Red Fox (Vulpes
vulpes)
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The Red fox
The red fox is common in most of northern North America.
It is found throughout Alaska, except for some of the islands
of Southeast Alaska, the western Aleutians, and Prince William
Sound. © Patrick J. Endres
The red fox is the subject of many stories, songs, fables,
and parables. Its flashy good looks and its ability to live
close to people and their varied activities have undoubtedly
contributed to this notoriety. Probably a more important reason
is the fox's reputation for cunning and intelligence. Several
English expressions testify to the fox's wily mind: “sly
as a fox,” “foxy,” “outfoxed,”
and “crazy as a fox.”
The red fox is most suited to lower latitudes but does venture considerably far north, competing directly with the Arctic Fox on the tundra.. © Patrick J. Endres
Actually, the red fox has
well developed senses of sight, smell, and hearing, which
are responsible for much of its reputation.
The fox prefers broken country, extensive lowland marshes,
and crisscrossed hills and draws. It is most abundant south
of the arctic tundra. It is also present in tundra regions,
which it shares with the arctic fox. Where the ranges of the
two species overlap, the red fox is dominant. In these areas,
red foxes have been observed digging white (arctic) foxes
from their dens and killing them.
Description
Red foxes are members of the dog family Canidae, and their general appearance is similar to dogs, wolves, and coyotes. © Patrick J. Endres
Red foxes are members of the dog family Canidae, and their
general appearance is similar to dogs, wolves, and coyotes.
The red fox measures 22 to 32 inches (56-82 cm) in head and
body length, and the tail is 14 inches to 16 inches (35- 43
cm) long.
The red fox is most suited to lower latitudes but does venture considerably far north, competing directly with the Arctic Fox on the tundra.. © Patrick J. Endres The adult fox weight is from 6 to 15 pounds (2.7-6.8
kg), but it appears heavier than it actually is. The males,
or “dogs,” are usually heavier than the females,
or “vixens.” The red fox is usually recognized by its reddish coat, its
white- tipped tail, and black “stockings,” although
the species does have many color variations. The outside of
the ears may be black-tipped, while the inside is usually
white. The white tip on the tail will distinguish this fox
from other species, regardless of its color phase.
The occurrence
of black-silver phase appears to increase toward the north
and the northwest of Alaska. However, even where most abundant,
it comprises less than 2 percent of the population. © Patrick J. Endres
Red is the most common color, but the hair may be from light
yellowish to deep auburn red. Several color phases can occur
in one litter. Red foxes displaying a distinct color pattern
are referred by the name of that phase (i.e., red, cross,
silver, black). The cross fox, for example, has a black/brown
cross on the back and shoulders. The silver and black phases
are similar. However, the black does not have the silver-tipped
guard hairs characteristic of the silver fox.
Life history
Red foxes breed during February and March. The den is a hole
in the earth, 15 to 20 feet long, usually located on the side
of a knoll. It may have several entrances. Sometimes foxes
dig their own dens. More often, though, they appropriate and
enlarge the homesites of small burrowing animals, such as
marmots. They also will use abandoned wolf dens. Conversely,
wolves may enlarge and use a fox's den.
A litter of four kits is common, though a litter of
ten is not a rarity.. © Patrick J. Endres Within the den is a grass-lined nest where well-furred but
blind babies, called kits, are born after a gestation of 53
days. At birth, kits weigh about 4 ounces.
Normally only one litter is born each year. The kits' eyes
open 8 to 10 days after birth. The young leave the den for
the first time a month later. The mother gradually weans them,
and by the time the kits are 3 months old, they are learning
to hunt. Both parents care for the young. The family unit
endures until autumn, when it breaks up and each animal is
on its own.
Food
Red fox returns from a hunt with a ground squirrel, red squirrel and snowshoe hare crammed in the mouth, Denali National Park, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres
The red fox is omnivorous. Although it might eat muskrats,
squirrels, hares, birds, eggs, insects, vegetation, and carrion,
voles seem to be its preferred food. Foxes cache excess food
when the hunting is good. They return to these storage sites
and have been observed digging up a cache, inspecting it,
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