# Red Fox (*Vulpes vulpes*) Red foxes are clever wild animals with bushy tails. They are skilled hunters and can live in many environments. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 367 - **Habitat:** Forests, grasslands, and urban areas. - **Also known as:** Common Fox, Fox, Silver Fox ![Red Fox](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424525/objects/4372.jpg) ## Appearance The Red Fox has a striking reddish-orange coat, a white belly, and distinctive black 'stockings' on its legs. Its long, bushy tail is usually tipped with white, setting it apart from other canids and providing balance and warmth. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Carnivora - **Family:** Canidae - **Genus:** Vulpes ## Interesting facts - A fox family lives in an underground den called an 'earth,' often dug by other animals. - Red foxes can make over 40 different sounds, from barks and yips to high-pitched screams! - Their pupils are vertical slits, like a cat's, helping them see even better in dim light. - These clever canines are found on every continent except Antarctica, showing their amazing adaptability! ## Special abilities - **Super Hearing:** Red Fox can hear scurrying prey underground because of their large, directional ears that help them pinpoint sounds. - **Pouncing Master:** Red Fox can leap high and pounce because of strong hind legs that help them ambush small animals hidden in snow or grass. - **Scent Detective:** Red Fox has an incredible sense of smell that helps them locate food, identify other animals, and avoid danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-110 cm - **Weight:** 3-10 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-6 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-6 - **Gestation:** 51-53 days ## Diet & Feeding Red foxes are clever hunters, eating almost anything they can find, from tiny mice to juicy berries! - **Age differences:** Kits initially drink milk, then transition to small solid foods brought by parents before hunting independently. - **Primary Foods:** Rodents, Rabbits, Birds, Insects, Berries, Fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — Primary small mammal prey. - **Hunts:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Important prey in many regions. - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Predator on young fox kits. - **Eats:** [Red Raspberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-raspberry) (*Rubus idaeus*) — Consumes wild berries for nutrition. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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:** 3/5 · Moderate Do not approach — foxes are wild and can bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red 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 Red Fox? 90-110 cm ### How much does Red Fox weigh? 3-10 kg ### How long does Red Fox live? 2-6 years ### How fast can Red Fox move? 50 km/h ### What does Red Fox eat? Red foxes are clever hunters, eating almost anything they can find, from tiny mice to juicy berries! ### Where is Red Fox usually found? Forests, grasslands, and urban areas. ### How does Red Fox hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park - [Bristol Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bristol-downtown-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Camp Evans](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-evans) — New Jersey, US · Historic Site - [Chandon Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chandon-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-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: [Red Fox: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox)