Mary Allen
Because the red fox is so clever, they also call him Reineke. That means: the one who is invincible because of his cleverness! You can find out more about the red fox here in the animal lexicon.
Name: red fox;
Scientific name: Vulpes vulpes;
Size: 40 centimeters high;
Weight: up to 7 kg;
Lifespan: up to 6 years;
Distribution: worldwide;
Habitat: Forests, semi-deserts, mountains, coasts on all continents except South America;
Diet: Omnivore. Birds, eggs, mice, insects, fruits, berries, amphibians.
General information about the red fox
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) belongs to the order of carnivores (Carnivora) in the family of dogs (Canidae). The foxes are at home on almost every continent: The animals are found in almost the entire northern hemisphere, as well as in Australia and the Falkland Islands.
Red foxes live in forests, semi-deserts, on the coast or in high mountains. The red fox is the most common wild dog in the world..
Physique: How do I recognize a red fox?
The red fox has reddish-brown fur that is colored white on the cheeks, belly, and inside of the legs. The tail is very bushy and about forty centimeters long. The fox’s snout is pointed and the ears are erect.
Male red foxes measure 62 to 75 centimeters in length and grow up to forty centimeters in height. Large red foxes can weigh up to seven kilograms. Females are slightly smaller and lighter than males.
Food: What does a red fox eat?
Foxes are omnivores. They feed on mice, insects, earthworms, birds, lizards, frogs, fruits, berries, and carrion. Sometimes they also steal a chicken from a chicken coop.
How does a red fox live?
Foxes are loners and hunt alone. They are mainly active at night and at dusk. They go to their underground burrow to sleep. During the mating season, which foxes call the mating season, male and female foxes meet. After mating, the male, the male, stays with the female. The boys are raised together. The vixen, i.e. the female, gives birth to up to three to five young at once. They are suckled and are independent after just four months. They can live up to six years.
Are Red Foxes Endangered?
Red foxes are not endangered. Yet man is their enemy. They used to be hunted for their fur. They are still hunted today, but more for pleasure. Traditional fox hunting in England is particularly bad. The animals are hunted down and killed by horses and a pack of dogs specially bred for this purpose. Every year, around 200,000 animals are shot worldwide because they can transmit rabies.
What is special about red foxes?
A fox does not always live alone in its den. It can happen that a fox shares its burrow with a badger or a polecat. Most of the time, they live together peacefully in their flat-sharing community. When fox offspring are there, however, it usually becomes too colorful for the other animals and they move out.
What is the fox’s favorite food?
The bulk of a fox’s diet is made up of meat protein, so the best things to feed your local foxes are cooked or raw meat, or tinned dog food. They are also fond of peanuts, fruit and cheese. Foxes can be fed all year round but should follow a set feeding routine.
What are 3 things foxes eat?
The red fox will hunt and eat rabbits, rodents, birds, and mollusks. Red foxes eat rodent, birds, insects, and berries. For food, foxes can adapt their diet to their environment and the season.
What will a red fox eat?
Red foxes prefer rodents and rabbits, but they will also eat birds, amphibians, and fruit. Red foxes will also steal food from garbage cans or farms. Their ability to find food, even during the winter, is one reason why red foxes have a reputation for being cunning and smart.
Do red foxes eat rats?
Red foxes eat invertebrates such as insects, worms, crayfish, and mollusks, small rodents like mice, wood rats, squirrels, and voles, as well as rabbits, fish, reptiles, and birds.
Do foxes eat dogs?
Even for small dogs, it’s a rare occurrence. However, you should definitely be aware of the potential danger and take steps to mitigate it. Foxes don’t often attack and eat dogs, but any hungry wild predator could be a danger to any domesticated animal that’s small enough to be a meal!