The fox is without a doubt the most interesting animal on our planet. How many stories, fables and fairy tales we know about this fiery red beauty. It is not only beauty that makes her so popular, but also a peculiar disposition, intelligence and ingenuity. The wild fox caused a lot of trouble with its thieving agriculture especially attracted her Domestic bird. However, in addition to the well-known red fox to all of us, there are more than 40 species of it in the world, different in size and color of the fur. All of them are united by the canine family, and have their characteristic features. Inhabiting different continents, all species are united by basic similarities, way of life, way of feeding and reproduction.

The brightest of the kind of foxes. The red fox can be found throughout Eurasia and North America, it is difficult to say where they do not live, this is all her home. Her phenotype is characterized by a strong body structure, large size, good health, and a frisky temperament. Animals of this type have a thick, lush and silky hairline of the same length throughout the body. Rib cage light or yellowish, belly white or reddish (as well as sides), or with a black spot on a red background. The ears and toes are black. The tip of the tail is usually white, but black hair is scattered along the entire length, and not rarely and over the body. The down throughout the body is gray or brown in various shades. The ridge and sides of the animal are bright red in color, which can be of various shades. Red fox the largest species of the fox genus. The length of her body reaches 90 cm, tail -60 cm, weight from 6 to 10 kg.

The fox is the most typical predator who does not know pity for the object of his hunt. Her usual diet is rodents, insects, but she is not averse to eating hares, bird eggs, and even the bird itself. Jumping high like a cat, it will not be difficult for her to catch her.

Vegetable foods, such as fruits, berries or fruits, although they do not play a role in the livelihood of the fox, are included in its diet.

Foxes breed only once a year. Pregnancy of the female lasts from 7 to 9 weeks. From 4 to 12 puppies are born in the litter, painted in a dark brown color. Outwardly, they can easily be confused with wolf cubs, if you do not see the white tip of the tail. After 14 days, the cubs can already see and hear, and can already boast of sharp teeth. Foxes cannot be called bad parents; both mom and dad take care of the offspring. However, the constant absence of parents in search of prey leads to early development offspring, and already after 1.5 months of life, fox cubs can gradually develop a new territory and eat adult food. After half a year, they are considered quite adults and can live independently.

In Alaska, there is a mutation of the Canadian red breed, the black-brown fox. Currently, various breeds of foxes are known in fur farming, characterized by the type of color of animals bred by humans in captivity to obtain fur, which are the result of crossing the red fox and silver fox.

Korsak, the second representative of the fox genus. Outwardly, it resembles a red wild fox, but smaller in size with large ears and long paws. With wide cheekbones and not small triangular ears, the corsac's muzzle is short and pointed. The fur of this chanterelle is light gray and reddish gray in color. But, there are individuals with an element of red on a fur coat. The belly is white, or slightly yellowish, and the chin is light. The tail tuft is dark brown or completely black. In winter, the animal can observe the appearance of a gray coating near the ridge. Hair length in animals is also subject to seasonal variation. In winter, he changes his short summer coat for a longer and heavily pubescent fur. It is a colonizing species of southern and eastern parts Europe and Asia. They inhabit steppes and deserts with a small amount of vegetation. The corsac avoids dense thickets, which is why it is also called the steppe fox. As a dwelling, it exploits ready-made badger burrows, burrows of marmots, gerbils or other foxes.

Corsacs usually hunt at night. The main diet is made up of rodents, reptiles, insects or birds, which competes with the common fox. With a shortage of food, it does not disdain carrion or various garbage. Vegetable food does not attract them. At the sight of a man, the corsac shows fox cunning, he often pretends to be dead, and runs away at the first opportunity. Interestingly, representatives of this species are apparently monogamous, which is not typical of an ordinary fox. And, in the rest, with regard to reproduction, nutrition of puppies, they are almost similar. The female bears from 2 to 11 puppies (rarely 16) within 2 months. From the second week, the offspring shows the first activity, they begin to see and hear. After 5 months they leave their home.

Korsak is listed in the Red Book.

This fox is also a representative of the fox genus. It lives in the Middle East up to Afghanistan. The Afghan fox is not afraid of a hot climate, it can be found both in the mountains and in the most arid areas, for example, in the territory Dead Sea. This representative of the fox family cannot boast of large size and bright color, but its long tail with thick fur is equal in length to the body, and draws attention to its external exterior. The height of the foxes does not exceed 30 cm, and the body length ranges from 45 to 55 cm, with a weight of 1.5-3 kg.

The animal has a small graceful head with a short and pointed muzzle, on which a black strip extends symmetrically to each other from the eyes to the upper lip. Nature, having awarded this fox with large ears, which serve it not only as an organ of hearing, but also as a heat sink in hot weather, deprived it of a protective thick layer of hair that covers the paw pads of all species of desert foxes, protecting it from hot sand.

In summer, the fox fur is covered with an unremarkable steel color with a lightish stripe on the neck and belly. Depending on where they live, animals can be light brown or almost black. And in winter, the fur coat of the Afghan fox is painted in rusty-brown hair, with a gray undercoat of black color with guard hairs. Looks very velvety and fluffy. The nutrition of the Afghan fox is quite different from other species. In addition to insects and rodents, plant food plays an important role in her life. In "love" these chanterelles are fickle, and form a couple only for the period of the mating season. In caring for offspring, a large role is given to the female. The male can only perform the protective function of the den. A fox's pregnancy lasts about 2 months, compared to common chanterelle and even the corsac fox, which does not differ in size, the Afghan fox has a low fecundity. 1-3 cubs are born, less often three.

This species is also listed in the Red Book.

They are inhabitants of dry, sandy, siliceous desert types stretching from Africa to the Sahara. African foxes lead a rather secretive way of life. From known facts The existence of this species, we can say that these are rather small representatives of foxes: body size 38-45 cm, small tail up to 30 cm and height at the withers up to 25 cm, weight from 1.5 to 3.6 kg. The color of the body can be light red or brown, the tail is darker with a black tip. The back along the entire length in the center is colored with a dark stripe. The belly, muzzle and outer sides of the ears are white. The eyes of older individuals are framed with black edging. Interestingly, representatives of this genus of foxes have odorous glands at the base of the tail. The diet of the African fox is similar to that of other foxes.

A feature of their lifestyle is the presence of so-called family groups, which consist of the main couple, a single male and growing young foxes that have not yet reached sexual maturity. The breeding season of the African fox is unknown. Pregnancy in a female is faster and lasts almost a month and a half. The offspring has from 3 to 6 babies, in the upbringing of which all members of their social group take part.

Bengal fox or Indian

This is an animal of moderate build. The length of the body reaches 45-60 cm. The tail is half the length of the body, the height of the fox varies up to 28 cm. The brown coat can be of various shades: from light to red. But, the tip of the tail remains always black. Inhabits the foothills of the Southern Himalayas, Nepal, Bangladesh and India. Avoids dense vegetation, but the bare desert is also not to her taste. The Bengal fox feels good in sparsely planted forests, in fields and in the mountains.

This chanterelle also does not adhere to a diet; floristic food in its diet is a rare occurrence. The objects of her hunting are insects, arthropods, reptiles, birds, eggs and rodents. Bengal foxes are monogamous. Females have 2-5 puppies after a month and a half of pregnancy.

It is an indigenous inhabitant of the desert stretching from Morocco to Tunisia, Egypt to Somalia. Fenech is the tiniest fox unusual appearance. In size, this animal is like a domestic one.

cat. At the withers, the fennec fox reaches 18-22 cm, the body length is on average 30 cm, and the animal weighs one and a half kilograms. The muzzle is short and sharp. great attention Fenech attracts with its ears. He is the owner of the largest ears disproportionate to the head among predators. Their length reaches almost half of the body of the animal. However, such a disharmonious addition of the fennec fox is due to its habitat. Ears, as well as pubescent feet, inherent in all steppe foxes, serve them for cooling.

The Fenech's coat is thick, silky and long. Its upper part is red or fawn, and white below. The tail is fairly hairy, with a black tip. In the wild, it digs a deep burrow with numerous tunnels, in the vicinity of bushes from thickets of grass. Fenech does not like loneliness; their family groups consist of 10 individuals. The members of such a family are usually the "married" couple, and prepubescent children from the previous litter. Chanterelle's food consists of small vertebrates, eggs, insects, carrion, plant rhizomes and fruits.

In catching for food, they show dexterity, agility, mobility and the ability to jump high and far, up to 70 centimeters in height.

The fennec fox breeds once a year. Puppies are born in 50-53 days.

The female does not leave the lair until they are two weeks old, and does not allow the male to approach them. After 3 months of life, babies can already leave their mother.

A small fennec fox can also be found at home as a pet. Fans of exotic animals are ready to pay a considerable amount for a pretty Fenech. Domestic phoenixes are very inquisitive, affectionate and amusing animals.

This is one of the representatives of the genus of South American foxes, an inhabitant of the steppes of South America. It has rather large dimensions: height 40 cm, body length 65 cm, weight from 4 to 6.5 kg. The back of the fox is colored from reddish to black, with dark stripes in the middle. The top and sides of the head are red, Bottom part heads and white. The ears of the animal are triangular in shape, red in color with a white pile inside. Back shoulders and sides are street grey. Hind feet are grey, flanked with black spots below. The sides of the forelimbs are red. This fox is lucky in the variety of food on the continent. In addition to the main diet: rodents, insects, birds, the Paraguayan fox can eat snails, scorpions, fish, crabs, opossums or armadillos. Pregnancy in the species lasts almost two months. The offspring has from 3 to 6 cubs, which are looked after by both parents. At 2 months they are considered fully grown.

It is the only species of the genus gray foxes itz.

Thickets of bushes, forest edges and mountain copses of southern Canada and northern South America are its native habitat. The tree species is characterized by an elongated, rather well-fed body on short and strong limbs, a long hairy tail. With the size (body length 48-69 cm, tail length 25-47 cm, height at the withers up to 30 cm) of foxes, quite large individuals up to 7 kg are found. Their average weight ranges from 3 to 6 kg. Unlike the American, Afghan fox and corsac, tree fox has a rather remarkable appearance. The fur on the back, sides and upper part of the tail is gray or silvery. The back can be decorated with barely noticeable dark stripes. The neck, chest, front part of the forelimbs and the inside of the hind limbs are painted in white tan. Bright red-red spots flaunt on the crown, neck, edges of the abdomen and the outer parts of the paws of the animal. The muzzle of the fox is gray.

The gray fox is perfectly adapted to climb trees; for this, it has two dozen strong hook-shaped claws.

diet arboreal foxes are quite diverse. For lunch, the predator can also eat fresh meat of small rodents, or it can get by with lean food in the form of nuts, fruits, and grains. And, in some cases, it will not pass by carrion. The ability to climb trees makes it easier for the fox to succeed in hunting for squirrels, birds or their nests. Foxes lead a sedentary lifestyle in pairs. The place for the lair of animals is very diverse. These can be abandoned burrows, and hollow trees, and crevices of rocks, voids under a pile of stones and trunks. The offspring of the couple appears after 51-63 days of gestation. On average, female foxes give birth to 3 to 7 black puppies.

Fox (fox) ( Vulpes) - it predatory mammal, belongs to the carnivorous order, canine family. The Latin name of the fox genus, apparently, comes from distorted words: the Latin "lupus" and the German "Wolf", translated as "wolf". In the Old Slavonic language, the adjective "fox" corresponded to the definition of yellowish, red and yellowish-orange color, characteristic of the color of the widespread common fox.

Fox (fox): description, characteristics, photo

Depending on the species, the size of the fox varies from 18 cm (in the fennec) to 90 cm, and the weight of the fox ranges from 0.7 kg (in the fennec) to 10 kg. Foxes have a characteristic generic feature - a slender, elongated body with rather short limbs, a slightly elongated muzzle and tail.

The fluffy tail of the fox serves as a kind of stabilizer while running, and in winter cold is used for additional protection from frost.

The length of a fox's tail depends on the species. In it it reaches 20-30 cm. The length of the tail of the common fox is 40-60 cm.

Foxes rely more on touch and smell than sight. They have a sensitive sense of smell and excellent hearing.

Their ears are rather large, triangular, slightly elongated, with a sharp tip. The fennec fox (up to 15 cm in height) and the big-eared fox (up to 13 cm in height) have the largest ears.

The vision of animals, adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle, allows representatives of the genus to respond perfectly to movement, however, the structure of the eye of a fox with vertical pupils is not adapted for color recognition.

In total, the fox has 42 teeth, except for the big-eared fox, which grows 48 teeth.

The density and length of the hairline of these predators depends on the season and climatic conditions. V winter time and in areas with severe weather conditions fox fur becomes thick and lush, in summer the pomp and length of the coat decreases.

The color of the fox can be sandy, red, yellowish, brown with black or white markings. In some species, the color of the fur can be almost white or black-brown. In the northern latitudes, foxes are larger and have a lighter color, in southern countries the color of the fox is duller, and the size of the animal is smaller.

When chasing a victim or in case of danger, the fox is able to reach speeds of up to 50 km / h. During mating season foxes can make barking sounds.

Life span of a fox vivo ranges from 3 to 10 years, however, in captivity, the fox lives up to 25 years of age.

Fox classification

In the canine family (wolf, canine), several genera are distinguished, which include different types of foxes:

  • Maikong ( Cerdocyon)
    • Maikong, savannah fox ( Cerdocyon thous)
  • Small foxes ( Atelocynus)
    • Little fox ( Atelocynus microtis)
  • Big-eared foxes ( Otocyon)
    • big-eared fox ( Otocyon megalotis)
  • South American foxes ( Lycalopex)
    • Andean fox ( Lycalopex culpaeus)
    • South American Fox ( Lycalopex griseus)
    • Darwin fox ( Lycalopex fulvipes)
    • Paraguayan fox ( Lycalopex gymnocercus)
    • Brazilian fox ( Lycalopex vetulus)
    • Securan Fox ( Lycalopex securae)
  • Gray foxes ( Urocyon)
    • gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
    • island fox ( Urocyon littoralis)
  • Foxes ( Vulpes)
    • Common or red fox ( Vulpes vulpes)
    • American fox ( Vulpes macrotis)
    • Afghan fox ( Vulpes cana)
    • African fox ( Vulpes pallida)
    • Bengal Fox (Indian) ( Vulpes bengalensis)
    • Korsak, steppe fox ( Vulpes corsac)
    • American corsac ( Vulpes velox)
    • Sand Fox ( Vulpes rueppelli)
    • Tibetan fox ( Vulpes ferrilata)
    • Fenech ( Vulpes zerda, fennecus zerda)
    • South African fox ( Vulpes chama)

Fox species, names and photos

Below is short description several varieties of foxes:

  • Common fox (red fox) ( Vulpes vulpes)

The largest representative of the fox genus. The weight of the fox reaches 10 kilograms, and the length of the body, together with the tail, is 150 cm. Depending on the area of ​​​​residence, the color of the fox may vary slightly in tone 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 is the white tip of the tail and dark, almost black ears.

The habitat includes all of Europe, the territory of North Africa, Asia (from India to South China), North America and Australia.

Representatives of this species of foxes are happy to eat field, roe deer cubs, if possible, destroy the nests of geese and capercaillie, feed on carrion, and insect larvae. Surprisingly, the red fox is a fierce destroyer of oat crops: in the absence of a meat menu, it attacks cereal farmlands, causing damage to them.

  • American fox (Vulpes macrotis )

Predatory mammal of medium size. 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) - 2.2 kg (for a male). The back of the animal is painted in yellowish-gray or whitish tones, and the sides are yellowish-brown. Distinctive features of this species of foxes are a white belly and a black tip of the tail. The lateral surface of the muzzle and 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 jumpers).

  • Afghan fox (Bukhara, Baluchistan fox)(Vulpes cana )

A small animal belonging to the Canine 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 species of foxes in its rather large ears, the height of which reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes coming from upper lip to the corners of the eyes. In winter, the color of the fox's coat on the back and sides acquires a rich brownish-gray color with separate black outer hairs. In summer, its intensity decreases, and the whitish color of the throat, chest and abdomen remains unchanged. The Afghan fox has no hair on the surface of its paw pads, which protects other desert foxes from 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. It absorbs mice with appetite and does not refuse a vegetarian menu.

  • african fox(Vulpes pallida)

It has resemblance with red fox Vulpes vulpes), but is more modest in size. The total body length of the fox, together with the tail, does not exceed 70-75 cm, and the weight rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg. Unlike red fox, her African relative has more long legs and ears. The coloration of the back, legs and tail with a black tip is red with a brown tint, and the muzzle and belly are white. Around the eyes in adults, a black rim is clearly visible, and a strip of dark-colored fur runs along the ridge.

The African fox lives in Africa - it can often be seen in Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. Fox food consists of both animals (small rodents,) and plant components.

  • Bengal fox (Indian fox)(Vulpes bengalensis )

This type of fox is characterized by medium size. The height of adults 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 tail of the fox with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. , short and sleek. It is painted in various shades of sandy brown or reddish brown.

The animal lives in the foothills of the Himalayas, feels great in India and in Bangladesh and Nepal. The menu of the Indian fox always has a place for sweet fruits, but preference is given to lizards, bird eggs, mice, and insects.

  • Korsak, steppe fox(Vulpes corsac )

It has a distant resemblance to an ordinary fox, however, unlike it, representatives of this species of foxes 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 the 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. 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 the southeast of Europe to Asia, including Iran, the territory of 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 hares. There is practically no plant food in the diet of the steppe fox.

  • American corsac, pygmy agile fox, prairie fox(Vulpes Velox )

A small fox with a body length of 37 to 53 cm and a weight of 2 to 3 kg. The height of the animal at the withers rarely reaches 0.3 m, and the length of the tail is 35 cm. The characteristic light gray color of the thick short fox fur on the sides and back in the summer period acquires a pronounced red tint with red-buff tan marks. The throat and belly of the fox are distinguished by a lighter shade. The black markings on both sides of the sensitive nose and the dark tip of the tail are also a specific feature of the American corsac.

The pygmy fox lives in areas of plains and semi-deserts and has practically no territorial attachment.

The fox feeds on mice, loves to eat locusts and will not refuse carrion remaining from the prey of more seasoned predators.

  • sand fox(Vulpes rueppelli )

The animal has characteristically large, wide ears and paws, the pads of which are protected from the hot sand by a thick fur coat. Unlike most relatives, representatives of this species of foxes have well-developed not only hearing and smell, but also vision. The pale brown color of the back, tail and sides with separate white guard hairs serves as a good camouflage color for the fox in conditions of sand and stone placers in habitats. The weight of adult animals rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg, and the length of the body of the fox, together with the tail, does not exceed 85-90 cm.

The sand fox lives in the desert. Numerous populations are found in the sands of the Sahara desert - from Morocco and sultry Egypt to Somalia and Tunisia.

The sand fox feeds not too diversely, which is associated with the habitat. The fox's food includes lizards, jerboas and mice, and which the animal is absolutely not afraid of and deftly absorbs.

  • Tibetan fox(Vulpes ferrilata )

The animal 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 a light gray color of the sides and a white belly, gives the impression of stripes running along the body of the fox. The fur of the fox is dense and longer than that of other species.

The fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau, is less common in northern India, Nepal, in some provinces of China.

The food of the Tibetan fox is varied, but pikas (haystacks) are its basis, although the fox is happy to catch mice and hares, does not disdain birds and their eggs, eats lizards and sweet berries.

  • Fenech ( Vulpes zerda)

This is the smallest fox in the world. The height of adult animals at the withers is only 18-22 cm with a body length of about 40 cm and a weight of up to 1.5 kg. The fennec fox is the owner of the largest ears among the representatives of the genus. The length of the ears reaches 15 cm. The surface of the pads on the fox's paws is pubescent, which makes it possible for the animal to calmly move along the hot sand. The belly of the animal is painted in White color, and the back and sides in various shades of red or fawn. The tip of the fox's fluffy tail is black. Unlike other relatives that make sounds out of necessity, foxes of this species often communicate with each other using barking, growling, and also howling sounds.

Fenechs live mainly in the central Sahara, but often this fox can be seen in Morocco, the Sinai and Arabian Peninsulas, near Lake Chad and in Sudan.

Fenech is an omnivorous fox: it hunts rodents and small birds, eats locusts and lizards, and will not refuse the roots of plants and their sweet fruits.

  • South African fox ( 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 silvery tint to almost black on the back and gray with a yellowish tinge on the belly.

The fox lives exclusively in the countries of South Africa, especially large populations are found in Angola and Zimbabwe.

Omnivorous species: 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, are eaten.

  • Maikong, savannah fox, crabeater fox ( Cerdocyon thous)

The species has a body length of 60 to 70 cm, the fox's tail reaches 30 cm, the fox weighs 5-8 kg. The height of the mikong at the withers is 50 cm. The color is brown-gray with brown spots on the muzzle and paws. The color of the throat and belly can be gray, white or various shades of yellow. The tips of the ears and tail of the fox are black. The legs of the mikong are short and strong, the tail is fluffy and long. The weight of an adult mikong reaches 4.5-7.7 kg. The body length is approximately 64.3 cm, the tail length is 28.5 cm.

  • big-eared fox ( Otocyon megalotis)

The animal has disproportionately large ears, reaching 13 cm in height. The length of the body of the fox reaches 45-65 cm, the length of the tail is 25-35 cm. The weight of the fox varies between 3-5.3 kg. The hind legs of the animal have 4 fingers, the front ones have five fingers. The color of the animal is usually gray-yellow with brown, gray or yellow spots. The belly and throat of the fox have a lighter shade. The tips of the paws and ears are dark, there is a black stripe on the tail, the same stripe is on the muzzle of the fox. This type foxes differ from other species in the presence of 48 teeth (the rest of the genus has only 42 teeth).

The fox lives in southern and eastern Africa: in Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, South Africa.

The main food of the fox is termites, beetles and locusts. Sometimes the animal feeds on bird eggs, lizards, small rodents, plant foods.

The distribution range of foxes includes all of Europe, the African continent, North America, Australia and a significant part of Asia. The fox lives in the forests and groves of Italy and Portugal, Spain and France, in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Russia and Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria, desert and mountainous areas Egypt and Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, Mexico and the United States of America. Foxes feel at ease in the fertile climate of India, Pakistan and China, as well as the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Alaska.

Under natural conditions, foxes live in ravines and ravines overgrown with vegetation, forests or plantations interspersed with fields, in desert and highlands. Burrows of other animals or dug on their own are often used as shelter. Burrows can be both simple and with a complex system of passages and emergency exits. Foxes can hide in caves, rock crevices, and tree hollows. Easily endure overnight stays open sky. The animal easily adapts to life in cultivated landscapes. Fox populations have been observed even in the park areas of large cities.

Almost all members of the family lead an active nocturnal lifestyle, however, foxes often go hunting during the daytime.

Description

Small gray fox. Around the dark brown nose, the hair is “colored” with a white spot, the main color is red-brown, the sides, neck and paws of the gray fox are covered with hair of this color. The abdomen is covered with white fur. A black line is also characteristic, stretching from the base of the tail to its tip. Another distinctive feature is another black line that crosses the face from the nose to the eyes, then "leaving" on the sides of the head back. The height at the withers is 30-40 cm. The gray fox is very agile and dexterous, for his family, he runs fast, and also knows how to climb trees (she was also called tree fox).

A gray fox of a dense build, with shorter paws compared to a red fox, so she is smaller, but her long fluffy tail looks more luxurious than that of her rival, but her undercoat does not save so well from the cold than at the red fox. Therefore, the gray fox cannot live in a particularly cold climate.

Reproduction and population

Gray foxes are monogamous and live with a partner for the rest of their lives. After mating, in February, the mother can give birth to 4 to 10 cubs, which, after 11 months of age, already leave their parents. Perhaps it is precisely because of this ability to be fertile that this species did not end up on the verge of death. The annual extermination of the gray fox, for example, in Wisconsin, because of its soft fur, reduced the population of the species by up to half.

Subspecies

  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus borealis
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus colimensis
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus costaricensis
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus fraterculus
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus furvus
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus guatemalae
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus madrensis
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus nigrirostris
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus ocythous
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus orinomus
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus peninsularis
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus scotti
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus townsendi
  • Urocyon cinereoargenteus venezuelae

Notes


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  • Wu-hou (Wei kingdom, Zhangguo era)
  • oh ban

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    FOX- (fur) the skin of a predatory animal fox. In the USSR, foxes are caught almost everywhere; in addition, they are bred in fur farms. Skins are obtained from wild foxes: common foxes, or the so-called. red, sivodushki, krestovki, black-brown; from… … The Concise Encyclopedia of the Household

    corsac fox

    fox corsac- ? Korsak Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Type: Chordates Class ... Wikipedia

    gray flying fox- pilkoji skraidančioji lapė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Pteropus griseus English. gray flying fox rus. gray flying fox ryšiai: platesnis terminas – skraidančiosios lapės … Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas

    crabeater fox- ? Maikong Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Type: Chordates Subtype ... Wikipedia

    Andean fox- ? Culpeo Culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Type ... Wikipedia

Books

  • Gray neck, Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak. A small defenseless duck named Gray Sheika was injured by a fox, and she could not fly away with the others when autumn came. About her friendship with a hare and a capercaillie, about their struggle with a fox, about her ...


The fox is often associated in people with cunning and deceit, with a red tail and a wary look. However, not all so simple. In our selection - seven such different and such charming species of foxes, which differ from each other not only in color, but also in their character.

fenech


Fennec fox cannot boast of large size - this animal is smaller than a domestic cat. But the fenech's ears are the envy of all predators - almost half the length of the animal's body! Such ears help the fox to hear the rustles of prey - small insects and lizards that live in the sands of northern Africa. In addition, huge ears contribute to better cooling of the body during the heat.


red fox






red fox is the most numerous widespread species among foxes. This animal can be seen throughout Europe, in North America, in India and China, as well as in Australia, where foxes were specially brought as natural enemies without a measure of bred rodents. Red foxes tend to live in burrows. They may dig them themselves or may take over an empty burrow of other animals such as marmots, badgers or arctic foxes. However, there are times when a fox settles in someone else's mink, even though its owner has not yet "moved" to another place.


marble fox




Actually arctic marbled fox is a subspecies of the common red fox artificially bred for exotic fur.


gray fox


gray fox lives in North and Central America. They are known for being monogamous animals and living with their partner for the rest of their lives. In addition, it is the only fox that can climb trees.


Black-brown fox


Black-brown fox, or silver fox, differs from the red one only in that there are absolutely no red hairs in its color. Sometimes completely black, sometimes gray with a bluish tint, sometimes ashen - foxes of such an exotic color are very popular in animal husbandry, where they are used to obtain fur.


polar fox








polar fox, also known as the arctic fox, is famous for its fluffy snow-white fur, which helps the animal withstand colds down to -70 C. However, in summer this fox cannot be recognized - the arctic fox is the only one among foxes that changes its color, and in warm time year it becomes a dirty brown color.

Fox gray or tree fox - a representative of wolves, more common in North America and in the northern part of South America. Disappeared from Canada, appeared in Southern Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec.

Appearance of the gray fox

The gray fox looks like a small dog with a beautiful fluffy tail. It is much smaller than brown foxes.

Appearance like common fox, only with a shorter muzzle and ears. On short powerful legs, tenacious nails are located that allow you to climb trees and branches well. Has a non-uniform coat color. The muzzle, back, sides and long fluffy tail are painted with gray or silvery light. Red light is spilled over the neck, sides of the head and torso. Below there is a white light, the tip of the tail is painted black. The coat is short and coarse and covers the entire body of the fox. The tail of the fox is an unusual triangular shape.

Sixty-nine centimeters body length. Nine and a half centimeters head.
Weighing from two and a half to seven kg. The tail reaches forty centimeters.
Lives in nature for about six years, in zoos up to fifteen.

Gray fox habitat

The animal fell in love with forest thickets; it can also be found at the edge of the forest, small copses. Likes to approach crop fields, sometimes found in the vicinity of villages and cities. She considers pine groves her home, she makes a lair in them. But it hunts in deciduous woody shrubs, there are more small mammals for food. Foxes live in burrows, but rarely dig themselves, usually find secluded places, sometimes use tree hollows, settled between stones, other people's burrows.

live settled way life. Animals love to drink clean water, so habitats are chosen closer to the water. Trampled fox trails can be seen near the water.
When foxes see people, they bark, and in the forest they make other sounds similar to howling and whimpering.

Gray fox behavior

Because foxes like to climb trees, they are called tree foxes. When an unfamiliar or dangerous object approaches, with a quick jump and tenacious claws they cling to a hill, to fallen and small trees, stumps located higher. Clinging with hooked claws, they can jump to another tree. The fox is kept on the tree with strong powerful legs and strong claws, it can jump from the tree for prey.

In pursuit of prey or hiding from the enemy, runs at speeds up to seventeen kilometers, in short intervals. The tree serves as a shelter from the enemy, here she rests, but she breeds offspring in holes.

Foxes live in pairs, each family has its own border of the earth. They mark territorial spaces with their urine and droppings. All summer they roam in family flocks until the offspring grow up. Growing foxes leave their mothers for long distances, and in the future they look for mates. Area boundaries couples reach large areas up to 27 square meters. The outskirts of neighboring territories often intersect.

Reproduction of gray foxes

Depending on where they live, they breed from December to April. At this time, the males fight among themselves for the female, the winner forms a pair with her. When the babies appear, the males take care and get food for the little foxes and defend their territory.

Before giving birth, the lair is covered with dried leaves, grass, or small tree bark. The fox brings from two to seven babies. They are born blind, helpless, weighing one hundred grams no more. They open their eyes on the tenth, fourteenth day. They suckle their mother for seven, nine weeks, then they switch to solid food. There are a lot of fleas in the den, they seize the whole family. As soon as the puppies grow up a little and can move independently, the fox moves to another place. Upon reaching three months, weaned from breast milk. From the age of three months, babies are taught to hunt small animals.

Gray fox food

The main diet of the tree fox consists of plant foods. Among all wolves, this variety is most prone to plant foods. It feeds on insects, mice, ground squirrels, hares, birds and their eggs, carrion. It feeds on fruits, bulbs and grains. A squirrel can be caught on a tree and eaten.

Representatives of the danger of the gray fox

A great danger to the gray fox is the hawk, golden eagle, large owls. They attack from above, the fox cannot cope with them. Red lynxes and dogs prey on small foxes.

The fur of the gray fox is not valued. Therefore, a person does not hunt a gray fox. The state of Texas is overrun with gray foxes. Animals love to catch mice in the farmers' fields, this helps in the fight against rodents. But often foxes become pests of farms, then they are caught with traps and shot.

Video about the gray fox


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