorized as the smallest species of fox. What is ironic is that they are the smallest in size but they also have the largest ears of all the known species.

It is believed that the large ears do help the to hear well. However, they also help them release excessive heat from the body. Fully grown they only stand about 1 foot high. They also don’t weigh any more than 4 pounds.

Distribution

You will find the Kit Fox living all around areas of North America. They mainly are found in the Southwest areas of the United States. However, Utah is well known for their number of them too. There are also large numbers of them in Mexico. This species of fox tends to prefer the warmer climates. They are able to thrive in desert regions.

Behavior

Like other species of fox they are nocturnal. However, you will also see this one out during periods of the day. This is why they are more often seen than other species of fox. They do establish territory but they aren’t as protective of it as other species of fox. They are quite curious about their environment and alert to what is taken place around them.

Diet /Feeding

There are plenty of sources of food out there for the Kit Fox to live on. They include rodents, rabbits, fish, bugs, and even small birds. It is common for the hunting grounds of these animals to be the same as other Kit Fox. However, they will hunt at different times of the day or night instead of all once.

Interesting facts about Kit fox
Kit Fox – Vulpes macrotis / Photo taken by B. Peterson

Reproduction

The Kit Fox will pair off in late October or early November for mating. They sometimes go back with the same mate for several years but often they get a new mate annually. They create a large den where they live together. The young are born in either March or April of the following year. They can have from 3 to 14 young at a time to care for.

The female will remain inside of the den with the offspring once they are born. Her body will produce milk that they feed from. Her body will also help them to stay warm until their own fur grows in. The male will go get food for her so that she can tend to their needs.

The young will come out of the den with the parents when they are about 1 month old. They will engage in playing and other activities so that they can get stronger and learn to hunt. They are fully grown and ready to venture out into the world alone when they are about 5 months old.

Conservation

The Kit Fox is protected under the Utah Wildlife Code. In other areas it can only be hunted during specific times of the year. Hunters have to obtain a license for authorization to legally do so. The loss of habitat is the biggest threat to these animals. There are efforts in place to help them keep that environment for survival.

Human Interaction

Many Kit Fox are killed annually due to off road vehicles on the same land where they happen to live. Illegal hunting of them has also been found to take place in many areas out there. It can be difficult to find out who is responsible and to enforce laws against it.

Quick Facts

Common Name: Gray Fox
Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Diet: Omnivore
Population: About 110 mature individuals
Average Life Span: ~6-10 years
Length: Head and body are 3.9-6.6 inches; tail: 11-20 inches
Height: 12 – 16 inches
Weight: 3.9-4.2 kg

Gray Fox – Urocyon Cinereoargenteus

Status

As of the current moment Gray foxes are not a threatened species, however, the loss of their land and homes have required them to adapt, meaning that now they are living closer to humans and industrial places than they normally would. As a species, they are also at pretty high risk from trapping, being hunted down, and becoming roadkill. One risk this species if particularly vulnerable to is the appalling sport that is fox penning.

This is an indefensible and barbaric blood sport in which blood hounds are released into a pen of captive gray foxes ensuing in a terrible dog fighting match. Thankfully however, The Humane Society of the United States is working very hard to end this barbaric sport.

Fortunately, lots of gray foxes live on the Caplan Wildlife Sanctuary in Mississippi, and on other animal sanctuaries, meaning that they will forever live in an area where all commercial and recreational hunting and trapping are prohibited.

Information about Grey foxes
Gray Fox – Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Description

Adult gray foxes and newborn gray fox pups tend to vary in color with the adults having a mix of white, red, black, and grey fur covering their body, and the pups usually being born with a single shade of dark brown fur enveloping their tiny bodies.

The gray fox, unlike some other foxes, has pretty short legs, moderate body length, meaning it’s not minuscule like some, and not huge like others, it also has a pretty elongated torso in comparison to some other foxes. The weight of the gray fox depends on its habitat, foxes that live in higher elevations tend to be a bit bigger than foxes that live on more level grounds, that being said, the average weight of a gray fox ranges between 3-5 kg, but can go up to about 9 kg.

As most species of foxes, the male gray fox tends to be larger than the female not only outwardly but also in its skeletal make up. Research has shown that male gray foxes have longer pelvises, wider scapulae, and limbs that are more robust than their female partners, however, generally gray foxes can grow up to 1 meter in length with their tails making up almost a third of their total body length!  

One unique feature about this fox is that you can tell is apart by its tail. The gray foxes tail has a very distinct black strip along the dorsal surface, and a prominent black tip at the end. The top of its head, sides, back, and rest of its tail is grey, with its chest, legs, belly, and sides of face being a gorgeous reddish brown color, last but not least, its cheeks, throat, and muzzle are covered in a crisp white fur. The eyes of the gray fox are oval in shape with a thick black stripe running from the inner corner of the eye down to its mouth.

Anatomy

When it comes to the anatomy of gray foxes, they are known to have extremely sharp claws that, like most foxes, stay out at all times. The purpose of having these sharp talents is for them to use in the digging of dens, gathering any food that may be under the ground, and climbing trees, which is a feature that is unique to only them.

gray-fox-anatomy

Their claws give them the astounding ability to climb vertically, up to 18 feet above the ground! Another perk in having such sharp claws is that they can use them to grab onto their prey and to fight off any predators they may come into contact with. The Gray Fox has a body that is built for speed,  they can move at a speed of over 28 miles per hour and can keep this pace up for a long period of time. Although they are slender in build, they are extremely strong animals.

The ears of the Gray Fox are special because of how long and pointed they are, this means that they are able to hear better than most animals. Not only do they have impeccable hearing, they also have great eyesight. Their sense of smell is also a prominent feature. With all these amazing qualities, they can use their combined senses in order to survive and thrive in whatever environment they may be placed in. 

Behavior

The gray fox is a type of fox that  loves to swim which is why they are often found living by bodies of water.  The purpose for this is they use the water as a hunting method, meaning that they chase their prey into the water, the prey drowns, and the fox goes into the water to retrieve its food. Since they can run more than 20 miles per hour with ease they won’t be tired when they get to the water but their prey will be exhausted, making it very vulnerable to drown.

The gray fox is a nocturnal animal, which means it hunts its food during the wee hours of the night, they also are known to be quite solitary animals, however, during the winter they will be seen socializing in order to find a mate, they also socialize with their offspring until they are ready to leave the den and become independent. The most unique feature of this animal however is its ability to climb.  

Unlike other canines, gray foxes have semi-retractable claws that stay sharp and enable gray foxes to grasp tree trunks. Gray foxes also have the ability to rotate their forearms and climb up a tree by grasping it with its forearms and pushing up against the tree with its hind feet.

They will climb as high as 50 or 60 feet and will jump from branch to branch so that they can rest, forage, or escape from other predators that may be trying to catch it. To get down from the tree, they run head first down the vertical trees with their head up to create balance, then lowering themselves down by their front limbs.

gray-fox-eating-fruit
Gray Fox Eating Fresh Fruit

Diet / Feeding

Due to their versatility, the Gray Fox has no trouble at all finding a variety of foods in their natural habitat. The gray fox is an omnivore, and its main diet consists of cottontails, voles, shrews, birds, and even snails!

Gray foxes that live in California tend to eat a lot of rodents, jackrabbits, and lagomorphs, while gray foxes that live in western parts of the United States eat mostly insects and plants. During certain seasons they will take advantage of certain nuts, berries, and fruits that grow in specific areas. In the summertime both crickets and grasshoppers are a food source that are very plentiful and readily available.

The Gray Fox will consume them any given day in order to help supplement their diet, and since these foxes have such a huge appetite, they will spend many hours per night searching for, and consuming whatever food they get. 

Reproduction

This particular fox is very picky when it comes to choosing their mate. The reason for this being the fact that when they choose a partner, they will mate with them for life. The only exception for this would be if its mate dies. However, even if their partner dies, it will take them several years before they give up their home and find another mate to live with. 

For the Gray Fox, the mating season depends on where they happen to live, and what climate they are in. To give the young the best chance of survival they are born during the warmer time of year, meaning that the time for mating is usually in the month of January, and can stretch into May. The gestation period for the Gray fox is about 51- 63 days, meaning that the female gives birth to its litter usually in late March, early April.

The size of the litter can range from one pup at minimum, to seven pups maximum. An issue with larger litters is that sometimes there won’t be enough food for all of them, meaning that only the strongest and the largest of the young will be able to survive this critical time. The pups tend to remain in the den with their mother until they are about three months old, during this period of time the male will have the responsibility to  bring the female food so that she can make milk to feed the young.

At about the three month mark, the baby Gray foxes will emerge from the den and will then need to figure things out on their own from that point forward. Within a month that they are out there on their own, the teen foxes leave their parents territory to go find their own land to live on. At this point the mating pair, mom and dad, will go their separate ways until the following mating season.

The life span of the Gray fox is quite long, they live an average of 16 years but that can increase to about 20 years if they are brought up in captivity. Like their parents, the young are ready to mate when they are about one year of age.

Photo: Bill Leikam / The Fox Guy

Habitat / Distribution

The Gray Fox is a species that is found in many locations around North America. The majority of them however live in Columbia, parts of Canada, and Venezuela. In the United States they are found living everywhere except in the open plains and in the Rocky Mountains.

Although this species of fox is so widely distributed, they may be hard to see as they spend most of their time in the brush or woodlands surrounding their dens. Sometimes they may be found in the open areas searching for food, but considering they are nocturnal, the chance of seeing one is quite small.

Predators

Although the Gray fox preys on animals, there are some carnivores that this fox must watch out for. Ifor the most part it is the young foxes that have left their parents’ den and are exploring their own territory that are the most vulnerable to getting preyed upon. The predators that the Gray fox has to be concerned with really depends on where the fox is found. The coyote is the most common predator of the Gray fox since they are carnivores that can live in a variety of habitats and environments. Other predators include bobcats, Great Horned Owls, and the Golden Eagle, all these birds specialize in hunting these smaller foxes because they are equipped with sharp, powerful talents that latch onto the fox and pull it up into the air. 

Another common predator of these foxes are humans, Due to the fact that they enjoy hunting the Gray Fox for sport. In some areas there are specific hunting seasons that are specifically made for hunting the Gray fox. Although some people hunt the foxes for sport, others hunt them to control the number of these animals that could quickly get out of hand, if that happened then the foxes would be fighting for food and territory and the chances of disease spreading across them would increase, making it dangerous for humans as well. 

Sometimes the Gray Fox is hunted to keep it away from livestock and pets.This has become more and more common too due to the fact that humans continue to move into the territories where these animals were once able to move around freely. Since they search for easy prey, they aren’t going to pass up the opportunity to eat animals that are herded into easy-to-grab locations.

Human Interaction

Gray foxes are not known to bother people or residential areas, however this is not always true mainly because humans take over lots of land for construction, farming, and raising animals, in turn, this limits the natural territory of these foxes then forcing it to have to repopulate in areas where there may be a lot of human traffic.

This animal likes to live in places that have a lot of trees and forests, so when those are cut down by humans it can cause a disrupt in its natural behavior making it more prone to have to hunt for food in farms, herding spots, and anywhere there may be food. As humans take over more and more land, the Gray fox has to adapt more and more to its surroundings, and due to this, they may become more of an inconvenience to humans because of their primal need to survive. 

History of the Red Fox

DNA testing reveals that the Gray Fox isn’t very closely related to other canines that exist. It is believed, however, to be the oldest of all fox species in the world! They are believed to be more than 10 million years old. However, there is still quite a bit of information we don’t understand about the evolution process for the Gray Fox.

It isn’t really known why they are so different in appearance and DNA structure than other species of fox, but a theory is that they were once isolated to a particular area of the world, and in turn needed to have certain characteristics in place in order to survive. Since the Gray foxes are highly adaptable animals and that is why they have been able to survive all these years and thrive wherever they are, and whatever circumstances they may encounter.

Foxes in Popular Culture

The fox is well known out there in popular culture. In many stories they are said to be evil forces that work with the supernatural. The fact that the fox is fast, swift, and comes out at night plays a vital role in these early stories. In other cultures the fox is a symbol of strength, power, and speed. That is why it is often celebrated in paintings and ceremonial rituals.

The wide white lines in the sky that often appear were believed to be the result of the fox running at the speed of lightening. The white streaks were believed to have been left behind by the movement of the fox tail. This lead to the concept of shape shifting and its connection to the fox.

There are many historical pieces of literature out there that features the fox. They include Aesop’s Fables and Canterbury Tales. There is an epic poem out there called Reynard the Fox. The Bible has many references throughout it about the fox too. Some children’s stories have a fox in them including Chicken Little, The Little Red Hen, Mr. Fox. In some of these stories the fox is portrayed as deceitful and tricking other characters. In others though he is portrayed as an outstanding role model to be admired.

The term fox is often used to describe a woman that looks gorgeous. This is used in many cultures out there by various generations. Even if it isn’t readily used now as much as in the past, anyone hearing it certainly does know what the meaning behind it happens to be. Due to the speed associated with the fox, there are several vehicles out there named after it. This includes the Volkswagen Urban Fox and the Audi Fox. There is even a Fox car rental company in the Western United States.

One of the most delightful Disney movies is the Fox and the Hound. This is story of a friendship that grows when a young fox is raised by an elderly lady. When he is released into the wild he is hunted by a man and a dog. That dog was his friend when they were younger. The fox doesn’t understand why they can no longer be friends.

However, in the end their friendship proves to be stronger than what nature has decided about a dog and a fox not supposed to like each other. There is plenty of moments in the movie that will steal the heart of both young and old. Disney also used the character of a fox in its animated portrayal of Robin Hood.

The use of it was to show the fox as being smarter than those after it. This production was very well received and continues to be one of the best selling Disney productions. Ironically, it is one that almost didn’t get produced as many didn’t think the use of the fox in it was a good idea.

The story of the fox and the crow is one that is well known. It doesn’t shed good light on the fox though. Instead, it spins the tale of the fox being clever enough to sweet talk the crow. The crow had a slice of cheese in its mouth and when the crow talked to the fox the cheese fell and the fox ate it. The sly fox got what he wanted and walked away leaving the crow with nothing.

The fox has been a part of popular culture since the beginning of time. It continues to have significant meaning – both for good and for bad – out there in different cultures. It is exciting to explore the different connections that it has. Some of them are brand new but many of them are very timeless.

Foxes in Zoos

The fox is a highly adaptable animal, so they have no trouble at all living in captivity. The life for one in the wild can be over in just a couple of years, but some have been known to survive for more than a decade. A fox in captivity though is able to live for approximately 20 years. With them in such an environment at zoos, humans can see the animals and learn more about them.

The Red Fox is the one most common found in captivity. This particular species has a reddish coat with shades of brown. It also has a very bushy tail. The Gray Fox is another that seems to be found often in captivity. The other species are out there but not to the same degree. By offering those species of fox in a zoo setting that are the most popular though more people will be coming to see those attractions.

Researchers also use this type of environment to be able to observe what they are doing on a daily basis. In many facilities they have special cameras that allow researchers to be able to see on computer screens what the fox are doing as they move around at night in these facilities. This has provided a great deal of information about their home range patterns and their hunting abilities.

One aspect of having the fox in captivity that has been studied is the fact that they are susceptible to various diseases in the wild. There haven’t been too many outbreaks in a captive state. When they do occur, experts can help to isolate the problem and to prevent it from spreading to other fox. This can help with offering help when the fox in the wild is affected and reduce fatalities.

The fact that the fox doesn’t suffer any type of stress when they are placed into captivity is a very important thing for researchers to evaluate. This is very different from what other types of animals experience. Perhaps learning why this is can help experts reduce the stress for other animals in the future when they are being placed into captivity.

One down side to the fox being so comfortable here is that too many people see them as being on the side of able to be domesticated. There are known operations in Canada for example where the fox is kept in captivity. The young are sold as pets and many people want to raise them as you would a dog. While they do adapt to such an environment a person always has to remember that they are indeed wild animals.

There is plenty of controversy out there about the fox in captivity though. Many animal right groups don’t seem to think it is necessary. The fact that the fox is quite versatile and can do well in a variety of environments means it should be able to thrive out there in a natural setting. They aren’t happy with these animals being kept in cages.

One way that zoos have tried to offset these controversies is to offer very large, open areas for the fox to reside in. They do have high fences around the perimeters of the fencing to keep the fox from escaping. However, they are able to roam around in a very large area just like they would in the wild.

Many of them go the distance to keep their hunting skills up too. For example they will bury pieces of meat in areas and then the fox will dig for it. They will put small animals including rabbits into the area so that the fox can hunt for them. The result of this is that the fox remain active and they continue to rely upon their natural instincts while they are in a captive environment.

Fox and Human Relationship

Most people aren’t willing to share their land with the fox. They have moved into locations though that once belonged to these animals. The fox is able to adapt to change but that doesn’t mean they are going to just go away because humans are around. The fox is know to consume small domestic pets as well as to get into the trash. Therefore they are often considered to be a nuisance by many humans.

There are many different types of disease that the fox can contract. In fact, this is one of the biggest causes of death for them. Many humans are afraid of them coming around because they don’t want to get a disease or for their pets to be exposed to them. A fox can do plenty of destruction to a vegetable garden as well. After spending time to plant everything this can be very upsetting.

The night time sounds from the fox, especially during mating season, can be scary for humans. Many people aren’t sure what they are hearing. They can be kept awake too by the sounds and no one does well in the morning when their sleep has been interrupted. For those that are farming, raising chickens can be difficult with the fox around. This is one of their favorite meals and they will come around to get what they can time and time again.

However, some in the world of agriculture actually welcome the fox. You see, their biggest pest is the rabbit and the fox consumes them. They incur far less damages from the fox than from the many rabbits that would be around without them to feed on them. However, this is one of the few times when they do seem to get a positive response from humans.

There are plenty of times out there in cultures around the world when the fox is viewed as one who is deceitful, evil, and can’t be trusted. When that type of message is part of the human mindset it can be very upsetting to have the fox around. The fact that there is so much false information out there about the fox is a big part of the problem.

Due to the fact that so many roads are built through the natural habitat of the fox, a large number of them are killed annually when they are struck by cars. Since these animals are out at night and they are well hidden in the dark, a driver isn’t able to see them until it is too late. In many areas, more than half of the animal deaths of the fox are due to these types of accidents.

Most humans find it acceptable to trap the fox and relocate them to new environments. Yet this can be a very expensive and time consuming process. There is also nothing stopping other fox from moving into that same territory so the cycle never ends. Hunting is legal in many areas to help with the control of fox populations in particular regions.

Even though it may see that people don’t like the fox, there are many people out there in awe of them. They have never seen one in the wild or they have seen one in a zoo setting. They don’t live in areas where the fox is found but they do know about it. They are interested in finding out much more about them.

Finding a balance in the world for the fox and humans can be very difficult. There are many sides to this particular story. However, the fox is trying to do one thing – that is to ultimately survive. To do so, it has to find a habitat that offers it shelter and food. This may not always be the places where humans would like for them to reside.

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