
Photo: Surya · CC0
Vulpes vulpes
Diet
Rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and carrion
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts, farmland, and settlements
Range
Much of the Northern Hemisphere
Litter size
1–9 pups
Gestation period
49–55 days
Size
455–900 mm head-and-body length; tail 300–555 mm
Weight
3–14 kg
The red fox is the largest member of the genus Vulpes, with a head-and-body length of 455–900 mm and a tail measuring 300–555 mm. Typical animals have reddish-yellow to deep reddish-brown upperparts, paler underparts, dark lower legs, and a white- or black-tipped tail. Cross and silver color forms also occur. Adults have yellow eyes, a dark nose, pointed ears, a narrow muzzle, and a long, heavily furred tail. (Animal Diversity Web)
Red foxes occupy forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts, farmland, and settlements across much of the Northern Hemisphere. They are mainly nocturnal or crepuscular and generally forage alone, although an adult male, one or two females, and their young may share a range. These adaptable omnivores eat rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, and carrion, caching surplus food for later use. Litters of one to nine pups follow a gestation of 49–55 days. (Animal Diversity Web)