Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Quick answer
The red fox is the largest and most widespread true fox, found across the Northern Hemisphere and adaptable to forests, mountains, farmland, and cities. It is an opportunistic omnivore famous for its intelligence and its distinctive pounce when hunting. Wild red foxes typically live 3 to 5 years.
Red Fox facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Vulpes vulpes |
|---|---|
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Forest, grassland, farmland, urban areas |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years in the wild |
| Weight | 3–7 kg (6.6–15 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Genus | Vulpes |
Where it lives
The most widespread wild carnivore on Earth, across the entire Northern Hemisphere.
Adaptability
The red fox is one of the most adaptable mammals on Earth, thriving everywhere from Arctic tundra to busy cities. Its success comes from a flexible diet, sharp senses, and a willingness to live close to people, making it a common sight even in urban areas.
Diet and the pounce
Red foxes are omnivores that eat rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, fruit, and scraps. They use a famous high-arcing pounce to catch prey hidden under grass or snow, and may even use the Earth's magnetic field to help judge the distance.
Behavior
Foxes are mostly solitary or live in small family groups. They communicate with a wide range of vocalizations, scent marks, and body language, and they cache surplus food by burying it for later, remembering the locations with impressive accuracy.
Conservation
The red fox is listed as Least Concern and is not threatened. Its range is actually expanding in many regions, and it has been introduced to areas such as Australia, where it can become a damaging invasive predator.
Frequently asked questions about the Red Fox
What do red foxes eat?
Red foxes are omnivores that eat rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, fruit, and human food scraps. Their flexible diet helps them survive in many different environments.
Where do red foxes live?
Red foxes are the most widespread wild carnivore, living across the Northern Hemisphere in forests, mountains, grasslands, farmland, and even cities.
How long do red foxes live?
Wild red foxes usually live just 3 to 5 years due to disease, predators, and traffic. In captivity, they can live up to 14 years.
Are red foxes dangerous to humans?
Red foxes are generally shy and pose little threat to people. They rarely approach humans and usually flee when encountered, though they may take small pets or poultry.
Why do foxes pounce when hunting?
Foxes use a high, arcing pounce to drop down on prey hidden beneath grass or snow. This 'mousing' technique lets them strike accurately even when they cannot see the animal.
Are red foxes related to dogs?
Yes. Red foxes belong to the dog family, Canidae, which also includes wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs, though foxes are not closely related enough to interbreed with them.
