Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
The
Red Fox is a doglike animal native to North America, Europe, Asia,
and North Africa. They are a rusty-red color, except for a white
throat and belly, and a white tip at the end of a bushy tail. Red Fox
are nocturnal animals with exceptional night vision and hearing. They
are also omnivorous, and will feed primarily on earthworms, rabbits,
birds, rodents, insects, and fruit.
The Red Fox is a solitary animal, spending the majority of its day in its den. The breeding season begins in winter, and females usually will have 4 or 5 cubs. The lifespan of the red fox is only about 18 months to 2 years in the wild, but up to 15 years in captivity. They have many enemies in the wild, including coyote, lynx, and humans, but are not endangered. Populations of red fox are now found throughout both rural and urban areas.
EcoTarium has two female foxes. One of the females came from the Science Center of New Hampshire, where she was born and raised in captivity. She cannot be released into the wild because she never developed the necessary skills for survival. She was born in late March of 1998. The other female fox was hit by a car on the North Shore. While recuperating in the care of humans, she became too imprinted and lost her hunting skills. This fox was born in April 1998.
Written by EcoTarium staff member Jen Lavoie