# Gray Fox (*Urocyon cinereoargenteus*) The Gray Fox is a clever little animal with a beautiful gray coat. They are great climbers and can often be seen resting in trees. These foxes are shy and prefer to stay hidden during the day. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Tree Fox ![Gray Fox](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gray_fox.jpg&width=800) Photo: VJAnderson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gray_fox.jpg) ## Appearance The Gray Fox has grizzled gray fur on its back, head, and sides, with reddish-brown patches on its neck, legs, and flanks. Its belly is white, and a distinct black stripe runs down its bushy tail, ending in a black tip. Unlike other foxes, it has short, stocky legs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Urocyon ## Interesting facts - Gray Fox pups, called kits, stay with their parents for many months learning to hunt. - Gray Foxes are one of the most ancient canids, evolving millions of years ago! - Their diet is incredibly varied, eating everything from mice to ripe berries and insects! - They are the only canid that can semi-retract its claws, like a cat! ## Special abilities - **Arboreal Acrobat:** Gray Fox can climb trees with ease, using strong claws and flexible wrists to escape predators or find food. - **Climbing Paws:** Gray Fox has semi-retractable claws, rare for a canid, that help them grip tree trunks like a cat! - **Omnivore's Delight:** Gray Fox can thrive on a very diverse diet, switching from meat to fruits and nuts with the seasons. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 76-112 cm - **Weight:** 3.6-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 48 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-7 - **Gestation:** 53-63 days ## Diet & Feeding A versatile omnivore, eating small animals, birds, insects, and lots of fruits and plants. - **Primary Foods:** rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, berries, nuts - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — A common prey item for Gray Foxes. - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Small mammals form a key part of their diet. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Eats acorns and uses trees for shelter. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Predates on young kits or smaller adults. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a fox, it's best to watch from a distance and not approach it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Gray Fox? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Gray Fox? 76-112 cm ### How much does Gray Fox weigh? 3.6-7 kg ### How long does Gray Fox live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Gray Fox move? 48 km/h ### What does Gray Fox eat? A versatile omnivore, eating small animals, birds, insects, and lots of fruits and plants. ### Where is Gray Fox usually found? Forests ### How does Gray Fox hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alabama City Wall Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-city-wall-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gadsden Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gadsden-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-luis-obispo-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Gray Fox](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/gray-fox) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Gray Fox: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gray-fox)