Description
The red fox is a small dog-like mammal with pointed nose and ears, a slim body, large bushy tail, and a coat of long lustrous fur. Including its tail, the red fox can measure from 90 to 112 cm in length. Adult foxes weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. These mammals have excellent eyesight, a strong sense of smell, and finely tuned hearing, which help them greatly when hunting.
Habitat
The red fox can be found in all parts of Canada and throughout most of British Columbia. Red foxes are one of Canada’s most widespread mammals and prefer open environments combined with brushy shelter year round. The red fox normally dens in a burrow which the female digs herself or makes by expanding a marmot or badger hole. The den can be located in a hollow log, a brush pile, or in an unoccupied building.
Diet
Red foxes are omnivores, eating both plants and animals. They prefer to eat animals such as rodents, frogs, insects, birds, and snakes. The plants they eat include acorns, grasses, corn, fruits, and berries.
Fur Qualities
Even though the common name for this species is “red fox”, not all members are actually red in colour. There are a number of common colour variations. Various shades of red are the most common, but foxes can also have brown or black fur. Red foxes that are mostly black with white-tipped guard hairs are referred to as “silver foxes.” Silver fox pelts were highly valued during the fur trade.
Definitions
Mammal = mammals are animals that are warm-blooded, having hair and feed milk to their young.
Burrow = burrows are holes in the ground that are made by animals for shelter.
