Common name: Red Fox
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes
Conservation Status: Least Concern
At the zoo: Holly (female, 10y) and Mayhem (male, 10y); you can find them in the SE corner of the zoo.
Habitat:
Red Foxes are found throughout the world in forests, grasslands, and deserts. They have the largest range of any land carnivore. They are found in every province in Canada as well as the US, Europe, Asia, North Africa and Australia. The North American subspecies has an extant range (where they were found originally) throughout North America. The European subspecies has an extant range of Europe, Asia, and North Africa; they were introduced to North America and Australia by European colonizers.
Diet:
Red Foxes eat rodents, rabbits, birds, small game, fruit and vegetables, fish and frogs.
Median Life Expectancy:
2 - 15 years
Biology:
Red Foxes have very long bodies, with short limbs and a large fluffy tail. They can have black on the tips of their tails, legs and ears. Their tails are used for balance, warmth in the winter and as flags to communicate with other foxes.
Red foxes are not currently under threat because of their ability to adapt well around humans. The species has a long history of association with humans, hunted for sport and fur, and a wide representation in human folklore and mythology. Aside from humans, other threats include wolves, coyotes, golden jackals, and medium to large felines.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Red Foxes come in a variation of colours, from red-orange, to brown, black, and even silver!
