Facts About Red Foxes

Facts About Red Foxes Species: Foxes are predators. There are more than 40 species. For example, the Arctic Fox, the Gray Fox and the Cape Fox. The smallest fox is the Fennec. It is a desert fox with large ears. The best known fox is the Red Fox. 

Habitat: 

Foxes live mainly live in forests, grasslands, mountains and deserts. They eat small vertebrates like mice, squirrels, hedgehogs and rabbits. They will also eat fish, frogs or worms. 

But they are not pure carnivores. They also eat fruit like raspberries. 

Special Characteristics: 

The Red Fox uses its tail to: 

. Balance while running and jumping 

. Stay warm while sleeping 

. Communicate - It's like a "signal flag"! 

Senses: 

They have excellent hearing. 

Red foxes can hear a mouse at about 330 ft (100 m). They have an amazing sense of smell, too. 

Are foxes some kind of cat? Foxes act very similar to cats: 

. Foxes and cats both climb trees. 

. Red Foxes and cats both stalk and pounce on their prey. 

. Red foxes and cats are both most active at night. The pupils of foxes and cats both narrow into a vertical slit. But: They belong to the canidae family - like dogs! Hunting strategies: When hunting, they use the earth's magnetic field! Sometimes they play dead to attract and hunt scavengers. They prey on hedgehogs by nudging them into the water. There they are forced to open up. In case you were wondering: Yes, foxes can swim :) 

Speed: 

Their top speed is 31 mph (50 km/h). But mostly they trot at 5-9 mph (8-14 km/h).  

Red Foxes don’t kill cats or dogs. They don’t consider them prey. Foxes aren´t dangerous to humans. They prefer to avoid them. Reproduction: For the first 3-4 weeks the kitten stay in a den. Lifespan: Red foxes live 4-5 years in the wild. 

Predators: 

The fox's enemies are coyotes, cougars, bears and birds of prey. Importance to the Ecosystem: They help control the number of small animals. They also disperse seeds by eating fruit.