Red Fox
Description:
Coloration of red foxes ranges from pale yellowish red to deep reddish brown on the upper parts and white or ashy on the underside. The lower part of the legs is usually black, and the tail usually has a white or black tip. The average weight is 8 to 10 pounds. The eyes of mature animals are yellow. The nose is dark brown or black.
Habitat:
The red fox utilizes a wide range of habitats, including forest, tundra, prairie and farmland. They prefer habitats with a diversity of vegetation.
Diet:
The red fox is essentially an omnivore. It mostly eats rodents, lagomorphs, insects and fruit. It will also eat carrion. Red foxes have a characteristic manner of hunting mice. It stands motionless, listening and watching intently for a mouse it has detected. It then leaps high and brings the forelimbs straight down forcibly to pin the mouse to the ground.
Interesting Facts:
Red foxes are solitary animals and do not form packs like wolves. Individual adults have home ranges that vary in size depending on the quality of the habitat. They have scent glands that switch on or off depending on the fox’s activity level. They are no threat to humans.
