The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia and North Africa. It is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List and has expanded its range due to human activity, being introduced to Australia where it poses a threat to native wildlife.
Originating in Eurasia over 400,000 years ago, the red fox has adapted well to various environments. It exhibits various colorations, including leucistic and melanistic individuals. There are 45 recognized subspecies, divided into northern and southern types.
Typically found in family groups, red foxes primarily feed on small rodents but also consume rabbits, birds, and fruits. They face threats from larger predators like wolves and eagles. Their long history with humans includes hunting for fur and adaptation to suburban areas. In Russia, domestication efforts have led to the creation of the domesticated silver fox.
Red foxes establish territories, which they mark with urine, using different postures for precision. They often live in family units where older siblings assist in rearing younger kits. If conditions allow, non-breeding foxes may stay with their families rather than leave to find their own territory.
Red foxes reproduce once a year in spring, with vixens entering oestrus for three weeks. The gestation period lasts 49–58 days, generally resulting in a litter of four to six kits, although larger litters can occur. Kits are born blind, deaf, and toothless, weighing 56–110 g. The mother stays with them for 2–3 weeks, while the male provides food. Kits begin to open their eyes after 13–15 days, with coat color changing and their ears becoming erect by a month old. They start leaving the den and trying solid food at 3–4 weeks. The lactation period lasts 6–7 weeks, and kits reach adult proportions at 6–7 months. Some vixens may first breed at 9–10 months. In the wild, red foxes typically live up to 5 years, while in captivity, they can live up to 15 years.
The Red Fox is an omnivore with a diverse diet, consuming over 300 animal and several plant species. Its primary diet includes small rodents such as voles, mice, and ground squirrels, along with birds, leporids, and insects. It typically targets prey weighing up to 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) and requires about 500 g (18 oz) of food daily. In autumn, fruits like blueberries, apples, and acorns can make up a significant portion of its diet. The Red Fox is known for preying on game birds, hares, and young ungulates, especially in preserves and poultry farms.
Visual cues are crucial for its hunting behavior, which primarily occurs in the early morning and late evening. While it usually hunts alone, it may gather in resource-rich areas. The fox employs keen hearing to locate prey, often leaping up to 5 m (16 ft) to catch it. It is protective of its food and has been known to engage in surplus killing, notably affecting game and poultry populations. Interestingly, a study found that successful hunting in challenging terrains may relate to the fox’s alignment with the Earth’s magnetic field.
