FOX 🦊

Fox is the common name of about 24 species of creatures classified in seven genera within the family Canidae. On the other hand, Vulpes vulpes, that is, the red fox, is the living species most commonly referred to as "fox" in the Western world.

Red foxes can be worldwide in many different habitats, including forests, grasslands, mountains and security. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large communities. The resourcefulness of the red fox gave him a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

Behavior and Communication

Red foxes are solitary hunters that feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small mammals - but their diet can be as flexible as their home environment. Foxes eat fruit and vegetables, fish, snow, and even ants. If living among humans, foxes may opportunistically eat trash and pet food.

Like a cat, the fox's thick tail helps with its build, but it has other uses as well. A fox also uses its tail (or "brush") as a warm blanket in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes.

Foxes also mark by giving off scent messages – they release trees or rocks to make their presence known.

Reproductive

In winter, foxes meet to mate. Vixen (female) typically give birth to 2 to 12 cubs. At birth, red foxes are actually brown or gray. They usually get their new fur by the end of the first month, but some red foxes are gold, reddish brown, silver or even black. Both parents act jointly to care for their offspring.

Red Foxes are hunted for sport, although not intensively, and are sometimes killed because they are frequent carriers of rabies infection.