The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the steppes of Asia. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been introduced to Australasia, where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird populations. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN.
Ten Facts about Red Fox
- The animal is reputed to be one of the major threats to poultry farming.
- During winters, an adult red fox may be found curled up like a ball and completely covered with snow.
- It may be spotted in forests, grasslands, mountains and deserts. The distribution is not only limited to prairies and shrubland to forest settings.
- The red fox is omnivorous, hunts alone and lives on a flexible diet. It has in its menu, prey that can range from insects to cranes. Invertebrates, such as insects, mollusks, earthworms and crayfish form a major part of the diet of the animal.
- Populations residing in the southern regions, have their breeding from December to January, while for those in the norther parts, the mating season falls in between February to April.
- A female red fox will undergo mating with several males, but eventually settles down with only one.
- 51 to 53 days is the typical gestation period.
- A litter size can be of 2 cubs and in some cases, 12.
- In case you weren't aware, a group of foxes is know as a skulk and a juvenile of the animal is known as a kit.
- When there is an excess of food, the red fox will partially bury its food, covering it with soil, leaves, grass or the like and mark it with urine. This the animal does to preserve the food for future use.
