Mammals · Carnivora · Canidae

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

It is the most widely distributed carnivore in the world, present either naturally or as an introduced species across Europe, Asia, North America, North Africa and Australia.

Weight

4 kg – 9 kg

Size

70 cm – 1 m

Lifespan

3 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

Temperate forestGrasslandOmnivore Nocturnal Solitary Temperate forest Grassland Mammal

81countries 73parks34same family

Fun facts

It is the most widely distributed carnivore in the world.
It may use the Earth's magnetic field to help judge distance when pouncing on prey hidden under snow.
It feeds on small mammals, birds, insects, fruit and carrion.
sentidosIt can sense the Earth's magnetic field and use it to judge the distance of a pounce on prey hidden under snow or grass.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Extremely adaptable: forests, grassland, mountains, farmland and urban areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Birth weight: 50 - 150 grams (~100 g as a reference)
Size at birth: Blind at birth; the eyes open at 9-14 days
Sexual maturity: 10 months
Gestation / incubation: 49-56 days (usual reference ~52 days)
Litter / clutch size: 1 to 13 young per litter (average 4-6)
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of 21.3 years in captivity

Sources consulted: Animal Diversity Web; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Corner; A-Z Animals; Vermont Fish & Wildlife; University of Minnesota Duluth; NSW DPI