Species: Urocyon cinereoargenteus = Gray fox. Gray fox Tree fox

Fox is a generalized name for several species of mammals in the large canid family (Canidae). Twelve species of this group belong to the genus of foxes proper (true foxes), but some other species are also called foxes. Occupying different continents, all 23 species of foxes presented below have a characteristic appearance and a similar lifestyle, but at the same time, each species has its own characteristics.

The fox is a predator with a sharp muzzle, a narrow and somewhat flattened head, rather large ears and a long fluffy tail. From early childhood, we have all been familiar with the red-haired, thieving rogue - the heroine of many fairy tales and fables, who always manages to get around her relative - the wolf. Obviously, the cunning of the fox in the tales of many cultures reflects the plasticity of the species and its wide distribution. Indeed, foxes are very unpretentious to environment, they know how to adapt well and have been able to settle quite comfortably on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

There are 3 separate branches of "fox-like" canids. The closest of them to the common ancestors are 2 species of gray foxes (Urucyon). The age of this genus is 4-6 million years. And although they are phenotypically similar to foxes of the genus Vulpes, they are not genetically related to them. The big-eared fox (Otocyon) is also an ancient species of canid, which is genetically and morphologically separated from all other foxes (age of the genus is 3 million years). These species make up the first branch.

The second branch is the species of the genus Vulpes (common foxes). This branch is divided into 2 parts - the common fox type and the fennec type. The fennec fox and the Afghan fox represent the result of an ancient divergence (4.5 million years). The branch comprising the species of the common fox groups includes the American corsac and arctic fox, the American fox, as well as many of the Old World species. They diverged only recently (0.5 million years) and form a separate subgroup within the common fox phylum.

The third branch consists of all South American species. This branch stands closer to the genus Caris (Wolves) than to other foxes. The little fox and Maikong are the ancestral forms of this group (age 3 million years); most other Dusicyon species arose relatively recently (1.0-2.5 million years ago).

Species of foxes of the genus Vulpes

The fox genus Vulpes is the largest and most widespread among canids, numbering 12 species of foxes. Representatives of this genus can be found in the far north, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The characteristic features of foxes of the genus Vulpes are a pointed muzzle, triangular erect ears, a long and fluffy tail, and a flat skull compared to the genus Canis. The color of the tip of the tail is usually different from the main color. There are black triangular markings on the muzzle between the eyes and nose.

Common fox Vulpes vulpes

Currently, there are about 48 subspecies, which are distributed from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of Asia and North Africa and Central America. They were also introduced to Australia. This is such a common species that it is most likely the most flexible of all carnivores.

Body length is on average 75 cm, tail – 40-69 cm, weight can reach 10 kg. The coat is rusty to fiery red above, and white to black below. The tip of the tail is often white. There are silver and other color varieties.

Bengal (Indian) fox Vulpes bengalensis

Inhabits India, Pakistan, Nepal. It lives in steppes, open forests, thorny bushes and semi-deserts up to 1350 m above sea level.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.8-3.2 kg. The color of the short, smooth coat is sandy-red, the paws are reddish-brown, and the tip of the tail is black.

Vulpes chama

Distributed in Africa south of Zimbabwe and Angola. You can meet it in the steppes and rocky deserts.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 30-40 cm, weight – 3.5-4.5 kg.The color is reddish-brown agouti with a silver-gray back, the tip of the tail is black, there is no dark facial mask.

Korsak Vulpes corsac

Found in steppe zone south-eastern part of Russia, in Central Asia, Mongolia, in Transbaikalia to the north of Manchuria and the north of Afghanistan.

Externally, the corsac looks like common fox, but much smaller. Body length 50-60 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2.5-4 kg. The coat color is brownish-gray, the chin is white or slightly yellowish. Characteristic feature Corsacs have wide, noticeably prominent cheekbones.

Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata

Inhabits the steppe areas of the highlands (4500-4800 m above sea level) of Tibet and Nepal.

Body length – 60-67 cm, tail – 28-32 cm, weight – 4-5.5 kg. The body and ears are colored light gray agouti, the tip of the tail is white. The long and narrow head appears square due to the thick and dense collar. The fangs are elongated.

African fox Vulpes pallida

Inhabits North Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, from Senegal to Sudan and Somalia. Lives in deserts.

Body length – 40-45 cm, tail – 27-30 cm, weight – 2.5-2.7 kg. The coat is short and thin. The body and ears are yellowish-brown, the paws are red, and the tip of the tail is black. There are no markings on the face.

sand fox Vulpes rueppelii

Found from Morocco to Afghanistan, northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, Chad, Congo, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan. Inhabits deserts.

Body length – 40-52 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.7-2 kg. The coat is pale sandy in color, the tip of the tail is white, and there are black spots on the muzzle. It has large ears that help regulate body temperature, and the fur on its paw pads makes it easier to move across hot sand.

American corsac Vulpes velox

Found from Texas to South Dakota. From 1900 to 1970 this species was found in the northern Great Plains, in Canada, but, apparently, the American corsac was completely exterminated: in 1928 the fox disappeared from the province of Saskatchewan, and in 1938 from the province of Alberta. However, it has now been successfully reintroduced to the Canadian prairie.

Body length – 37-53 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2-3 kg. The coat is pale gray in winter, red in summer; the tip of the tail is black, and there are black spots on the sides of the muzzle.

American fox Vulpes macrotis

Inhabits northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. Lives in prairies and arid steppes.

Body length – 38-50 cm, tail – 22-30 cm, weight – 1.8-3 kg. The coat is yellow-red in color, the limbs are reddish-brown. The tail has a black tip and is very fluffy.

Vulpes cana

Inhabits Afghanistan, northeast Iran, Balochistan; an isolated population is known in Israel. You can meet it in mountainous regions.

Body length – 42-48 cm, tail – 30-35 cm, weight – 1.5-3 kg. The color is most often uniform dark, in winter time– brownish-gray. Bare paw pads are adapted for life in areas with steep slopes.

fennec Vulpes zerda

It is sometimes placed in the genus Fennecus due to its large ears, rounded skull and small teeth. Lives in North Africa, across the entire Sahara east to Sinai and Arabia. Lives in sandy deserts.

Body length – 24-41 cm, tail – 18-31 cm, weight – 0.9-1.5 kg. - the smallest of all foxes. The coat color is cream, the tip of the tail is black. The paw pads are pubescent. A notable feature of the fennec cat is its huge ears, which make up 20% of the body surface, helping the animal to cool itself in daytime heat(at high temperature air vessels in the ears expand, increasing heat transfer). However, at temperatures below 20° C, the fennec begins to shiver from the cold.

Arctic fox(arctic fox) Vulpes (Alopex) lagopus

Modern scientific classification sometimes classifies singular gender arctic foxes to the genus of foxes. The Arctic fox inhabits the subpolar zone; tundra and littoral areas of the sea coast.

Body length – 53-55 cm, tail – 30-32 cm, weight – 3.1-3.8 kg. There are two types of color: "white", which looks like taupe in summer, and "blue", which looks chocolate brown in summer. The fur is very dense, at least 70% is warm undercoat. have amazing resistance to cold.

Genus Urocyon (Grey foxes)

Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Found from the central United States to the prairies, from the south to Venezuela, from the north to Ontario.

Body length – 52-69 cm, tail – 27-45 cm, weight – 2.5-7 kg. The color is gray, with streaks, the throat is white, the paws are reddish-brown. A ridge of stiff black hairs runs along the dorsal surface of the tail.

island fox Urocyon littoralis

Distributed on the Channel Islands near California.

This is the smallest species of fox found in the United States. Body length - 48-50 cm, tail -12-29 cm, weight - 1.2-2.7 kg. Outwardly similar to the gray fox, but inferior to it in size. The island fox is mostly insectivorous.

Genus Otocyon (Big-eared foxes)

Big-eared fox Otocyon megalotis

Two populations are known: one occurs from the south of Zambia to South Africa, the other from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Prefers open spaces.

Body length – 46-58 cm, tail – 24-34 cm, weight – 3-4.5 kg. The color ranges from gray to dark yellow, there are black markings on the face, tips of the ears and paws, and a “strap” on the back. The ears are large (up to 12 cm). The big-eared fox differs from other species in its unusual dental structure: its teeth are weak, but together with additional molars they total is 46-50. The diet of this species is also very unusual: 80% of the diet consists of insects, mainly dung beetles and termites.

Genus Dusicyon (South American foxes)

The habitat of foxes of the genus Dusicyon is limited to South America. The color is usually gray with reddish-brown splashes. The skull is long and narrow; The ears are large, the tail is fluffy.

Andean foxDusicyon (Pseudalopex) culpaeus

It lives in the Andes, from Ecuador and Peru to the island of Tierra del Fuego. Found in the mountains and pampas.

Depending on the subspecies, body length varies from 60 to 115 cm, tail length - 30-45 cm, weight - 4.5-11 kg. The back and shoulders are gray, the head, neck, ears and paws are reddish-brown; the tip of the tail is black.

South American fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) griseus

It lives in the Andes, the population is mainly concentrated in Argentina and Chile. Lives at lower altitudes than the Andean fox.

Body length – 42-68 cm, tail – 31-36 cm, weight – 4.4 kg. The color is mottled light gray; the lower parts of the body are lighter.

Paraguayan fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) gymnocercus

Inhabits the pampas of Paraguay, Chile, southeastern Brazil, from southern through eastern Argentina to Rio Negro.

Body length – 62-65 cm, tail – 34-36 cm, weight – 4.8-6.5 kg.

Sekuran fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) sechurae

It lives in the coastal deserts of northern Peru and southern Ecuador.

Body length – 53-59 cm, tail – about 25 cm, weight – 4.5-4.7 kg. The coat is light gray, the tip of the tail is black.

Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) vetulus

Inhabits southern and central Brazil.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is about 30 cm, weight is 2.7-4 kg. The muzzle is short, the teeth are small. The coat color of the upper body is gray, the belly is white. There is a dark line on the dorsal surface of the tail.

Darwin's fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) fulvipes

Found on the island of Chiloe and in national park Nahuelbuta, Chile.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is 26 cm, weight is about 2 kg. The coat of the upper body is dark gray, the neck and belly are the color of cream. The species is endangered.

While traveling by ship in 1831, Charles Darwin acquired a specimen of the gray fox, which later received his name. In his journal, he recorded that on the island of Chiloe a fox was caught, belonging to a genus which appears to be unique to the island and very rare on it, and has not yet been described as a species. Although Darwin suspected the uniqueness of this fox, which was recently confirmed, the status of this animal remained unclear for a long time. It is distinguished by a dark brown, almost rusty head color and relatively short legs.

Dusicyon (Cerdocyon) thous

Distributed from Colombia and Venezuela to northern Argentina and Paraguay. Inhabits savannas and forests.

Body length - 60-70 cm, tail - 28-30 cm, weight -5-8 kg.

The coat is gray-brown, the ears are dark; tail with dark dorsal strap and white tip; paw pads are large; the muzzle is short.

(small fox or short-eared zorro) Dusicyon (Atelocynus) Microtis

Lives in tropical forests basin of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. Found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil.

Body length -72-100 cm, tail - 25-35 cm, weight up to 9 kg. The color is dark, the ears are short and rounded. The teeth are long and strong. Cat's gait.

Literature: Mammals: Complete illustrated encyclopedia /Translated from English/ Book. I. Predatory, marine mammals, primates, tupayas, woolly wings. / Ed. D. MacDonald. – M: “Omega”, – 2007.

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The gray fox is an indigenous inhabitant of the American continent. These animals live in the USA, South America, Mexico, Colombia and northern Venezuela.

Gray foxes are similar in appearance to red foxes, but the former have shorter limbs and a bushier tail.

Gray foxes are excellent at climbing trees; in this indicator, these representatives of the canine family are not inferior to cats. Among its closest relatives, such abilities are observed only in the raccoon; other canines do not climb trees.

Gray foxes often climb into the lush crowns of trees located on high altitude from the earth. These animals love to rest on thick branches and in the crowns of trees. But in any case, they give preference earth's surface, it is on the ground that gray foxes spend most of their time.

Fox appearance

Representatives of the species grow to 30-40 centimeters at the withers, while the body length varies within 80 centimeters. Gray foxes weigh from 4 to 7 kilograms. The tail length reaches 45 centimeters.

The legs are light brown, much darker than the rest of the body. The sides, back of the neck and back are dark gray in color. A narrow black stripe runs along the top of the dark gray tail. The tip of the tail is also black. This is the main difference between the gray fox and the red fox, whose tail tip is white.

The chest and belly of representatives of the species are white. The neck, underside of the tail and narrow stripe on the lower belly are rusty brown. The lower part of the muzzle is white. Also, white fur frames the black tip of the nose.

The muzzle has a shortened shape. The ears are small. Such small size and camouflage color help the predator during the hunt.

Reproduction

Gray foxes are monogamous and form pairs for life. The gestation period is 2 months. The female gives birth to 1 to 7 fox cubs. Babies grow up quickly and at the age of 4 months they are already capable of hunting independently. By 11 months of life, red foxes reach sexual maturity; at this age, the young animals leave their parents. Young individuals look for mates, form families and begin to lead adult life.

Gray foxes have very soft fur. It was because of their fur that these animals were always mercilessly shot. It was only thanks to their high fertility that these animals were not completely destroyed.

In addition, gray foxes have an easier time surviving than other canids because they are omnivores. These animals eat rodents, birds, bird eggs and various vegetation. Red foxes love a variety of grasses and especially wild fruits.

Number

Today, the number of gray foxes remains at a stable level. Despite the fact that American farmers often shoot these animals to protect their chickens and ducks, their numbers are quickly restored by the younger generation. In addition, these animals are cunning and very cautious, so they do not often catch the eye of people. From this we can safely conclude that the population is not threatened with destruction in the near future.

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

Range: Southeastern Canada to Venezuela and Colombia, excluding parts of the Great Plain and mountainous regions (Rocky Mountains) of the northwestern United States and east coast Central America (watersheds of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama). Over the past 50 years, the gray fox's overall range has expanded to new areas and areas where the gray fox was previously extirpated, including New England, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Ontario, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah.

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

Adult gray foxes have fur that is a mixture of white, red, 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 top of the head, back, sides and the rest of the tail are gray. The belly, chest, legs and sides of the head are reddish-brown. The 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 wide 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, which is how gray foxes differ from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which have slit pupils.

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

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

Gray foxes prefer to live in deciduous forests, alternating with thick forest areas. Many populations thrive where forests alternate with agricultural land, 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 occur, the former prefer mixed forests with dense undergrowth. In the absence of red foxes, they prefer other habitats.

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, forest, chaparral, riparian, and shrubland landscapes. This species occupies forested areas and has abundant prey habitat in Central America and wooded areas mountainous places In South America. Gray foxes are also found in semi-arid areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico where there is ample cover. Apparently they do well in some urban areas.

The territoriality of gray foxes is poorly studied. Territories are marked by urine and feces, but in many areas the areas overlap significantly. Family plots are formed so that the couple's individual territories overlap. The family plots themselves usually do not overlap. The 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 have not been determined. Foxes tracked from May to August 1980 and January to August 1981 had an average monthly home range of 299 hectares and an average family range of 676 hectares. The difficulty 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 drop sharply at sunrise and increase at sunset. Gray foxes usually leave the resting area at daytime shortly before sunset, they explore the nearest territory and then move into the hunting zone. Shortly before sunrise they usually return to their daytime resting area. At the same time, gray foxes are often active during the daytime.

Gray foxes usually change their resting areas 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 escape danger. However, these foxes often climb trees to 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 o portunisticallyomnivorous. Although they prey on small vertebrates and birds, fruits and invertebrates also form a significant part of their diet, usually in proportions depending on the time of year. Thus, rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), mouse-like animals (Peromyscus spp., Neotoma spp., Sigmodon hispidus, etc.) make up most of their winter diet. Starting in spring, invertebrates, fruits, nuts and grains are included in the diet. Preferred insects are orthoptera and beetles. Depending on the region, the fox is often primarily dependent on rabbits and other small mammals in the winter and insects and fruit in the summer. In some areas, the general diet may consist predominantly of plant foods.

If the prey is large, foxes hide the remains, often burying it. After this, they usually mark the cache with urine or use scent glands on their paws and tail. If 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 leg to display their genitals. Adult animals use their scents to mark territory.

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

They are considered monogamous, but direct evidence is lacking. There are reports of in rare cases polygamy and polyandry.

During the raising of offspring, there are family groups consisting of a male, female and young. Pairs form in the fall, before breeding occurs in winter. During October and September, when females are attracting mates, males tend to be more aggressive. Like domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), gray foxes have a violet gland. Foxes also have additional scent glands on their faces and pads. Although these glands are primarily used to demarcate territory, they can also be used to attract potential mates.

Reproduction occurs annually. The breeding season varies depending on geographic region, altitude and habitat quality and ranges from late winter to early spring(from December to March). Where the gray fox is sympatric with the red fox, it begins breeding 2-4 weeks later than red foxes.

Pregnancy is from 53 to 63 days. The maximum number of births usually occurs in April. Litter from 1 to 7 puppies, average 3.8. However, litter size is not well studied. Puppies are born blind and almost naked. Average birth weight is 86-95 g. Eyes open 9 days after birth. Feeding with milk continues up to 6 weeks, but weaning begins at 2-3 weeks, then only complementary feeding continues. Solid food begins at around 3 weeks of age, mostly provided by the father. Parents begin teaching puppies to hunt at about 4 months. Until then, both parents hunt separately, and the pups practice their hunting skills by pouncing and chasing the half-dead prey they bring. First of all, their father teaches them to hunt. 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 in late summer and autumn.

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

Life expectancy in both captivity and 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 bobcats (Lynx rufus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), eagle owls (Bubo virginianus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Unlike red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which flee from predators using speed and agility, gray foxes hide in cover (for example, in thickets). From terrestrial predators, gray foxes can use their ability to climb trees.

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

Name: gray fox, tree fox.
Latin generic name Urocyonis, based on Greek words oura(tail) and kyon(dog). Species name cinereoargenteusis derived from Greek word cinereus(ashy) and argenteus(silver), indicating the dominant color of the fox.

Area: The gray fox is found throughout most of North America from southern regions Canada to the Isthmus of Panama also in northern South America (Venezuela and Colombia). Gray fox not found in Rocky Mountains in the far northwestern United States. The gray fox disappeared from Canada in the late 17th century, but they have recently been found in southern Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec. In a number of places it disappeared after the brown fox from Europe acclimatized there. Some researchers argue that the causal relationship between these events is questionable. According to them, the decline in gray fox numbers, and the spread of brown fox, was the result of changes in human land use.

Description: The gray fox is smaller than the brown fox and looks like a small dog with a bushy tail. She has short ones powerful legs and strong, hooked claws that make it easy to climb tree trunks and branches. Compared to other canids, the gray fox has a rather variegated coloration, and its fur is quite short and coarse. The tail is triangular in cross section rather than round. Skull length: from 9.5 to 12.8 cm. Number of teeth - 42.

Color: The back, sides and top of the long, bushy tail are gray or dark gray with silver flecks. The muzzle is also gray. The lower part of the neck, chest, abdomen, as well as the front and inner sides legs are distinguished by a whitish-gray color. The tip of the tail is black. Slightly noticeable black stripes appear on the back (sometimes they are clearly visible). The crown, side of the neck, edges of the abdomen and the outer sides of the legs are colored reddish-gray, and sometimes have a bright reddish-orange color. Because of this coloration, the gray fox is sometimes mistakenly identified as brown fox, which can always be distinguished by its black legs and white tail tip. Fox cubs are almost black.

Size: Body length - 48-69 cm; heads - 9.5-12.8 cm; length - 25-40 cm; height at withers - about 30 cm.

Weight: ranges from 2.5 to 7 kg, but most often it is 3.5-6 kg. Females are always somewhat lighter than males.

Lifespan: in nature up to 6 years, maximum life expectancy in captivity is 15 years.

Habitat: Most often, the gray fox can be found in thickets of bushes, on forest edges, and in mountain copses. In general, it prefers wooded areas, although it is found in cultivated fields and in the vicinity of cities. Of the tree plantations, pine trees are the most preferred. The gray fox prefers pine groves to deciduous ones everywhere within its range; this is where it mainly locates its den. At the same time, for hunting and feeding, she often chooses deciduous tree and shrub plantations, in which small mammals more numerous.

Like other canids, gray foxes communicate with each other and through sounds. These vocalizations include aggressive yelps, resonant howls, soft whimpers, and specific calls. Among the sounds made by a gray fox when it sees a person, the most characteristic is a sharp bark.

Food: The gray fox is an omnivore, and its diet is very diverse and depends on the time of year and habitat and includes: small vertebrates, especially rabbits, rodents, birds and their eggs, insects. Sometimes she has to eat alone plant foods(fruits, fruits, nuts, grains, etc.), the fox does not refuse carrion. Thanks to its ability to climb trees, its diet includes purely arboreal creatures such as squirrels - in some places playing important role in the diet of the gray fox, which does not occur in other wild canids.

Behavior: Gray foxes love to climb trees, which is why they are often called "tree foxes." At the first danger, they often climb onto low or half-fallen, leaning trees. This ability likely allowed the gray fox to coexist with coyotes, while the brown fox population declined significantly as the coyote population increased.
How do gray foxes climb trees? Lightly grasping the tree trunk with her front paws, she pushes her body up with her hind legs, which, thanks to her long and strong claws, hold her firmly to the trunk. In addition, the fox is able to jump onto the branching branches of a tree, using this ability to ambush prey from above. On the ground, when chasing prey or hiding from an enemy, a gray fox can reach speeds of up to 17 km/h, but only over relatively short distances.
It hunts mainly at night and twilight, and lies down all day in a secluded place, sleeps and rests. Animals are usually attached to the same place, so their lifestyle is sedentary; they have never been seen migrating. They rarely dig burrows on their own, but more often they occupy other people’s burrows, sometimes as own home They are fond of tree hollows and can settle in rock crevices, voids under stones and trunks, even in abandoned buildings. In eastern Texas, a cavity was found used by a fox to rest about 10 m above the ground in a large hollow oak tree. In central Texas, a den was found in a hollow live oak tree with an entrance 1 m above the ground. The unusual den was found under a pile of wood, into which the fox had "tunneled."
Gray foxes need clean water for drinking, so they regularly visit the pond. In this regard, they locate their dens near a source of drinking water, where, over time, a clearly visible path is trodden down.

Social structure: They live in pairs, occupying a specific family territory. In the summer, while the fox cubs are growing up, gray foxes wander family packs, which disintegrate by autumn. The area of ​​the family plot varies from 3 to 27.6 km 2 and in different family groups they usually partially overlap. Outside the breeding season, the individual areas of males practically do not overlap, while the areas of males and females can overlap by 25-30%. The size of such overlap depends both on the food supply of the areas and on the season of the year. Being fairly silent territorialists, gray foxes mark their territorial boundaries with piles of droppings and urine, which are left on the most noticeable boundary markers such as tufts of grass and protruding structures: earthen hummocks, stumps, individual stones, etc. These scent marks are regularly updated, especially in places frequently visited by animals. The specific smell is provided by a secretion produced by a pair of violet glands located on both sides of the anus. Both males and females appear to raise their leg when marking territory with urine. A pungent odor, very similar to that emitted by skunks, is easily detected even by humans in areas where gray foxes have frequently marked “border posts.”

Reproduction: During the breeding season, numerous fierce fights occur between males, after which the winning male remains with the female and forms a pair. After the birth of offspring, males take Active participation in obtaining food for puppies and protecting the boundaries of the family plot from the penetration of other foxes.

Breeding season/period: The time of rutting and mating depends on the latitude of the area and is observed from December to April.

Puberty: males mature at 10 months; females give birth at one year of age.

Pregnancy: lasts 51-63 days, average 53 days.

Offspring: In a den carefully lined with dry grass, leaves or crushed tree bark, from 2 to 7 (average 3.8) black-brown, blind and helpless puppies are born. Puppies weighing about 100 g have their eyes closed; they open only at 10-14 days. Lactation lasts 7-9 weeks, and solid food they begin to consume from 5-6 weeks. If possible, as soon as the puppies have grown up a little, the foxes try to change the old den for a new one due to the massive reproduction of fleas in them, which greatly pester both adults and puppies.
At the age of four months, fox cubs begin to accompany adults on hunts.
Fox cubs are weaned at 6 weeks of age. At three months of age, fox cubs begin to hunt with their parents.

Benefit/harm for humans: The fur of the gray fox is of rather low quality, so it is not of particular interest as an object of industrial hunting, but only as a sport one. In the state of Texas, the gray fox is considered one of the most important fur-bearing animals. It is abundant in desert areas, where it often helps farmers in the fight against harmful rodents. When the gray fox becomes a pest itself, eating chickens and destroying crops, farmers shoot them or catch them in all sorts of traps.

Population/Conservation Status: Widespread, not endangered.

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We know that most people love foxes, but how can you not love these beauties in fluffy fur coats? Therefore, we decided that you would be interested in learning about some of the most beautiful and bright views these forest animals. The common or red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is what usually comes to mind when you hear the word “fox” and this makes sense, because this species of fox is the most widespread 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 views foxes 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 during the heat of the day. Their creamy fur also helps them avoid the harsh sun during the day and keep them warm at night.

Red Fox

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

Marble Fox

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

Gray Fox

The gray fox that lives in North America, distinguished by its salt-and-pepper coat, black-tipped tail and red muzzle, this fox is one of the few canines capable of climbing trees.

Black and brown fox (Silver Fox)

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

Arctic Fox

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

Cross Fox

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