Species of foxes (foxes). Fox (fox) - types of foxes, where they live, how long they live, what they eat, photo Which group does the fox belong to?

1. Northern part of Africa, including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria.
2. The entire territory of Europe.
3. Asia to the very north of India.
4. North America to the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Australia (except for some northern parts).

Thus, the animal can be found on almost all continents; foxes acclimatize well and inhabit all geographical and landscape zones: steppes, deserts, tundra, etc.

Foxes give greater preference to those natural areas where there are ravines, hills and groves in open areas. These canids choose those natural areas where the snow cover is not very deep, which makes it difficult for them to move and see the area. The fox is a sedentary animal. But migration is also characteristic of some of these mammals. This most often occurs in the tundra, mountains or deserts.

Description of the fox

Foxes are incredibly beautiful animals to which songs, poems, fables and even paintings have been dedicated. Depending on their habitat, these predators acquire unusual appearance features compared to the usual forest beauties.

The fox got its poetic name for its coat painted in gold. The Slavs always observed the inhabitants of the forest, noticing any distinctive details of appearance, behavior or even voice. Translated from Old Church Slavonic, “fox” meant “yellowish.” That’s why cheerful red mushrooms are called “chanterelles.”

There is another version of the interpretation of the word. A number of etymologists believe that “fox” is derived from the Slavic “lis” (wife, spouse). This theory is also explained in different ways: some explain that some species of these predators create monogamous pairs and raise cubs together, others suggest that this is what cunning wives were called. There is a third assumption. The word "fox" comes from the Polish "liszka" (dashing). Thus, the mischievous nature of the animal is noticed.

Functions of a fox's tail

All foxes have a fluffy long tail, which not only decorates the animal, but also serves as a useful adaptation for survival. It allows you to develop greater speed when running, being a special pole for balance. The tail also serves as an effective rudder. When a predator (for example, a dog) is chasing a red-haired rogue and is about to grab it, the fluffy train turns sharply at a right angle and the animal instantly turns to the side. The pursuer rushes on in bewilderment.

Many have probably wondered: “Why do foxes have a white tip of their tail?” The answer is quite simple. A fox in the forest must constantly monitor its cubs. In order not to lose sight of the little ones among the foliage, a white beacon was created, which every little one cheerfully raises for mom.

The fox stores some nutrients in its tail for a rainy day. This fluffy tool also serves as a blanket for the animal. In cold weather, the fox covers its nose or cubs with its tail. Animals can even communicate using this body part! When raised, it shows the strength of the beast and its readiness to defend territory and prey.

Did you know that a fox's tail smells like violets? Right at its base there is a fairly large gland that produces the aroma of flowers. This is the perfect camouflage device! When escaping from pursuit, a fox in the forest covers its tracks and hides its scent.

How much does a fox weigh?

Depending on the species, foxes can reach lengths from 40 cm to 90 cm. The length of the tail of an adult individual ranges from 20 to 60 cm. And the weight is from 1.5 to 14 kg.

Fox's eyes

The eyes of a fox are one of the animal's main weapons when hunting. Vision is tuned to moving objects, which allows you to instantly notice potential prey. Even a butterfly flying past will not be able to hide from a clever predator. Also, all types of foxes are perfectly oriented in the dark, since it is at night that animals go hunting. Not a single bird sleeping peacefully on the ground or in the thickets will go unnoticed.

Foxes have excellent visual memory. This allows predators to remember places of refuge and paths. This ability is very important for survival in the harsh conditions of the wild.

Fox fur

The condition of an animal’s fur coat must be acceptable for normal existence in a certain area. All types of foxes are carefully prepared for the environmental conditions in which they will live.

In summer, the coat color of these predators is camouflage. Neither you nor the small animals will notice the approach of the fox. In the north, arctic foxes are dressed in white fur that blends with the snow. In the mountains, where rocks and poor soil combine, foxes camouflage themselves in spotted (gray with ocher) coats. Residents of dry deserts naturally received yellow or light ocher fur. In the forest, the common fox with its dull red robe hides well against the background of branches, earth and fallen leaves.

Until now, scientists have not figured out why the fur of these predators does not adapt in color to other seasons. The fact is that many types of foxes become brighter with the onset of winter. Red, brown and black animals stand out against the background of white snow, which, oddly enough, does not affect the efficiency of hunting.

However, depending on the temperature, the structure of the fox's coat changes. The animal adapts to nature. In summer, the fox's fur is sparse, dull, without undercoat, and lies tightly to the body. This makes it much easier to keep your body cool. In winter, after seasonal molting, foxes dress in thick clothes. The thick undercoat prevents heat from escaping and keeps you warm, like a down jacket. The upper fibers are impregnated with a special secretion that prevents the predator from getting wet (foxes often fall asleep in the snow).

Types of foxes

Below is a brief description of several varieties of foxes:

• Common fox (red fox) (lat. Vulpes vulpes) is the largest representative of the fox genus. The weight of the fox reaches 10 kilograms, and the length of the body including the tail is 150 cm. Depending on the area of ​​residence, the color of the fox may vary slightly in tonal saturation, but the main color of the back and sides remains bright red, and the belly is white. Black “stockings” are clearly visible on the legs. A characteristic feature of the common fox is the white tip of the tail and dark, almost black ears. Its habitat includes all of Europe, North Africa, Asia (from India to Southern China), North America and Australia. Representatives of this species of foxes happily eat field mice, hares, and young roe deer; when the opportunity arises, they destroy the nests of geese and wood grouse, and feed on carrion, beetles, and insect larvae. Surprisingly, the red fox is a fierce destroyer of oat crops: in the absence of a meat menu, it attacks cereal farmland, causing damage to it.

• American fox (lat. Vulpesmacrotis) – a medium-sized predatory mammal. The body length of a fox varies from 37 cm to 50 cm, the tail reaches a length of 32 cm, the weight of an adult fox ranges from 1.9 kg (for a female) to 2.2 kg (for a male). The back of the animal is colored yellowish-gray or whitish, and the sides are yellowish-brown. The distinctive features of this fox species are a white belly and a black tip of the tail. The lateral surface of the muzzle and the sensitive whiskers are dark brown or black. The length of the fur hairs does not exceed 50 mm. The fox lives in the southwestern deserts of the United States and north of Mexico, feeding on hares and rodents (kangaroo hoppers).

• Afghan fox (Bukhara, Balochistan fox) (lat. Vulpescana)- a small animal belonging to the Canidae family. The length of the fox does not exceed 0.5 meters. The length of the tail is 33-41 cm. The weight of the fox ranges from 1.5-3 kilograms. The Bukhara fox differs from other types of foxes in its rather large ears, the height of which reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes running from the upper lip to the corners of the eyes. In winter, the color of the fox's fur on the back and sides becomes a rich brownish-gray color with individual black guard hairs. In summer, its intensity decreases, but the whitish color of the throat, chest and belly remains unchanged. The Afghan fox does not have hair on the surface of its paw pads, which protects other desert foxes from the hot sand. The main habitat of the fox is the east of Iran, the territory of Afghanistan and Hindustan. Less common in Egypt, Turkmenistan, UAE, Pakistan. The Afghan fox is an omnivore. He eats locusts, mice and gophers with appetite, and does not refuse the vegetarian menu.

• African fox (lat. Vulpespallida) has an external resemblance to the red fox (lat. Vulpes vulpes) but has a more modest size. The total length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 70-75 cm, and the weight rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg. Unlike the common fox, its African relative has longer legs and ears. The color of the back, legs and tail with a black tip is red with a brown tint, and the muzzle and belly are white. A black rim is clearly visible around the eyes of adult individuals, and a strip of dark-colored fur runs along the ridge. The African fox lives in African countries - it can often be seen in Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. The fox's food consists of both animals (small rodents, lizards) and plant components.

• Bengal fox (Indian fox) (lat. Vulpesbengalensis). This type of fox is characterized by medium size. The height of adult individuals at the withers does not exceed 28-30 cm, the weight of the fox ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 kg, and the maximum body length reaches 60 cm. The length of the fox's tail with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. Wool, which forms the hairline , short and smooth. It is colored in various shades of sandy brown or reddish brown. This species of fox lives in the foothills of the Himalayas and thrives in India and in Bangladesh and Nepal. The Indian fox's menu always includes sweet fruits, but preference is given to lizards, bird eggs, mice, and insects.

• Corsac, steppe fox (lat. Vulpescorsac) has a vague resemblance to the common fox, however, unlike it, representatives of this species of fox have a shorter pointed muzzle, large wide ears and longer legs. The body length of an adult corsac is 0.5-0.6 m, and the weight of a fox ranges from 4 to 6 kg. The color of the back, sides and tail of the fox is gray, sometimes with a red or red tint, and the color of the belly is yellowish or white. A characteristic feature of this species is the light coloration of the chin and lower lip, as well as the dark brown or black color of the tip of the tail. The steppe fox lives in many countries: from southeastern Europe to Asia, including Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. Often found in the Caucasus and the Urals, lives on the Don and in the lower Volga region. Steppe foxes feed on rodents (voles, jerboas, mice), destroy nests, hunting for bird eggs, and sometimes attack hedgehogs and hares. There is practically no plant food in the diet of the steppe fox.

• Sand fox (lat. Vulpesrueppelli) has characteristically large, wide ears and paws, the pads of which are protected from the hot sand by a thick coat of fur. Unlike most of their relatives, representatives of this species of fox have well-developed not only hearing and smell, but also vision. The pale brown color of the back, tail and sides with individual white guard hairs serves as a good camouflage color for the fox in sandy and stone placers in its habitat. The weight of adult animals rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg, and the length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 85-90 cm. The sand fox lives in desert areas. Numerous populations are found in the sands of the Sahara Desert - from Morocco and sultry Egypt to Somalia and Tunisia. The sand fox's diet is not very diverse, which is due to its habitat. The fox's food includes lizards, jerboas and mice, spiders and scorpions, which the animal is absolutely not afraid of and deftly absorbs.

• Tibetan fox (lat. Vulpesferrilata) grows to a size of 60-70 cm and weighs about 5 kg. The rusty-brown or fiery red color of the back, gradually turning into the light gray color of the sides and white belly, creates the impression of stripes running along the body of the fox. Fox fur is dense and longer than other species. The fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau, and is less common in northern India, Nepal, and some provinces of China. The food of the Tibetan fox is varied, but its basis is pikas (hay stands), although the fox happily catches mice and hares, does not disdain birds and their eggs, and eats lizards and sweet berries.

• South African fox (lat. Vulpes chama)- a fairly large animal with a weight of 3.5 to 5 kg and a body length of 45 to 60 cm. The length of the tail is 30-40 cm. The color of the fox varies from gray with a silver tint to almost black on the back and gray with a yellowish tint on the belly . The fox lives exclusively in the countries of Southern Africa, with especially large populations found in Angola and Zimbabwe. An omnivorous species of foxes: they eat small rodents, lizards, low-nesting birds and their eggs, carrion and even food waste, which the animal looks for when entering private yards or landfills.

The character and lifestyle of the fox

The fox most often prefers to get its food during the day. But she has absolutely all the necessary skills for night hunting, which she sometimes does. Its sense organs are very highly developed; many predators can envy them.

The fox's vision is at such a high level that it sees everything even during rather poor visibility. Her ears, which constantly move, pick up the slightest rustling, this helps the fox notice rodents. At the slightest hint that a mouse is nearby, the fox completely freezes and tries in this position to figure out where and how the rodent is sitting.

After this, she makes a powerful jump and lands right on the victim, pressing him tightly to the ground. Each predator has its own territory marked with excrement. Many farmers consider this animal as an agricultural pest. This issue can be viewed from two sides, completely opposite to each other.

Yes, these predators are considered a threat to poultry; they can sneak into the chicken coop and steal it. But it was noticed that the fox chooses the weakest and most unadapted chickens. On the other hand, the “red beast” destroys rodents in the fields and near barns, which helps save and double the harvest.

For foxes, encounters with eagles, coyotes, wolves, bears, cougars and humans are very dangerous. In addition to the fact that people hunt the animal for its beautiful, valuable fur, pathetic hunting has long been open for the animal, during which horsemen with dogs surround the fox and drive it to death.

This particular type of hunting has been banned since 2004, but all other types of hunting remain legal. In Japan this animal is revered. For them, the fox is the God of rain and the messenger of the God of rice. According to the Japanese, the fox protects a person from evil and is a symbol of longevity. Native Americans differed in their opinions about this animal. Those Indians who live closer to the North say that she is a wise and noble messenger from heaven. Tribes living on the plains claim that the fox is a cunning and sneaky predator that can lure a person into a deadly embrace in a matter of seconds.

For us, a fox is a wise, decisive animal with an incredible desire for action. In the animal world, foxes are animals with enormous internal qualities and potential.

Where does the fox live: habits of the fox. Fox holes

Foxes don't always live in holes. They use these dwellings only when raising offspring, and spend the rest of their time in the open. Foxes have practically no sense of home. They settle where they like, and even then not for long. The fox willingly digs holes near human dwellings; sometimes foxes even wander into big cities. A fox often does not want to dig a hole on its own and uses other people’s homes; for example, a fox greatly respects convenient holes dug by a badger.

A seasoned fox acquires burrows not only to raise offspring in them or to shelter from prolonged bad weather. Burrows often serve as refuge for them in case of danger. An old fox, as usual, has not one hole where her brood is placed, but several at once, which provide her with a reliable shelter in exceptional cases.

Fox hatching holes are mainly located on the slopes of a ravine, not far from a stream, in the forest thicket, that is, where people usually do not wander. It happens that a fox returns from year to year to the hole she once dug. Then such “apartments” are constantly expanded, renovated, and acquired several additional “rooms,” which are usually located on 2–3 floors. Hunters are well acquainted with such holes and call them “centuries-old”.

Typically, a fox's hatching hole is equipped with several exits - holes, which allow it to quietly leave its shelter in case of danger. The main snout, which the fox regularly uses to enter and exit, is visible from afar. Usually this is a clean area, sprinkled with sand, which appeared here as a result of many years of cleaning the hole. Here you can often see fox cubs playing.

Shedding period for a fox

By the end of winter, the fox's coat, previously shiny and fluffy, begins to fade and becomes rough. The fox begins a period of molting - its hair falls out, and the animal loses its external attractiveness. Shedding occurs quite quickly, and by May the foxes acquire a new coat - a summer coat. If the fox is sick or thin, the molting period is extended, and then even in June you can see a fox with disheveled winter fur. Summer wool is not valued: it is coarse and sparse, since there is practically no undercoat - with the beginning of autumn the wool begins to thicken. And only with the onset of cold weather does fox fur begin to be considered full-fledged.

What does a fox eat? How does a fox hunt?

The fox is an excellent hunter. In addition to observation and intelligence, she has excellent memory, a good sense of smell and remarkably acute hearing. The squeak of a vole, for example, can be heard by a fox 100 meters away. Being a predator, the fox eats a wide variety of animals. She happily eats mice, hares, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles, digs earthworms out of the ground after rain, and catches fish and crayfish in the river. But the red-haired rogue especially loves to feast on birds. That's why she often looks into chicken coops. By the way, the fox is not at all scared by the human neighborhood, so you can often find a fox hole very close to the village. The fox successfully supplements its meat diet with berries, apples, and vegetables.

Each fox has its own individual feeding area. She jealously protects it from the intrusion of strangers and always knows what is going on near her hole. The fox usually hunts in the evening and at night, although there are exceptions. Some animals prefer to bypass the bedding areas of hares during the day, hunt for birds, and feed exclusively on large game, neglecting mice or frogs.

Despite the fact that the fox will not miss the opportunity to feast on a gaping hare, catch a grouse or destroy a bird's nest, in the forest it brings much more benefit than harm. The main food of foxes remains voles, mice, gophers and other rodents that cause harm to agriculture. And growing fox cubs in large numbers destroy cockchafers - known pests in forest areas.

Reproduction

Like the wolf, the fox is a monogamous animal that breeds only once a year. The time of the rut and its effectiveness depend on the weather and the fatness of the animals. There are years when up to 60% of females are left without offspring.

Even in winter, foxes begin searching for places to breed their young, and jealously guard them. There are practically no ownerless holes at this time; in the event of the death of one female, her home is immediately occupied by another. A female is often courted by two or three males, and bloody fights occur between them.

Foxes are good parents. Males take an active part in raising their offspring, and also take care of their friends even before the cubs appear. They improve the burrows and even catch fleas from females. If the father dies, another single male takes his place; sometimes the foxes even fight among themselves for the right to become a stepfather.

Pregnancy in foxes lasts 49–58 days. The litter contains from 4–6 to 12–13 puppies, covered with dark brown hair. Outwardly, they resemble wolf cubs, but differ in the white tip of the tail. At two weeks of age, fox cubs begin to see and hear, and their first teeth erupt. Both parents take part in raising fox cubs. The father and mother show extreme caution at this time, and if there is a threat, they will immediately transfer the cubs to a spare hole. They are also forced to hunt around the clock to feed their offspring. Growing puppies begin to leave their “home” early and are often found far from it, while still very small.

For a month and a half, the mother feeds the foxes milk; in addition, parents gradually accustom their cubs to regular food, as well as to obtaining it. Soon, the grown-up fox cubs begin to go hunting with their father and mother, playing among themselves, pestering their elders, and sometimes endangering the entire family. From the time of the rut to the final exit of the fox cubs, about 6 months pass. By autumn, the fox cubs are fully grown and can live independently. Males go 20-40 kilometers, females - 10-15, rarely 30 kilometers, looking for a site and a mate. Some females begin to reproduce as early as next year; in any case, they reach sexual maturity at the age of two.

Economic importance

The fox is of great economic importance as a valuable fur-bearing animal, as well as a regulator of the number of rodents and insects. At the same time, the damage that foxes cause to commercial game and poultry is much less than the benefit they bring by destroying rodents - grain consumers.

Foxes are bred in captivity specifically for their fur. At the end of the 19th century, a breed of silver-black (silver-brown) foxes was artificially bred. Then, thanks to selection, the quality of fur of this breed was significantly improved (compared to the wild type), and a number of other fur breeds were developed on its basis: Platinum, Bakurian, Dakota and others.

In southern Europe, wild foxes are the most common carrier of the rabies virus, so they are vaccinated everywhere.

Domestication

In 1959, D.K. Belyaev, director of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, began a long-term experiment on the domestication of silver-black foxes. During the experiment, only individuals that were most friendly towards humans were selected for reproduction. The result of the experiment was the creation of a population of domesticated silver-black foxes, which differ from their wild ancestors in physiology, morphology and behavior. The result was a population of domesticated foxes, some representatives of which showed signs that were absent in the original population: a curled tail, a change in coat color (the appearance of white spotting), a change in the proportions of the skull, and in some puppies drooping ears are noticeable at an early age. There has been a change in the seasonality of reproduction. Changes are observed in various systems, including neuroendocrine. The quality of the fur has deteriorated. This project is a model of the microevolutionary process and is carried out for research purposes.

• In ancient times, fox skins were the equivalent of banknotes.
• Foxes are very smart and cunning animals, often confusing the hunting dogs that pursue them.
• The fox received the nickname “Patrikeevna” on behalf of the Novgorod prince Patrikey, who became famous in his time for his cunning and resourcefulness in conducting trade affairs.
• The image of a fox is widely used in folklore and literature of different countries. In most of them, the animal is a symbol of cunning. However, in ancient Mesopotamia the fox was a sacred animal, and in Japan it was considered a werewolf.
• The most famous works in which the fox is one of the main characters are the late 12th century poem “The Romance of the Fox”, Carlo Collodi’s fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio” and “The Little Prince”, written by the famous Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
• The fox's hearing is so perfect that it can hear the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of 100 m.
• While eating, the fox chews the meat into small pieces and swallows them without chewing.
• The image of a small fennec fox is the logo of the Firefox line of multimedia products.
• The maned wolf is very similar to a fox, but does not belong to the genus of foxes. In addition, he lacks the characteristic feature of a fox - a vertical pupil.

Video

Sources

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fox#Reproduction https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox

Elizaveta Patrikeevna, fox Alice, little fox-sister... This cunning beast is not affectionately called in folk tales. Today in our article - the animal fox, description, photo and video about this amazing red forest inhabitant.

Red fox (common fox)

The fox is the main character in many fairy tales; she is always described as a cunning thief, with a beautiful “fur coat” and a fluffy tail. Why is the fox called cunning? Is she really like this, or only in fairy tales?

The red fox belongs to the Canine family. She has pointed ears and an elongated muzzle. This animal also has unusually beautiful long-haired fur and a long fluffy tail, which serves as a “blanket” for the front paws and nose while the fox is resting.

The size of this animal is medium: the body length is no more than 90 centimeters, and the tail is from 40 to 60 cm. The animal weighs from 6 to 10 kilograms. The age to which a fox lives in the wild is no more than 7 years.

The red fox has a white tip to its tail and black spots on its paws.

In nature, the common fox has different coat colors, but on farms where foxes are bred, there are representatives of platinum color and silver-black. Such rare colors are valued among hunters, so if a fox that has escaped from a fur farm comes into the hunter’s field of vision, he will not stop until he catches it.

Red fox habitats

This species of fox lives on almost the entire planet, except, perhaps, the Arctic tundra and islands. The red fox can be found throughout the Eurasian continent, North America, the northern part of the African continent and even in Australia.

What does the red fox eat?

The fox is a predatory animal, so a variety of small animals can end up on its dinner table. Basically, these are rodents. Foxes also eat birds, fish (on spawning rivers), carrion, insects and berries.

The fox's hunting methods are very interesting; it can adapt to the habits of any animal that it has its eye on as food. For example, she can push a hedgehog straight into the water so that it turns around and can be grabbed by its abdomen, which has no needles. When hunting wild geese, foxes prefer to act in pairs: one distracts the flock, while the other sneaks up and attacks the prey in one jump. And she easily digs rodents out from under the snow, finding a place by sound. After all, it’s not for nothing that foxes are known as cunning animals - what kind of ways do they come up with to get food for themselves!

Hunting takes place around the clock, although the most successful time is twilight.

In general, the fox can be called an omnivore. Its “menu” includes almost 400 species of various animals and dozens of types of plant foods. Scientists have concluded that the number of rodents (especially field mice) directly affects the population of red foxes, since mice are the main fox food.

Listen to the fox's voice

Many people know foxes as poultry stealers. Very often, a fox sneaks into the chickens' roosting area and steals them. Although birds are not considered the main food of the red fox, the animal often eats them. In addition to chickens, the fox loves the meat of wood grouse, geese and other birds.

Foxes living in deserts have to be content with the meat of reptiles. If there is a shallow river nearby with fish, then the fox will certainly come there to feast on, for example, salmon. During the summer months the animal eats beetles and other insects.

Plant food is of little interest to foxes, but in the absence of meat food, the fox will be happy with fruits and berries, as well as any greenery.

Reproduction and offspring

The period for the birth of puppies (as fox cubs are called) is mainly considered to be mid-spring. To breed, foxes dig a deep hole, but sometimes they can occupy someone else’s. Typically, one female gives birth to four to six cubs. Pregnancy lasts from 44 to 58 days. After birth, the mother feeds the offspring with milk for about 1.5 months. When the cubs turn 2 years old, they become fully grown individuals. Mature fox cubs are fed with live prey, and the fox cubs kill the “food” themselves.

The red fox or common fox is the largest representative of the fox genus from the Canidae family. The animal has an elongated muzzle and a fluffy long tail, which the fox uses as a warm blanket to cover its nose and front paws while resting.

The tail can reach sixty centimeters in length. The fur of a fluffy fox is long and beautiful, and also very warm. Depending on the habitat, the color and tonal saturation of the fur may vary, but basically the back and sides of foxes are bright red, and the belly is white.

The characteristic black stockings or blotches are clearly visible on the paws. But the main distinguishing feature of the red fox is of course the white tip of the tail and sharp black ears.

The fox's paws are quite powerful and muscular, despite the fact that they are a little short. Thanks to them and an even more powerful tail, the fox makes very decent jumps in pursuit of prey.

These qualities enable the fox to be in no way inferior to many predators in the struggle for life.

Foxes, bred in captivity on fur farms, come in unusual platinum and silver-black colors.

If a fox with a fur coat of this color manages to escape and catch the eye of hunters, it becomes the object of instant persecution, because... Fox skins of this color are very valuable.

Where does the red fox live?

The red fox lives almost everywhere on the planet: in Europe, Asia, North America, North Africa, Australia, with the exception of the Tundra and islands.

In Europe alone, the vast population of the common fox includes more than fifteen subspecies.

Foxes are able to adapt to any climatic conditions.

What does a fox eat and who does it hunt?

The red fox is a predator, so its diet is appropriate: small animals, rodents, hares, destroy the nests of wood grouse and geese, hunt roe deer cubs, and do not disdain carrion, various insects and beetles.

Well, domestic chickens and chickens, when the fox manages to get into the chicken coop, become tasty prey.

The most interesting thing is that foxes often destroy various cereals, in particular oats, when there is no way to get to anything meaty, and cause significant damage to agricultural crops.

It’s not for nothing that the fox is called cunning; she has a huge number of different ways of hunting and catching prey.

The fox simply pushes the hedgehog into the water so that it opens up and can be grabbed by the stomach, where there are no needles. It easily identifies mice, gophers and other rodents by sound and digs them out from under the snow in winter. In general, mice are a well-known delicacy for foxes, and in some regions the population of common individuals depends directly on the number of rodents.

Foxes hunt geese in pairs, while one fox distracts the gaping goose, the second quickly attacks the prey.

The fox is able to adapt to the habits of any animal that it has planned for lunch.

Foxes hunt around the clock when prey is discovered, but of course night is the main time for hunting.

When a fox walks through the snow, it places its hind paws strictly in the tracks of its front paws, forming a kind of chain.
Foxes that live near rivers eat fish with pleasure and are often caught during spawning or in shallow water.

In total, the diet of the red fox includes about four hundred species of animals and several dozen species of plants.

Foxes living in the desert are content with the meat of various snakes and lizards.

How a red fox reproduces and has offspring

Cubs of the common fox are born in most cases in mid-spring. When foxes plan to have offspring, they dig a deep hole, although if they find a ready-made one, they immediately occupy it.

As a rule, a female fox gives birth to from four to twelve puppies, as the cubs are also called. The fox's gestation period lasts from six to eight weeks, and after the fox cubs are born, the red mother feeds them with milk for a month and a half.

Little fox cubs look like wolf cubs, they can only be distinguished by the white tip of their tail. Fox cubs fully mature by the age of two and, having become adults, begin to hunt and kill prey on their own.

Red foxes form stable mating pairs and the male takes a direct part in raising the offspring.

Enemies of the red fox

The main exterminators of the red fox, of course, were and are hunters who, for the sake of beautiful and expensive fur, exterminate a huge number of foxes, which has an irreversible impact on the population of these beautiful animals in many regions.

And in the forest, the fox competes for prey and, of course, is at enmity with wolves and other large animals.

In many photos, the fox appears with a sly face, which is completely true.

Where is the fox's home?

To live, foxes build a den in an open place, in the grass or in the snow. The fox either digs the hole itself or can evict some animal, an arctic fox or a badger.

The hole has several entrances with underground holes for possible escape in case of danger. An old fox has several holes in different places where it takes refuge in case of impending danger.

Fox photo

The fox (common fox) is a predatory mammal. Belongs to the canine family. It is a representative of the largest species of the fox genus. There are more than 40 species of foxes in the world. The fox is characterized by a slender long body with short limbs, a bushy tail with a white tip, an elongated muzzle and dark pointed ears.

Its color can range from yellow to purple. Moreover, the further south a fox lives, the duller the color of its coat and the smaller its size. And vice versa, the further north a fox lives, the lighter the color of its coat and the larger its body size. In the northern regions you can find the black and brown fox.

Fox fur changes depending on the time of year. In summer it is short and sparse, but in autumn the fox's fur begins to grow and become thicker. The fluffy tail helps stabilize the body while running and helps keep it warm in winter in severe frosts.

The fox has very well developed hearing and charm, but its vision is not so well developed. The structure of her pupils does not allow the fox to distinguish colors. But the fox sees perfectly at night. The fox became famous for its cunning and dexterity. She knows how to cover her tracks well when hunting for her.

Fox habitat

Foxes have a very diverse and fairly extensive habitat. They can be found throughout Europe, as well as in most of Asia, North America, North Africa, and Australia.

Foxes live in burrows. Moreover, the hole does not have to be dug by the fox herself. They happily use holes dug by other animals, and can also live in large tree hollows, caves and other places. They like to live in ravines with vegetation and a sandy surface. A hole most often has several exits.

Foxes use the burrow as a permanent place of residence when raising their offspring, and at other times of the year they can spend the night in open areas.

What does a fox eat?

The common fox is a predatory mammal. Its diet includes more than 400 species of animals and more than 10 types of herbs. The fox is an unpretentious animal in food, and that is why its diet is so varied and its habitat so vast.

The basis of its diet is small rodents, and it is their number that sometimes determines the size of the population of this animal. Foxes also hunt hares, roe deer cubs, a variety of birds, and can destroy eggs from destroyed nests. And in the deserts, foxes even feast on reptiles. In some regions they feed on fish that died during spawning, and eat foxes and insects, larvae. And in difficult times they can also feed on carrion.

Reproduction of foxes:

Foxes are monogamous by nature. They give birth once a year. At the same time, foxes very carefully select a place for their future offspring. Both parents take part in raising the offspring. If the cubs' father dies, another single male takes his place. Sometimes bloody battles are fought for the place of becoming the fox’s stepfather.

A fox stays pregnant for 40 to 60 days. Capable of giving birth to up to 12 puppies at a time. Fox cubs are born quite small (40-100 g), blind, bald and toothless.

After two weeks, the puppies begin to erupt their first teeth, their eyes open, and their bodies begin to become covered with fur. For the first 1.5 months, the fox feeds its cubs with milk and also introduces them to other foods. Parents begin to teach their puppies to find food on their own. Already at an early age, fox cubs begin to leave the parental hole. At 6 months old, fox cubs become completely independent and can get food and hunt on their own. And at 2 years old, a mature fox is ready to become a mother herself.

Fox (common fox) video:

The lifespan of a fox is usually up to 10 years. In captivity, foxes lived up to 25 years.

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Fox is a generalized name for several species of mammals in the large canid family (Canidae). Twelve species of this group belong to the genus of foxes proper (true foxes), but some other species are also called foxes. Occupying different continents, all 23 species of foxes presented below have a characteristic appearance and a similar lifestyle, but at the same time, each species has its own characteristics.

The fox is a predator with a sharp muzzle, a narrow and somewhat flattened head, rather large ears and a long fluffy tail. From early childhood, we have all been familiar with the red-haired, thieving rogue - the heroine of many fairy tales and fables, who always manages to get around her relative - the wolf. Obviously, the cunning of the fox in the tales of many cultures reflects the plasticity of the species and its wide distribution. Indeed, foxes are very unpretentious to the environment, they know how to adapt well and have been able to settle quite comfortably on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

There are 3 separate branches of "fox-like" canids. The closest of them to the common ancestors are 2 species of gray foxes (Urucyon). The age of this genus is 4-6 million years. And although they are phenotypically similar to foxes of the genus Vulpes, they are not genetically related to them. The big-eared fox (Otocyon) is also an ancient species of canid, which is genetically and morphologically separated from all other foxes (age of the genus is 3 million years). These species make up the first branch.

The second branch is the species of the genus Vulpes (common foxes). This branch is divided into 2 parts - the common fox type and the fennec type. The fennec fox and the Afghan fox represent the result of an ancient divergence (4.5 million years). The branch comprising the species of the common fox groups includes the American corsac and arctic fox, the American fox, as well as many of the Old World species. They diverged only recently (0.5 million years) and form a separate subgroup within the common fox phylum.

The third branch consists of all South American species. This branch stands closer to the genus Caris (Wolves) than to other foxes. The little fox and Maikong are the ancestral forms of this group (age 3 million years); most other Dusicyon species arose relatively recently (1.0-2.5 million years ago).

Species of foxes of the genus Vulpes

The fox genus Vulpes is the largest and most widespread among canids, numbering 12 species of foxes. Representatives of this genus can be found in the far north, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The characteristic features of foxes of the genus Vulpes are a pointed muzzle, triangular erect ears, a long and fluffy tail, and a flat skull compared to the genus Canis. The color of the tip of the tail is usually different from the main color. There are black triangular markings on the muzzle between the eyes and nose.

Common fox Vulpes vulpes

Currently, there are about 48 subspecies, which are distributed from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of Asia and North Africa and Central America. They were also introduced to Australia. This is such a common species that it is most likely the most flexible of all carnivores.

Body length is on average 75 cm, tail – 40-69 cm, weight can reach 10 kg. The coat is rusty to fiery red above, and white to black below. The tip of the tail is often white. There are silver and other color varieties.

Bengal (Indian) fox Vulpes bengalensis

Inhabits India, Pakistan, Nepal. It lives in steppes, open forests, thorny bushes and semi-deserts up to 1350 m above sea level.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.8-3.2 kg. The color of the short, smooth coat is sandy-red, the paws are reddish-brown, and the tip of the tail is black.

Vulpes chama

Distributed in Africa south of Zimbabwe and Angola. You can meet it in the steppes and rocky deserts.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 30-40 cm, weight – 3.5-4.5 kg.The color is reddish-brown agouti with a silver-gray back, the tip of the tail is black, there is no dark facial mask.

Korsak Vulpes corsac

It is found in the steppe zone of the southeastern part of Russia, in Central Asia, Mongolia, in Transbaikalia to the north of Manchuria and the north of Afghanistan.

Externally, the corsac is similar to an ordinary fox, but much smaller. Body length 50-60 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2.5-4 kg. The coat color is brownish-gray, the chin is white or slightly yellowish. A characteristic feature of the corsac are wide, noticeably prominent cheekbones.

Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata

Inhabits the steppe areas of the highlands (4500-4800 m above sea level) of Tibet and Nepal.

Body length – 60-67 cm, tail – 28-32 cm, weight – 4-5.5 kg. The body and ears are colored light gray agouti, the tip of the tail is white. The long and narrow head appears square due to the thick and dense collar. The fangs are elongated.

African fox Vulpes pallida

Inhabits North Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, from Senegal to Sudan and Somalia. Lives in deserts.

Body length – 40-45 cm, tail – 27-30 cm, weight – 2.5-2.7 kg. The coat is short and thin. The body and ears are yellowish-brown, the paws are red, and the tip of the tail is black. There are no markings on the face.

sand fox Vulpes rueppelii

Found from Morocco to Afghanistan, northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, Chad, Congo, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan. Inhabits deserts.

Body length – 40-52 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.7-2 kg. The coat is pale sandy in color, the tip of the tail is white, and there are black spots on the muzzle. It has large ears that help regulate body temperature, and the fur on its paw pads makes it easier to move across hot sand.

American corsac Vulpes velox

Found from Texas to South Dakota. From 1900 to 1970 this species was found in the northern Great Plains, in Canada, but, apparently, the American corsac was completely exterminated: in 1928 the fox disappeared from the province of Saskatchewan, and in 1938 from the province of Alberta. However, it has now been successfully reintroduced to the Canadian prairie.

Body length – 37-53 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2-3 kg. The coat is pale gray in winter, red in summer; the tip of the tail is black, and there are black spots on the sides of the muzzle.

American fox Vulpes macrotis

Inhabits northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. Lives in prairies and arid steppes.

Body length – 38-50 cm, tail – 22-30 cm, weight – 1.8-3 kg. The coat is yellow-red in color, the limbs are reddish-brown. The tail has a black tip and is very fluffy.

Vulpes cana

Inhabits Afghanistan, northeast Iran, Balochistan; an isolated population is known in Israel. You can meet it in mountainous regions.

Body length – 42-48 cm, tail – 30-35 cm, weight – 1.5-3 kg. The color is most often uniform dark, in winter it is brownish-gray. Bare paw pads are adapted for life in areas with steep slopes.

fennec Vulpes zerda

It is sometimes placed in the genus Fennecus due to its large ears, rounded skull and small teeth. It lives in North Africa, across the entire Sahara east to Sinai and Arabia. Lives in sandy deserts.

Body length – 24-41 cm, tail – 18-31 cm, weight – 0.9-1.5 kg. - the smallest of all foxes. The coat color is cream, the tip of the tail is black. The paw pads are pubescent. A notable feature of the fennec cat is its huge ears, which make up 20% of the body surface, helping the animal cool down in the heat of the day (at high air temperatures, the vessels in the ears expand, increasing heat transfer). However, at temperatures below 20° C, the fennec begins to shiver from the cold.

Arctic fox(arctic fox) Vulpes (Alopex) lagopus

Modern scientific classification sometimes classifies the only genus of arctic foxes as a genus of foxes. The Arctic fox inhabits the subpolar zone; tundra and littoral areas of the sea coast.

Body length – 53-55 cm, tail – 30-32 cm, weight – 3.1-3.8 kg. There are two types of color: "white", which looks like taupe in summer, and "blue", which looks chocolate brown in summer. The fur is very dense, at least 70% is warm undercoat. have amazing resistance to cold.

Genus Urocyon (Grey foxes)

Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Found from the central United States to the prairies, from the south to Venezuela, from the north to Ontario.

Body length – 52-69 cm, tail – 27-45 cm, weight – 2.5-7 kg. The color is gray, with streaks, the throat is white, the paws are reddish-brown. A ridge of stiff black hairs runs along the dorsal surface of the tail.

island fox Urocyon littoralis

Distributed on the Channel Islands near California.

This is the smallest species of fox found in the United States. Body length - 48-50 cm, tail -12-29 cm, weight - 1.2-2.7 kg. Outwardly similar to the gray fox, but inferior to it in size. The island fox is mostly insectivorous.

Genus Otocyon (Big-eared foxes)

Big-eared fox Otocyon megalotis

Two populations are known: one occurs from the south of Zambia to South Africa, the other from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Prefers open spaces.

Body length – 46-58 cm, tail – 24-34 cm, weight – 3-4.5 kg. The color ranges from gray to dark yellow, there are black markings on the face, tips of the ears and paws, and a “strap” on the back. The ears are large (up to 12 cm). The big-eared fox differs from other species in its unusual dental structure: its teeth are weak, but together with additional molars their total number is 46-50. The diet of this species is also very unusual: 80% of the diet consists of insects, mainly dung beetles and termites.

Genus Dusicyon (South American foxes)

The habitat of foxes of the genus Dusicyon is limited to South America. The color is usually gray with reddish-brown splashes. The skull is long and narrow; The ears are large, the tail is fluffy.

Andean foxDusicyon (Pseudalopex) culpaeus

It lives in the Andes, from Ecuador and Peru to the island of Tierra del Fuego. Found in the mountains and pampas.

Depending on the subspecies, body length varies from 60 to 115 cm, tail length - 30-45 cm, weight - 4.5-11 kg. The back and shoulders are gray, the head, neck, ears and paws are reddish-brown; the tip of the tail is black.

South American fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) griseus

It lives in the Andes, the population is mainly concentrated in Argentina and Chile. Lives at lower altitudes than the Andean fox.

Body length – 42-68 cm, tail – 31-36 cm, weight – 4.4 kg. The color is mottled light gray; the lower parts of the body are lighter.

Paraguayan fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) gymnocercus

Inhabits the pampas of Paraguay, Chile, southeastern Brazil, from southern through eastern Argentina to Rio Negro.

Body length – 62-65 cm, tail – 34-36 cm, weight – 4.8-6.5 kg.

Sekuran fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) sechurae

It lives in the coastal deserts of northern Peru and southern Ecuador.

Body length – 53-59 cm, tail – about 25 cm, weight – 4.5-4.7 kg. The coat is light gray, the tip of the tail is black.

Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) vetulus

Inhabits southern and central Brazil.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is about 30 cm, weight is 2.7-4 kg. The muzzle is short, the teeth are small. The coat color of the upper body is gray, the belly is white. There is a dark line on the dorsal surface of the tail.

Darwin's fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) fulvipes

Found on the island of Chiloe and in Nahuelbuta National Park, Chile.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is 26 cm, weight is about 2 kg. The coat of the upper body is dark gray, the neck and belly are the color of cream. The species is endangered.

While traveling by ship in 1831, Charles Darwin acquired a specimen of the gray fox, which later received his name. In his journal, he recorded that on the island of Chiloe a fox was caught, belonging to a genus which appears to be unique to the island and very rare on it, and has not yet been described as a species. Although Darwin suspected the uniqueness of this fox, which was recently confirmed, the status of this animal remained unclear for a long time. It is distinguished by a dark brown, almost rusty head color and relatively short legs.

Dusicyon (Cerdocyon) thous

Distributed from Colombia and Venezuela to northern Argentina and Paraguay. Inhabits savannas and forests.

Body length - 60-70 cm, tail - 28-30 cm, weight -5-8 kg.

The coat is gray-brown, the ears are dark; tail with dark dorsal strap and white tip; paw pads are large; the muzzle is short.

(small fox or short-eared zorro) Dusicyon (Atelocynus) Microtis

It lives in the tropical forests of the Orinoco and Amazon river basins. Found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil.

Body length -72-100 cm, tail - 25-35 cm, weight up to 9 kg. The color is dark, the ears are short and rounded. The teeth are long and strong. Cat's gait.

Literature: Mammals: Complete illustrated encyclopedia /Translated from English/ Book. I. Carnivores, marine mammals, primates, tupayas, woolly wings. / Ed. D. MacDonald. – M: “Omega”, – 2007.

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