Vulpes vulpes

Red foxes are the most widely distributed wild carnivores in the world, occurring in North America, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. They are also widespread in Australia, where they were introduced in about 1850 so that fox-hunters would have something to hunt. Their range in North America has expanded since colonial times as their competitors, wolves, were eliminated, but their range has also contracted in areas where they are in competition with coyotes. Red foxes prey on voles, rabbits, hares, and other small mammals, and also eat birds, fruits, and invertebrates even beetles and earthworms. A male female pair typically inhabits a territory, and older, usually female, siblings help care for the younger offspring by bringing them food. Red foxes are among the main carriers and victims of rabies.

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Fox have a bad reputation: they are known as chicken-killers and bird-robbers. That is why they have been hunted and chased away for a long time. They eat whatever they can get hold of, from rabbits to dead animals to rubbish from garbage containers. They will also eat berries and fruit. When there is more food than they can eat, a part of the spoils will be buried or hidden. The only Dutch Wadden Island where fox live is on Vlieland.

The red fox is typically active at dusk (crepuscular) or at night (nocturnal), but is often active in the day in more undisturbed areas (3). The diet is extremely broad, and includes small mammals, many invertebrates, and birds, as well as fruit, carrion (3) and items scavenged from dustbins, bird tables and compost heaps (2).

The size of a small dog, the red fox is the largest member of the genus Vulpes and is well-known for its large bushy tail, which is often tipped with white (3). The fur is variable in colour (3), but is usually reddish-brown to flame-red above and white to black below (5); the lower limbs and the back of the ears are often black (3).

Red foxes are found throughout much of the northern hemisphere from the Arctic circle to Central America, the steppes of central Asia, and northern Africa. This species has the widest distribution of any Canidae. Red foxes have also been introduced to Australia and the Falkland Islands.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native ); neotropical (Introduced , Native ); australian (Introduced )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA ID IL IN KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY AB BC MB NB NF NT NS ON PE PQ SK YK MEXICO

Widespread (especially Nile Valley and Delta).

Distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the Asiatic steppes, the Red Fox has the widest geographical range of any member of the order Carnivora (covering nearly 70 million km²). Not found in Iceland, the Arctic islands, some parts of Siberia, or in extreme deserts. European subspecies introduced into eastern United States and Canada in 17th century, subsequently mixed with local subspecies. The species was also introduced to Australia in 1800s. Elsewhere introduced to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and to the Isle of Man (UK), although it may subsequently have disappeared there.

Red foxes are found throughout much of the northern hemisphere from the Arctic circle to Central America, the steppes of central Asia, and northern Africa. This species has the widest distribution of any canid. Red foxes have also been introduced to Australia and the Falkland Islands.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Native ); neotropical (Introduced , Native ); australian (Introduced )

Other Geographic Terms: holarctic

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Holarctic. Throughout North America north of Mexico except for parts of the Southwest (but see Mikesic and Larue 2003) and Rocky Mountains. Though the species is native to North America, introductions were made in eastern North America during colonial times, resulting in increased numbers and/or range expansion in some areas. Range expanded in North Amercia in the 1900s (Nowak 1991).

Distributed throughout the northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle in the north, as far south as north Africa (3), including much of North America, all of Europe and most of Asia, including Japan (1). They are found practically everywhere in mainland Britain, as well as on many islands (4).

Red fox fur color ranges from pale yellowish red to deep reddish brown on the upper parts and white, ashy, or slaty on the underside. The lower part of the legs is usually black and the tail usually has a white or black tip. Two other kinds of fur colors are fairly common. Cross foxes have reddish brown fur with a black stripe down the back and another across the shoulders. Silver foxes range from strong silver to nearly black and are the most prized by furriers. These variants are about 25% and 10% of red fox individuals, respectively. Red foxes, like many other Canidae species, have tail glands. The eyes of adult foxes are yellow. The nose is dark brown or black. The length of their jaws is more than half the length of the head. They have sharp canines for grabbing and strong molars for chewing and crushing. They have 5 claws on their front feet and 4 on the rear. Red fox males are larger than females. They range from 827 to 1097 mm in length, with the tail making up 291 to 455 mm of that. They weigh from 3 to 7 kg.

Red foxes are the largest fox species. Head and body length ranges from 455 to 900 mm, tail length from 300 to 555 mm, and weight from 3 to 14 kg. Males are slightly larger than females. Populations in southern deserts and in North America are smaller than European populations.

Range mass: 3 to 14 kg.

Range length: 455 to 900 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Average basal metabolic rate: 13.731 W.

Coloration of red foxes ranges from pale yellowish red to deep reddish brown on the upper parts and white, ashy or slaty on the underside. The lower part of the legs is usually black and the tail usually has a white or black tip. Two color variants commonly occur. Cross foxes have reddish brown fur with a black stripe down the back and another across the shoulders. Silver foxes range from strong silver to nearly black and are the most prized by furriers. These variants are about 25% and 10% of red fox individuals, respectively. Red foxes, like many other canid species, have tail glands. In Vulpes vulpes this gland is located 75 mm above the root of the tail on its upper surface and lies within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The eyes of mature animals are yellow. The nose is dark brown or black. The dental formula is 3/3 1/1 4/4 2/3. The tooth row is more than half the length of the skull. The premolars are simple and pointed, with the exception of upper fourth premolars, the carnassials. Molar structure emphasizes crushing. The manus has 5 claws and the pes 4 claws. The first digit, or dew claw, is rudimentary but clawed and does not contact the ground.

Red foxes are the largest of the Vulpes species. Head and body length ranges from 455 to 900 mm, tail length from 300 to 555 mm, and weight from 3 to 14 kg. Males are slightly larger than females. Populations in southern deserts and in North America are smaller than European populations. Body mass and length among populations also varies with latitude (being larger in the north, according to Bergmann's rule).

Range mass: 3 to 14 kg.

Range length: 455 to 900 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Average basal metabolic rate: 13.731 W.

Sexual Dimorphism: Males can be 15%-25% heavier than females.

Length:
Range: "827-1,097 mm "

Weight:
Range: 3-7 kg

Length: 103 cm

Weight: 6800 grams

Red foxes utilize a wide range of habitats including forest, tundra, prairie, desert, mountains, farmlands, and urban areas. They prefer mixed vegetation communities, such as edge habitats and mixed scrub and woodland. They are found from sea level to 4500 meters elevation.

Range elevation: 0 to 4500 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest ; mountains

Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban ; agricultural ; riparian

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Red foxes utilize a wide range of habitats including forest, tundra, prairie, desert, mountains, farmlands, and urban areas. They prefer mixed vegetation communities, such as edge habitats and mixed scrub and woodland. They are found from sea level to 4500 meters elevation.

Range elevation: 0 to 4500 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest ; mountains

Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban ; agricultural ; riparian

Comments: Various open and semi-open habitats. Usually avoids dense forest, although open woodlands frequently are used. Sometimes occurs in suburban areas or even cities (e.g., in England). May range onto sea ice (Labrador). Maternity dens are in burrows dug by fox or abandoned by other mammals, often in open fields or wooded areas, sometimes under rural buildings, in hollow logs, under stumps, etc.

This highly adaptable species is found in many habitats, from sand dunes to mountain tops (2). It also occurs in urban areas (4), and seems to fare particularly well in affluent suburbs (3).

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

Red foxes are essentially omnivores. They mostly eat Rodentia, Sylvilagus floridanus, Insecta, and fruit. They will also eat carrion. Red foxes also store food and are very good at relocating these caches. Red foxes have a characteristic manner of hunting Peromyscus leucopus. The fox stands motionless, listening and watching intently for a mouse it has detected. It then leaps high and brings the forelimbs straight down forcibly to pin the mouse to the ground. They eat between 0.5 and 1 kg of food each day.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; reptiles; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: fruit

Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food

Red foxes are omnivorous. They eat a variety of animals and plant
materials depending mainly on the availability of the food source.
Small mammals, birds, fruits, and insects comprise the bulk of the diet
[5].

Voles (Microtus spp.), mice (Muridae), woodchucks (Marmota monax) and
several lagomorph species (eastern cottontails [Sylvilagus floridanus],
snowshoe hares [Lepus americanus], and black-tailed jackrabbits [L.
californicus]) are often preferred [36]. In New York and New England,
meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were the most commonly eaten prey
item. Rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) were also commonly eaten. Throughout
most of the year in Ontario, meadow voles are the major prey,
constituting as much as 50 percent of the red fox's diet [36].

Red foxes may also eat squirrels (Spermophilus spp.), young Virginia
opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor), skunks
(Mustelidae), domestic cats (Felis catus), domestic dogs (Canis
familiaris), weasels (Mustela spp.), mink (Mustela vison), common
muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), shrews (Soricidae), moles (Talpidae),
common porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), pocket gophers (Geomyidae),
songbirds, crows (Corvus spp.), ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus
colchicus), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), grouse
(Tetraoninae), waterfowl (Anseriformes), wild turkeys (Meleagris
gallopavo), domestic chickens, American woodcocks (Scolopax minor),
hawks (Accipitridae), owls (Strigiformes), bird eggs, turtles, and
turtle eggs. Plant foods such as grasses, sedges (Carex spp.), nuts,
berries, pears, apples, grapes, and corn, wheat, and many other grains
are eaten by red foxes. Livestock and big game are sometimes eaten as
carrion [1,5,30,36].

Seasonal variations are prominent in the diet of red foxes. The diet
generally changes from mostly animal matter in the winter to insects and
fruit in the summer and fall [5]. Red foxes show a strong preference
for certain wild berries and fruits. During seasons of abundance,
blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), raspberries (Rubus spp.) and black
cherries (Prunus serotina) may constitute almost 100 percent of the diet
[1].

Red foxes are essentially omnivores. They mostly eat rodents, eastern cottontail rabbits, insects, and fruit. They will also eat carrion. Red foxes also store food and are very good at relocating these caches. Red foxes have a characteristic manner of hunting mice. The fox stands motionless, listening and watching intently for a mouse it has detected. It then leaps high and brings the forelimbs straight down forcibly to pin the mouse to the ground. They eat between 0.5 and 1 kg of food each day.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; reptiles; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: fruit

Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food

Primary Diet: omnivore

Comments: Opportunistic omnivore; eats whatever is available--small mammals, carrion, birds, insects, fruit, human refuse, etc. Rabbits and mice are common prey. Often uses same foraging route.

Red foxes help to control populations of their prey animals, such as rodents and rabbits. They also may disperse seeds by eating fruit.

Most red foxes that are taken by natural predators are young pups. Pups are kept in and near a den and protected by their family to avoid this. Adult red foxes may also be attacked by Canis latrans, Canis lupus, or other predators, but this is rarely in order to eat them. The most significant predators on red foxes are humans, who hunt foxes for their fur and kill them in large numbers as pests.

Known Predators:

• eagles (Accipitridae)
• coyotes (Canis_latrans)
• gray wolves (Canis_lupus)
• bears (Ursidae)
• mountain lions (Puma_concolor)
• humans (Homo_sapiens)

Gray wolves (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx) sometimes kill red foxes
[1,5]. Other large predators such as mountain lions (Felis concolor),
bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) probably also
occasionally kill red foxes. Humans hunt and trap red foxes [1,5,36].

Animal / dung saprobe
apothecium of Ascobolus brassicae is saprobic in/on dung or excretions of dung of Vulpes vulpes

Animal / vector
Capillaria hepatica is spread by Vulpes vulpes

Animal / dung saprobe
perithecium of Chaetomium crispatum is saprobic in/on dung or excretions of dung of Vulpes vulpes
Other: unusual host/prey

Animal / dung/debris feeder
larva of Geotrupes vernalis feeds on dung/debris buried dung of Vulpes vulpes

Animal / vector
Leptospira is spread by Vulpes vulpes

Animal / dung saprobe
scattered or gregarious, superficial, sessile apothecium of Saccobolus dilutellus is saprobic in/on dung or excretions of dung of Vulpes vulpes

Animal / dung saprobe
mostly immersed pseudothecium of Sporormiella minima is saprobic in/on dung or excretions of dung of Vulpes vulpes

Animal / parasite / endoparasite
usually solitary tapeworm of Taenia taeniaeformis endoparasitises small intestine of Vulpes vulpes

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / predator
adult of Vulpes vulpes is predator of adult of Timarcha tenebricosa

Red foxes help to control populations of their prey animals, such as rodents and rabbits. They also may disperse seeds by eating fruit.

Most red foxes that are taken by natural predators are young pups. Pups are kept in and near a den and protected by their family to avoid this. Adult red foxes may also be attacked by coyotes, wolves, or other predators, but this is rarely in order to eat them. The most significant predators on red foxes are humans, who hunt foxes for their fur and kill them in large numbers as pests.

Known Predators:

• eagles (Accipitridae)
• coyotes (Canis latrans)
• gray wolves (Canis lupus)
• bears (Ursidae)
• mountain lions (Puma concolor)
• humans (Homo sapiens)

Vulpes vulpes is prey of:
Accipitridae
Ursidae
Homo sapiens
Canis lupus
Canis latrans
Puma concolor

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Vulpes vulpes preys on:
Geomyidae
Marmota
Lepus
Arvicolinae
Tamias
Spermophilus
Peromyscus maniculatus
Microtus
Isoptera
Coleoptera
Hymenoptera
Auchenorrhyncha
Leporidae
Gerbillinae
Araneae
Cicindelidae
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Rodentia
Phasianidae
Timaliidae
Pavo
Chelydra serpentina
Chrysemys picta
Trachemys scripta
Eumeces fasciatus
Thamnophis butleri
Lampropeltis triangulum
Anser anser
Anas fulvigula
Anas acuta
Anas americana
Aix sponsa
Fulica americana
Larus californicus
Larus canus
Chordeiles minor
Dendroica petechia
Didelphis virginiana
Sorex cinereus
Blarina brevicauda
Blarina carolinensis
Neurotrichus gibbsii
Parascalops breweri
Myotis grisescens
Sylvilagus floridanus
Sciurus carolinensis
Tamias alpinus
Tamias striatus
Thomomys talpoides
Dipodomys californicus
Dipodomys compactus
Dipodomys deserti
Dipodomys venustus
Peromyscus leucopus
Peromyscus boylii
Peromyscus polionotus
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Microtus xanthognathus
Microtus ochrogaster
Reithrodontomys megalotis
Rattus norvegicus
Mus musculus
Zapus princeps
Felis silvestris
Macropus bernardus
Onychogalea fraenata
Petrogale assimilis
Falcipennis canadensis
Eliomys quercinus
Muscardinus avellanarius
Petauroides volans
Gazella gazella
Procapra gutturosa
Clethrionomys glareolus
Sorex araneus
Miniopterus australis

Based on studies in:
USA: Montana (Tundra)
Russia (Tundra)
India, Rajasthan Desert (Desert or dune)

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Summer home range varies greatly, 142-1280 acres (Ables 1969); winter ranges more extensive; home range diameter usually 2-4 km, up to 8 km or more if food scarce (see Caire et al. 1989). Social groups in a city in England exhibited drifting territoriality; ranges averaged about 40 ha (Doncaster and MacDonald 1991). In Japan, spring-summer home range was 357-631 ha; foxes moved about 6 km each night in going from village to village (Cavallini, 1992, J. Mamm. 73:321-325). Averages one family (about 7 foxes) per 4 sq miles (Baker 1983). May be excluded by coyote from some areas of otherwise suitable habitat.

Red foxes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate among themselves. They also use facial expressions and scent marking extensively. Red foxes have excellent senses of vision, smell, and touch.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Red foxes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate among themselves. They also use facial expressions and scent marking extensively. Scent marking is through urine, feces, anal sac secretions, the supracaudal gland, and glands around the lips, jaw, and the pads of the feet. There have been 28 different kinds of vocalizations described in red foxes and individuals have voices that can be distinguished. Vocalizations are used to communicate with foxes that are both nearby and very fary away. Red foxes have excellent senses of vision, smell, and touch.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: scent marks

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Comments: Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal.

Red foxes have been known to live 10 to 12 years in captivity but live on average 3 years in the wild.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 12.0 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 3.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 7.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.0 years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 12.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 21.3 years (captivity) Observations: One wild born female was still living in captivity at an estimated 21.3 years of age (Richard Weigl 2005).

Red foxes may breed in male/female pairs or in groups with one breeding male and multiple females. Females in the same group may share a den and help each other raise their young.

Mating System: monogamous ; polygynous ; cooperative breeder

Breeding season varies from region to region but usually begins in December or January in the south, January to February in the central regions, and February to April in the north. Females are pregnant usually for 51 to 53 days and give birth to about 5 pups, although some litters have been as large as 13 pups! Just before and for a time after giving birth the female remains in or around the den. The male will give his mate food but does not go into the maternity den. Young red foxes are between 50 and 150 g in weight when they are born. The pups are born blind but open their eyes 9 to 14 days after birth. Pups leave the den 4 or 5 weeks after birth and are fully weaned by 8 to 10 weeks. Mothers and pups remain together until the autumn after birth. Red foxes are fully grown by 10 months old.

Breeding interval: Red foxes breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Breeding season varies from region to region but usually begins in December or January in the south, January to February in the central regions, and February to April in the north.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 9.

Average number of offspring: 4.59.

Range gestation period: 49 to 55 days.

Range weaning age: 56 to 70 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10.0 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 10.0 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 100 g.

Average number of offspring: 5.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 304 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 304 days.

Red fox males and females, and sometimes their older offspring, cooperate to care for the pups. Young remain in the den for 4 to 5 weeks, where they are cared for and nursed by their mother. They are nursed for 56 to 70 days and are provided with solid food by their parents and older siblings. The young remain with their parents at least until the fall of the year they were born in and will sometimes remain longer, especially females.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning

Red fox mating behavior varies substantially. Often males and females are monogamous, but males with multiple female mates are also know, as are male/female pairs that use non-breeding female helpers in raising their young. Females mated to the same male fox may share a den. Red fox groups always have only one breeding male, but that male may also seek mating outside of the group.

Mating System: monogamous ; polygynous ; cooperative breeder

The annual estrous period of female red foxes last from 1 to 6 days. Ovulation is spontaneous and does not require copulation to occur. The exact time of estrous and breeding varies across the broad geographic range of the species: December-January in the south, January-February in the central regions, and February-April in the north. Males will fight during the breeding season. Males have a cycle of fecundity, with full spermatogenesis only occurring from November to March. Females may mate with a number of males but will establish a partnership with only one male. Copulation usually lasts 15 or 20 minutes and is often accompanied by a vocal clamor. Implantation of the fertilized egg occurs between 10 and 14 days after a successful mating. Just before and for a time after giving birth the female remains in or around the den. The male partner will provision his mate with food but does not go into the maternity den. Gestation is typically between 51 and 53 days but can be as short as 49 days or as long as 56 days. Litters vary in size from 1 to 13 pups with an average of 5. Birth weight is between 50 and 150 g. The pups are born blind but open their eyes 9 to 14 days after birth. Pups leave the den 4 or 5 weeks after birth and are fully weaned by 8 to 10 weeks. Mother and pups remain together until the autumn after the birth. Sexual maturity is reached by 10 months.

Breeding interval: Red foxes breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Breeding season varies from region to region but usually begins in December or January in the south, January to February in the central regions, and February to April in the north.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 9.

Average number of offspring: 4.59.

Range gestation period: 49 to 55 days.

Range weaning age: 56 to 70 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10.0 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 10.0 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 100 g.

Average number of offspring: 5.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 304 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 304 days.

Red fox males and females, and sometimes their older offspring, cooperate to care for the pups. Young remain in the den for 4 to 5 weeks, where they are cared for and nursed by their mother. They are nursed for 56 to 70 days and are provided with solid food by their parents and older siblings. The young remain with their parents at least until the fall of the year they were born in and will sometimes remain longer, especially females.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Male, Female, Protecting: Male, Female); post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning

Breeds in winter. Gestation lasts 51-56 (average 53) days. Litter of 1-10 (average 4-5) young is born in March-April. Young are weaned in 8-10 weeks, when young leave den and learn to hunt with parents. Male and female may divide young between two dens. Young become independent in fall. Sexually mature the winter after their birth.

Three subspecies are listed in CITES appendix III. Overall, red fox populations are stable and they have expanded their range in response to human changes in habitats.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix iii

State of Michigan List: no special status

Information on state- and province-level protection status of animals in the
United States and Canada is available at NatureServe, although recent changes
in status may not be included.

Vulpes vulpes necator is Under Review for listing [39].

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2004
  Least Concern
• 1996
  Lower Risk/least concern

Three subspecies are listed in CITES appendix III. Overall, red fox populations are stable and they have expanded their range in response to human changes in habitats.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: appendix iii

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Native, resident.

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

No legislative protection.

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Foxes are perceived as important predators of ground nesting birds, gamebirds, and livestock, and are therefore widely controlled (6). Most deaths are caused by road accidents, shooting and other methods of control, and secondary poisoning may also be a factor resulting in mortality (4). Furthermore, foxes are hunted with hounds in Britain; this is a contentious issue (2).

Conservation Actions

Management Requirements: Sterile red foxes have been used to eliminate introduced arctic foxes from Alaskan islands (to restore habitat for birds) (Bailey 1992, 1993).

Control of red fox predation on duck nests in the prairie pothole region can be facilitated by managing for the presence of low number of coyotes, which exclude the more destructive foxes (NBS news release, 29 June 1994).

The red fox is legislatively widely regarded as vermin and is therefore unprotected (3). In Britain, it is protected by closed seasons against hunting (3). No conservation measures are in place (3). Research into fox predation and control is being carried out by the Game Conservancy Trust (6).

Red foxes are considered by many to be threats to poultry. In general, foxes hunt their natural prey, but individual foxes may learn to target domestic birds if they are not adequately protected. Foxes are known vectors for rabies and can transmit the disease to humans and other animals.

Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); causes or carries domestic animal disease

Red foxes are important fur bearers and more are raised on farms than any other wild fur bearing mammal. Red foxes also help to control populations of small rodents and rabbits and may disperse seeds.

Positive Impacts: body parts are source of valuable material; controls pest population

Red foxes are considered by many to be threats to poultry. In general, foxes hunt their natural prey, but individual foxes may learn to target domestic birds if they are not adequately protected. Foxes are known vectors for rabies and can transmit the disease to humans and other animals.

Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); causes or carries domestic animal disease

Red foxes are important fur bearers and more are raised on farms than any other wild fur bearing mammal. Red foxes also help to control populations of small rodents and rabbits and may disperse seeds.

Positive Impacts: body parts are source of valuable material; controls pest population

Comments: Harvested for pelt in some areas.

Species Impact: In California, expanding non-native red fox populations pose a threat to endangered kit fox populations (Ralls and White 1995).