Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)

By Philip Burrows

 

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia, plus parts of North Africa.

 

They are recognized usually by their rich reddish – brown fur with a white under belly. The tails being bushy with a white tip at the end of most of them. Ears are pointed with black fur at the point.

 

 

Red foxes thrive in almost all habitats, because they are relatively unspecialized in their way of life. They are found in dense woodland and plantations, on moorland, coastal dunes and above the tree line in mountain ranges, but the reduction in (or high seasonality of) their food supply in such places tends to mean they are less abundant in such habitats. Indeed, it is widely held that the clearance of woodlands to make way for agricultural land created very favourable conditions for Red foxes and, in conjunction with the introduction of game species (e.g. brown hare, rabbits, pheasant, domestic fowl) to these habitats, is largely responsible for the rapid colonization of Eurasia and North America by this species. Foxes thrive in many urban areas, and it is in streets, back gardens and parks that most people will encounter a fox nowadays.

 

Foxes sometimes take up residence in underground excavations called earths or dens – these terms are used interchangeably, although earth tends to be a British term, while den is more commonly used in American and European literature. At its most simplistic, an earth is a hole dug into the ground, with a hollowed-out chamber at the end of the entrance tunnel where the fox sleeps, and in which cubs are raised. The chambers are typically between one and three meters (3–10 ft.) below ground, with tunnels generally leading to more than one entrance (a main entrance and emergency exit).

 

 

The breeding season is from December to February, with a peak in late January. A litter of 4-7 pups is born in an earth in late March or early April. The male may bring food to the earth until the female can leave the pups a short time, then they both hunt. They remain with the pups until dispersal. The life span of a fox is about 5 years.

 

 

Foxes are omnivores who use excellent hearing and sharp night vision for hunting many animals, including small mammals, fish, insects, birds, and livestock. Foxes usually come out at night time and use their excellent vision to hunt anything they can find and anywhere they can find it. In most cases, foxes know their limitations, so they will not prey on larger predators such as other foxes and big game.

 

 

Red foxes feature prominently in the folklore and mythology of human cultures with which they are sympatric. In Greek mythology, the Teumessian fox or Cadmean vixen, was a gigantic fox that was destined never to be caught. In later European folklore, the figure of Reynard the Fox symbolizes trickery and deceit. He originally appeared (then under the name of “Reinardus”) as a secondary character in the 1150 poem “Ysengrimus”. Many of Reynard’s adventures may stem from actual observations on fox behaviour; he is an enemy of the wolf and has a fondness for blackberries and grapes.

 

Have you seen a fox lately? We have a beautiful fox within the museum’s natural history collection, which can be touched. It is a fantastic way for visitors to see these stunning mammals up close!