Fox

Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals that belong to several genera of the family Canidae. They are easily recognized by their flattened skulls, upright triangular ears, pointed snouts, and long, bushy tails. There are twelve species in the "true fox" group, and many more species are sometimes called foxes, including the bat-eared fox, gray fox, and island fox.

Foxes live on every continent except Antarctica. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most common and widespread species, with about 47 recognized subspecies. Foxes are known for their cleverness and appear in stories and traditions around the world. In Europe, especially in the British Isles, people have long enjoyed the tradition of hunting of foxes with packs of hounds, a practice that was later carried to many parts of the New World.

Etymology

The word fox comes from Old English and has roots in ancient languages. Male foxes are called dogs, tods, or reynards; females are called vixens; and baby foxes are called cubs, pups, or kits. A group of foxes can be called a skulk, leash, or earth.

Phylogenetic relationships

Foxes belong to the family Canidae, which includes many different types of dogs and wolves. Scientists study their DNA to learn how these animals are related. They found three main groups: fox-like canids, wolf-like canids, and South American canids.

The fox-like canids include animals such as the kit fox, red fox, Cape fox, Arctic fox, fennec fox, and bat-eared fox. The wolf-like canids include the dog, gray wolf, red wolf, eastern wolf, coyote, golden jackal, Ethiopian wolf, black-backed jackal, side-striped jackal, dhole, and African wild dog. The South American canids include the bush dog, hoary fox, crab-eating fox, and maned wolf. There are also some unique animals called monotypic taxa, like the gray fox.

Biology

Foxes are smaller than wolves and jackals but can be larger than raccoon dogs. The red fox, the largest species, can weigh between 4.1 and 8.7 kg, while the smallest, the fennec fox, weighs only 0.7 to 1.6 kg. Foxes have triangular faces, pointed ears, long snouts, and bushy tails. They walk on their toes and have partially retractable claws. Their whiskers, or vibrissae, are black and help them sense their surroundings.

Foxes come in many colors and coat types, from white to black, and even black with white or grey markings. Desert foxes, like the fennec fox, have large ears and short fur to stay cool, while Arctic foxes have thick fur and small ears to stay warm. Their coats change with the seasons, becoming denser in winter and lighter in summer. Foxes hunt a variety of foods, including insects, small reptiles, birds, eggs, and plants. They often hide extra food for later. Some foxes, like the gray fox, can even climb trees.

Classification

Foxes are small-to-medium-sized animals that belong to the family Canidae. They are known for their flattened skulls, upright triangular ears, pointed snouts, and long, bushy tails. There are twelve species of "true foxes" that are grouped together in the genus Vulpes. These clever creatures can be found in many parts of the world, living in various habitats from forests to deserts.

Conservation

Some fox species face threats in their natural homes due to loss of habitat and hunting. For example, the island fox of the California Channel Islands has been greatly affected by diseases and predators like golden eagles. Conservation efforts have helped by breeding foxes in safe places and releasing them back into the wild.

Another fox, Darwin's fox in Chile, was once considered critically endangered but has improved to endangered thanks to new discoveries about its range. Protecting forests and managing diseases from pets are important for its survival.

Relationships with humans

Foxes are often seen as pests because they sometimes attack chickens and other small animals. However, attacks on humans are rare. Many foxes live well in cities and towns, especially in Europe, where they adapt to human spaces by living in larger groups and having smaller families. These urban foxes can live longer than those in the wild.

Fox hunting began in the United Kingdom in the 16th century. Today, hunting with dogs is not allowed there, but other forms of hunting are still permitted. Red foxes were brought to Australia for sport and have since spread across the country, affecting many native animals and livestock.

Foxes have also been domesticated in some places. A famous example is the Russian silver fox, which was bred over many years to become more friendly toward humans. These foxes developed new traits, such as floppy ears and curly tails, similar to domestic cats and dogs.

In popular culture, foxes often appear in stories and folklore. They are usually seen as clever and tricky, able to outsmart others. In some Asian traditions, foxes are magical spirits who can change shapes, while in others they are wise or powerful beings.

See also: Domesticated silver fox and Red fox § Taming and domestication

See also: Red fox § Urban red foxes