Gray fox. Types of foxes (foxes)

gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus), or tree fox, is a very unusual mammal because it looks more like a small dog with a bushy tail. They live in Canada, in the central and southwestern states of America, Venezuela, are found in California and Mexico. They got their name for the gray-silver saddle on the back and sides. Although the lower part of the sides, neck, base of the tail, back, paws, as well as the lower part of the tail are the same bright rusty red colors as those of an ordinary red fox. They are also distinguished by a black stripe that runs along the top of the croup and along the entire fluffy tail. The stripe ends with a black tip on the tail. The muzzle of the animal is silver- gray color, with a white rim around a black nose. This coloring of the fur camouflages well from predators.

The gray fox is also unusual in that it is the only species in the wolf family that can climb trees. There she hides from enemies and sits in ambush, tracking down prey. And in order to climb a tree, she has to climb up the trunk, pushing off with long hooked claws on her hind legs. No worse than a squirrel, the animal can also move along the crown of trees, jumping from branch to branch or sliding down in the opposite direction.

This mammal cannot be called a particularly fast runner, but over short distances it can also develop good speed. Short, very powerful and developed paws give the animal a huge advantage when it climbs up trees or rocks, and strong, hooked claws allow it to cling to trunks and branches.

Gray foxes are nocturnal animals, and hide in their lairs during the day, the boundaries of the territory are marked with urine. Females reach sexual maturity in a year, and look for a mate from February to March. Pairs are permanent and the father of the fox cubs stays with the female until they are born, but then he is expelled from the lair.

Usually, from 3 to 5 cubs are born after 50-55 days of pregnancy, but there are also large litters of up to 11 cubs. The babies are dark brown and blind from birth, but open their eyes on the 10th day. The mother stops caring for the cubs after 10 weeks. All this time, the father regularly supplies the family with food. By winter, the couples disperse, and the cubs are already completely independent, everyone must survive the most severe time alone. The average lifespan of this species is up to 6 years in the wild and about 12 years in captivity.

The gray fox is a solitary hunter, but its diet is very diverse: berries, nuts, birds, insects, and all kinds of rodents, in addition, the ability to climb trees allows you to find food that is not available to an ordinary red relative. If she manages to get more food than she can eat at a time, then she will definitely hide it and return later. And to find the burial place, mark it with urine. In dry regions, animals eat more insects, arthropods, and plant foods than foxes living in the east.

The gray fox has several predators other than humans. Hawks, eagles, owls, lynxes, dogs and even

Fox (fox) ( Vulpes) - This 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. IN 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 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.

The life expectancy of a fox in natural conditions ranges from 3 to 10 years, but 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 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. characteristic feature serves as a 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 the 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. Side surface muzzles 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 quite big ears, whose height reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes running from the 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 the common fox, its African relative has longer 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. The wool that forms the hairline , 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 hue with red-buff markings. 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, and 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 white, and the back and sides are 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 rather 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 countries 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 may be gray, white or various shades 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 of fox differs 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, African continent, North America, Australia and much 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, the desert and mountainous regions of 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 harsh conditions Arctic and Alaska.

Under natural conditions, foxes live in ravines and ravines overgrown with vegetation, forests or plantations interspersed with fields, in desert and high mountain regions. Burrows of other animals or dug on their own are often used as shelter. Burrows can be both simple and complex system 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 are active night image life, but foxes often go hunting and in daytime.

Name: Gray fox, tree fox, lat. Urocyon cinereoargenteus.

Appearance

The gray fox differs from the ordinary one in its denser physique, short legs and smaller stature. Her tail looks more fluffy and longer. However, due to the sparse undercoat, it does not tolerate cold as well. The gray fox also has a shorter muzzle and ears. Top part their bodies, head and tail are gray, with a black tint, thickening on the ridge and tail into a black belt. The sides and neck are reddish-brown, and there are white spots around the nose.

Another distinctive feature is another black line, crossing 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 its family, it runs fast, and also knows how to climb trees (it was also called the tree fox).

It is noteworthy that gray foxes have an unusual coloring of the tip of the tail - it is black.

Behavior

Gray foxes feed on all kinds of small animals, birds, insects, sometimes they drag chickens. More than other types of foxes, they have a penchant for plant foods, so that sometimes the fruits and green parts of plants even predominate in their diet. After 63 days of pregnancy, the female brings in the spring up to 7 puppies covered with black fur. After a month and a half, they begin to eat ordinary food, and in late summer or early autumn they begin to independent living while the parents continue to live together.

Gray foxes only live where there are trees. They are the only representatives of the wolf family who can climb trees well, which is why they are often called tree foxes. . This ability likely allowed the gray fox to coexist with coyotes, while the brown fox population declined significantly with the increase in the coyote population.

However, the main shelters for gray foxes are burrows, crevices among stones and rocks, caves, hollows in fallen trees.

How do gray foxes climb trees? Lightly grasping the trunk of a tree with its front paws, it pushes its body up with its hind legs, which, thanks to long and strong claws, firmly hold it on the trunk. In addition, the fox is able to jump onto the branching branches of a tree, using this ability to attack prey from above from an ambush.

It hunts mainly at night and twilight, and rests in a secluded place all day, sleeps and rests. Animals are usually attached to the same place, so the way of life is sedentary, they have never been seen migrating. Burrows rarely dig on their own, but more often they occupy strangers, sometimes hollow trees are chosen as their own home, they can settle in crevices of rocks, voids under stones and trunks, even in abandoned buildings.

Gray foxes need clean water for drinking, so they regularly visit the reservoir. In this regard, they locate their lairs near the source of drinking water, where, over time, a well-marked path is trodden.

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.

Reproduction: During the breeding season, numerous violent fights occur between males, after which the victorious male remains with the female and forms a pair. After the appearance of offspring, males take an active part in the extraction of food for puppies and the protection of the boundaries of the family plot from the penetration of other foxes here.

Habitat

There is a gray fox in most of North America from the southern regions of Canada to the Isthmus of Panama, also in the north of South America (Venezuela and Colombia). The gray fox has not been found in the Rocky Mountains in the far northwest of the United States. The gray fox disappeared from Canada in the late 17th century, but recently they have been found in southern Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec. In a number of places, it disappeared after the acclimatization of the brown fox from Europe there.

Most often, a gray fox can be found in bushes, on forest edges, in mountain copses.

Gray fox 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

Photo © Alan Harper on iNaturalist.org. www.alanharper.com. California, USA. CC BY-NC 4.0

Distribution: from southeastern Canada to Venezuela and Colombia, with the exception of part Great Plain and the mountainous regions (Rocky Mountains) of the northwestern United States and the eastern coast of Central America (the watersheds of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama). Over the past 50 years, the total range of the gray fox has expanded to new areas and areas where the gray fox has previously been extirpated, including New England, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Ontario, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Yute.

Gray foxes resemble small, slender dogs with bushy tails. The body is elongated, the legs are relatively short.

In adult gray foxes, the fur consists of a mixture of white, tan, black and gray. Their tail is approximately one third of their total body length and has a distinct black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip. The upper part of the head, back, sides and the rest of the tail are grey. Belly, chest, legs and sides heads are reddish brown. Cheeks and throat are white. The area around the eyes has a thin black stripe from the outer corner of the eye towards the head. In addition, a broad black stripe runs from the inner corner of the eye, down the muzzle to the mouth. Newborn puppies are dark brown.

The pupils of the eyes are oval gray foxes differ from redheads (Vulpes vulpes), in which the pupils are slit.

There is no sexual dimorphism, but males are slightly larger than females. Males have longer pelvic regions and heel bones, as well as wider shoulder blades and more powerful leg bones.

Length 80-112.5 cm, tail length 27.5-44.3 cm, height at the withers 10-15 cm. Weight 3.6-6.8 kg, up to a maximum of 9 kg.

Gray foxes prefer to live in deciduous forests, alternating with thick woodlands. Many populations thrive where forests alternate with farmlands, but unlike the red fox, they do not live in purely agricultural areas. Proximity to water key feature most preferred habitat. In areas where gray foxes and red foxes are found, the former prefer mixed forests with dense undergrowth. In the absence of red foxes, other habitats are preferred.

Most often they live at altitudes up to 1000-3000 m above sea level.

In eastern North America, the gray fox is most closely associated with deciduous or southern pine forests interspersed with some old fields and clear forests. In western North America, it is commonly found in mixed agricultural, woodland, chaparral, coastal landscape, and scrub environments. This species occupies forest areas and with abundant prey habitat in Central America and wooded highlands in South America. Also, gray foxes are found in semi-arid areas in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where there is ample hiding places. Apparently they are doing well in some urban areas.

Territoriality of gray foxes is poorly studied. Territories are marked with urine and faeces, but in many areas the patches overlap considerably. Family plots are formed so that the separate territories of the pair overlap. The family plots themselves usually do not overlap. The red fox probably reaches peak densities every 10 years, with an average density of about one family for every 10 km².

However overall size personal and family areas of the gray fox is not defined. Foxes tracked from May to August 1980 and January to August 1981 had an average monthly home area of ​​299 ha and an average family area of ​​676 ha. The complexity of the definition lies in the fact that although some individuals occupy the same area for a long time, their personal areas, as a rule, change from month to month. Only part of the home range is used that night. Composite home ranges of 4 gray foxes in another study ranged from 106 to 172 ha.

Gray foxes are more active at night and at dusk, resting during the day in dense vegetation or secluded rocky areas. Activity levels decrease sharply at sunrise and increase at sunset. Typically, gray foxes leave the resting area during the daytime shortly before sunset, explore the surrounding area, and then move to the hunting area. Shortly before sunrise, they usually return to the daytime resting area. At the same time, gray foxes are often active during the daytime.

Gray foxes usually change their resting places every day, starting in late spring when new vegetation grows. In winter, shelters are reused.

The gray fox is the only member of the family that can climb trees, especially to avoid danger. However, these foxes often climb trees for rest, sometimes quite high. One gray fox was observed resting 4.6 m above the ground on a branch of a giant saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea).

gray foxes pportunisticallyomnivorous. Although they prey on small vertebrates and birds, fruits and invertebrates also make up a significant portion of their diet, usually in proportions depending on the time of year. So, rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), mouse-like (Peromyscus spp., Neotoma spp., Sigmodon hispidus, etc.) are most their winter diet. Starting in spring, invertebrates, fruits, nuts and grains are included in the diet. Preferred insects are orthopterans and beetles. Depending on the region, often mainly the fox depends on rabbits and other small mammals in winter, insects and fruits in summer. In some areas, the overall diet may consist of predominant plant foods.

If the prey is large, the foxes hide the remains, often burying it. After that, they usually mark the hiding place with urine or use the smell of glands on their paws and tail. When possible, gray foxes may also feed on carrion.

Like other members of the family, gray foxes communicate by barking and growling. Young foxes usually play with each other. Males, in an attempt to attract potential breeding partners, raise their hind legs to show their genitals. Adult animals use their scents to mark territory.

Lairs are usually found in hollow trees (the highest discovered den was in a hollow at a height of 9.1 m) or logs, in small caves, cracks between rocks, abandoned buildings, tangled shrubs, less often in abandoned burrows of other mammals. Occasionally, gray foxes themselves dig holes in loose soil.

Thought to be monogamous, but direct evidence is lacking. There are reports of rare cases of polygamy and polyandry.

During the rearing of offspring, there are family groups consisting of a male, female and young. Pairs form in autumn, before breeding occurs in winter. During October and September, when females attract partners, males usually show more aggression. Like domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), gray foxes have a violet gland. Foxes also have additional scent glands on their snout and foot pads. While these glands are primarily used to demarcate a territory, they can also be used to attract potential mates.

Reproduction takes place annually. The breeding season varies by geographic region, altitude, and habitat quality, and runs from late winter to early spring (December to March). Where gray fox sympatric to red foxes, it starts breeding 2-4 weeks later than red foxes.

Pregnancy from 53 to 63 days. The maximum number of births usually occurs in April. Litter from 1 to 7 puppies, averaging 3.8. However, litter size is not well understood. Puppies are born blind and almost naked. The average weight at birth is 86-95 g. The eyes open 9 days after birth. Milk feeding continues up to 6 weeks, but weaning begins at 2-3 weeks, then only complementary feeding continues. Solid food begins to be taken at about 3 weeks of age, which is mainly supplied by the father. Parents begin to teach puppies to hunt at about 4 months. Until then, both parents hunt separately, and the puppies practice their hunting skills by pouncing and chasing the half-dead prey they bring. First of all, their father teaches them to hunt. The pups depend on their parents for up to 10 months, after which they become sexually mature and disperse. According to other sources, families break up at the end of summer and autumn.

At about 10 months old, both males and females become sexually mature. Most females give birth in the first year of life.

Life expectancy both in captivity and in the wild ranges from 6 to 8 years. However, the oldest recorded wild gray fox was 10 years old and the oldest in captivity was 12 years old.

The main enemies of gray foxes in nature are red lynxes ( Lynx Rufus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), eagle owls (Bubo virginianus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Unlike red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which use speed and maneuverability to escape predators, gray foxes hide in shelters (for example, in thickets). From ground predators gray foxes can use their ability to climb trees.

In addition to natural deaths, humans are responsible for the largest number of deaths and therefore the greatest threat.

We know that most people love foxes, but how not to love these beauties in fluffy fur coats? Therefore, we decided that it would be interesting for you to learn about some of the most beautiful and bright views these forest animals. Common or red fox (Vulpes vulpes), that usually comes to mind when you hear the word "fox" and it makes sense, because this species fox is the most common in the world and can be found anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere. If you love foxes and think they look much better in the wild than on someone's neck, then you'll definitely want to see the 7 most beautiful fox species in their natural element!

Fennec Fox

Fennec foxes living in North Africa and the Sahara desert, are distinguished by their large ears, which serve not only to enable the animal to hunt better, but also to better cool the body in the heat of the day. Also, their cream fur helps them not to attract the scorching sun during the day and keep warm at night.

Red Fox (Red Fox)

The red fox is the largest, most widely distributed and, as a result, the most diverse species of all foxes. They can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in Australia. These foxes are very agile hunters and can even jump over a two-meter fence.

Marble Fox

The Arctic marbled fox is also a member of the red fox species, the coloration of which is not found in conditions wildlife- its color was bred artificially, for the sake of fur.

Gray fox (Gray Fox)

The gray fox that lives in North America, is distinguished by its salt and pepper coat, black tail tip and red muzzle. This fox is one of the few canids that can climb trees.

Black and brown fox (Silver Fox)

The black-brown fox is actually the same species of red fox, differing only in a different pigmentation. There was a time when the black fox was considered one of the most valuable fur foxes that could be found. People still breed and raise them for their fur.

Arctic fox (Arctic Fox)

Arctic fox can be found throughout the Arctic Circle. Its thick fur protects the animal from colossal low temperatures(-70 degrees Celsius). These foxes have relatively short legs and muzzle, which allows them to keep warm.

Cross Fox

Another type of red fox, which is the most common in North America.