# Red Fox: Key Facts

> The red fox is the largest and most widespread true fox, found across the Northern Hemisphere and adaptable to forests, mountains, farmland, and cities.

- **Species:** Red Fox (*Vulpes vulpes*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Omnivore
- **Habitat:** Forest, grassland, farmland, urban areas
- **Lifespan:** 3–5 years in the wild
- **Top speed:** Up to 50 km/h (31 mph)
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/red-fox/fox-vs-coyote/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/red-fox/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## 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.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Red Fox profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/red-fox/) instead.

## 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.

## Help protect the Red Fox

Even familiar animals lose ground as wild habitat keeps shrinking worldwide.

[Donate to wildlife protection](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/donate/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/red-fox/fox-vs-coyote/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.