Red Fox
Geographic Range: Red foxes live in most of Canada and the United States. They are quite rare in the western U.S. but, they are abundant throughout Minnesota.
Status: Common.
Length: Approx. 3 ft. with a 13-inch tail.
Height: 15 – 16 in.
Weight: 7 –15 lbs.
Description: Typically, red foxes are a reddish color with white under parts and a white-tipped tail. They have slender legs and feet that are often black. There are 2 color variants of red foxes. The “cross fox” is mostly yellowish or grayish brown. The “silver fox” is blackish with a variable amount of white in the coat color. All color phases usually retain the black legs and white-tipped tail.
Habitat: Red foxes occupy forest-field edges and use open areas. They usually avoid dense forests and can be found in suburbs, parks or golf courses.
Typical Diet: Red foxes are opportunistic although, they usually eat small mammals such as rodents, rabbits and squirrels. They also feed on carrion, snakes, crayfish, salamanders, berries, nuts and seeds.
Similar Species: Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus).
Special Notes:
- Red foxes are most active at dawn and dusk.
- They are generally solitary hunters.
- Red foxes cache uneaten food.
- The male stays with his mate until the young disperse in late summer.
- Breeding season is between January and mid-March.
- The gestation period is 51-54 days.
- There are 5 – 10 pups in an average litter.
- Males provide food for the female and young.
- Red foxes compete for space with coyotes, which will kill foxes.
