Interesting Facts About Fox

Fox is a common name for omnivorous mammal species, which belongs to Canidae family. They are small or medium sized canids, usually characterised by long and narrow nose and a thick, bushy tail. Among them, only 37 species are referred to as ‘fox’ of which only 12 species belong to ‘vulpes geniuses’ of original ‘fox’. Red fox is the most widespread and familiar species of fox, though different variety are found all over various continents. Their extensive presence all over the world and their reputation of being shrewd has added to their emergence in culture and folklore in societies all over the world. Though regarded as sly creatures and hunters, they are no different from other carnivores animals who hunt preys like wolves, eagles, coyotes and so on. Fox plays an important role in controlling the ecological balance as it keeps a check on the rodent population. Highly adaptable to any condition, they are found in all the habitats in the world. Read on to know some amazing facts about fox.

Fast Facts 

Scientific Name: Vulpes Vulpes
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Tribe: Vulpini
Type: Mammal
Diet: Omnivores
Size: Head and body, 18 to 33.75 in (46 to 86 cm); Tail, 12 to 21.75 in (30.5 to 55.5 cm)
Weight: 6.5 to 24 lbs (3 to 11 kg)
Group Name: A leash or a skulk
Lifespan: 2 to 4 years in wild, 11-13 years in captivity
Habitat: All over the world (woodlands, alpine areas, grasslands, deserts, urban environments)
Sexual Maturity: At 1 year of age
Gestation Period: 50 to 60 days
Number of Offspring: 2-12

Interesting And Amazing Facts On Fox

• Foxes are the members of the dog family, the Canidae, and hence they are called canids. They are comparatively smaller than the other members of the Canidae family, such as wolves, jackals, and domestic dogs. The canids are carnivores though their diet is general and opportunistic, adapting to whatever food is available.
• Foxes belonging to canid family include species such as red fox, kit fox, swift fox, fennec fox, arctic fox and gray fox. While some of these animals have become extinct, species such as red fox have adapted well to the changing times and have found food and shelter in urban environments.
• The red fox is not a choosy eater and eats almost everything ranging from beetles, worms and frogs to birds, mice, eggs and fruits.
• Foxes can see actively at night as their eyes are specifically tailored for night time vision. It also has an excellent hearing ability, which enables it to catch the prey, which is ticking 40 yards away.
• In Britain, the size of an average fox is a little bigger than cat.
• Foxes make a tucked away among rock crevices and abandoned rabbit burrow as their home. A gray fox opts for a tree hole as its den.
• Unlike other canids, foxes do not live in packs. They live in small groups and are opportunistic feeders who like to hunt their prey.
• Foxes are solitary animals, unlike wolves and dogs, as they like to hunt their prey alone.
• Just like cats, foxes often play with their prey before they kill it.  If they are not hungry, they may catch a mice just for the sake of playing and will let it go once they are done.
• Foxes meet to mate in winter. The vixen (female fox) gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups.
• Foxes are termed as mesocarnivores. They act together with many other species in ecosystems through predation, competition and mutualism.
• Foxes have thick tails, which aids its body balance. It also uses its tail as a cover in cold weather and as a sign flag to converse with other foxes.
• Foxes communicate with each other through barks, growls, whimpers and screams.
• Gray fox is one of the canine species who knows how to climb trees, the other being raccoon dog.
• One of the fox species, gray fox generally lives in wooded areas, farmlands and prairies.
• Red fox is the most popular predator in Britain. Though it has been killed and trapped by men for centuries, it has not been extinct mainly due to its capability to adapt to anywhere in the world.
• Fox hunting was a well-liked game in United Kingdom in the 16th century. Hunting with dogs is banned there though hunting without dogs is still allowed. The sport is still in practise in several other countries including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Russia and the United States.