Range

The red fox has a wide natural range that is the largest of any extant member of the order carnivora. They cover the entire northern hemisphere across Asia, Europe and North America. The only areas they do not inhabit is Iceland, the Arctic islands and Siberia.

They are one of the most invasive species in Australia where they have spread across the entire continent since their introduction in the 1800s. Further they were introduced to the Falkland Islands and New Zealand. They were introduced to the Isle of Man though it is believed that this population did not establish and is not extinct.

It is believed they have gone extinct in Korea.

A full list of countries where they can be found is Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Holy See (Vatican City State), Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Democratic People's Republic of, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Habitat

Due to their wide range the red fox can be found in a range of highly diverse habitats including tundra, desert, mountains, forests, shrubland, grasslands and wetlands.

With the expansion of human habitations they are increasingly found making use of farmland and even urban areas.

Reproduction

Mating takes place in winter. Pairs form a territory which they defend together and the male and female will work together to raise the cubs.

Following a successful mating the female prepares her den. The gestation period is 2 months.

In the den a female will give birth to an average of four to six cubs. Extremely large litters of up to twelve cubs have been recorded.

At birth the pups are colored grey or brown and will develop their red coloration after a month. They weigh just 100g (3.5oz).

For the first few weeks of the cubs life the female remains with them constantly to provide milk and relies on the male to bring her food. Non-breeding females may also live with the pair and help raise the cubs including bringing the mother food.

Weaning takes place at between 6 and 12 weeks old.

The pups receive care until the fall when they go out on their own.

Sexual maturity is reached at 10 months old.

Behavior

A group of red foxes is made up of a male and female who remain together year round. They maintain a home territory which is marked with urine, feces and scent from various scent glands on their body. On occasion additional females may be accepted in to a group but only the dominant female will breed.

Depending on where they live they may be active by day or night.

They have excellent eyesight and hearing to help find food. They are able to hear a rodent digging underground.

Predators and Threats

While highly abundant across most of their range and having large introduced populations in some regions the red fox is still threatened in parts of their range.

This is primarily due to habitat loss or degradation and hunting both for sport and their fur.

They rival the American mink as the most farmed animal for their fur.

Populations of the red fox have also benefited from the removal of other large carnivores such as the puma from urban areas. This action removes a potential threat to them and food competitor allowing them to thrive.

Quick facts

A male red fox is known as a dog while the female is called a vixen.

In introduced regions the red fox is quickly able to adapt and soon threatens other species through competition or predation. In Australia they are a major contributor to the decline of native animals and complicate recovery efforts for many species.

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