Red Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes fulva

Common Problems: People have an unjustified fear of the fox. This shy creature will usually prefer fleeing to any kind of confrontation and will only become aggressive under direct threat. They can be attracted to garbage cans or to food left out for pets. So obviously removing these attractants will keep the fox farther away from your home. Keeping your yard cleaned of debris and fencing are also helpful.       

Description: Averages 40" in length including the 12-14" tail and weighing 8-14 pounds. The coat is a yellowish-red, darkening to rust on the head. The legs are black and the bushy tail has a white tip.

Breeding: A litter of 4 to 9 blind babies are born in March and April. Babies have brown, sooty, close-cropped fur. The family unit remains closely knit until September.

Habits & Haunts: The home range of the red fox is about 5 or 6 miles. Dens are underground burrows that may be as long as 50 feet. During cold weather, the bushy tail is used as a blanket to cover the nose and feet.

Food: The diet varies throughout the year and may consist of small mammals, ground-nesting birds, turtles, snakes, insects and fruits.

Gray Fox

Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus borealis

Description: A mature gray fox reaches about 40 inches in length, 15 inches in height and weighs from 7-11 pounds. The overall color is a grizzled gray with a blackish streak running down the back and tail. The ears and sides of the neck and legs are reddish-brown. A blackish muzzle dominates the face. Compared to the red fox, the gray fox is smaller and has a shorter legs and muzzle.

Breeding: Babies are born April through June and are blind and lightly furred. Pups average 5 per litter.

Habits & Haunts: This is the only fox that climbs trees! Dens may be located in a hollow tree or a rock cleft. Burrows are rarely constructed.

Food: The varied diet of the gray fox includes rodents, eggs, grain, nuts and fruits and vegetables.

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