| Red foxes are similar to dogs, but smaller | | | | animals to the larger types. When food is |
| than their cousins the coyote and the wolf. | | | | abundant, a red fox will store extra food by |
| Male foxes weigh up to 15 pounds; females are | | | | putting it into a shallow hole and then |
| a bit smaller. Humans cannot identify a red | | | | covering it with dirt. The fox will not |
| fox by only its coat color as it varies | | | | forget the location of the food because it |
| greatly. Their coats can be red, silver, | | | | will often go back to make sure that the food |
| black, brown, or even mixed colors like brown | | | | is still there. Sometimes red foxes become |
| and black. Many of the different colored | | | | aggressive if another animal digs up their |
| foxes are sometimes born in the same litter, | | | | stored food.Hunting prey uses all the red |
| but they are still considered to be red | | | | foxes abilities and senses; they use speed to |
| foxes. The easiest way to tell a red fox | | | | catch the fastest prey while using their |
| apart from other fox species is by looking at | | | | ambush style of hunting. Once the red fox |
| its white-tipped tail. Another unique | | | | spots its prey, it will stand still and watch |
| feature a red fox has is its black stockings | | | | it to determine where it is going. After |
| and the occasional black-tipped ears.A red | | | | this point, the fox will approach its prey |
| fox's tail is thick; it is called a brush and | | | | slowly and then pounce. Pouncing happens |
| it is used to cover the fox's face during the | | | | when the fox jumps several feet into the air, |
| winter. Foxes are active animals; they are | | | | after standing still, then landing on the |
| great jumpers and fast sprinters with | | | | animal using its front feet. After it lands, |
| incredible agility in their movements. While | | | | it pins the animal down and goes for the |
| hunting, the red foxes' speed and their | | | | kill; this method of hunting is different |
| strong jaws and powerful bite strength enable | | | | from wolves and coyotes because they use |
| them to catch small animals. Their senses | | | | their speed to chase prey. Foxes act like |
| assist them as well, they can survey sound by | | | | felines while hunting; however, they truly |
| shifting their head. This helps them hear an | | | | are from the candid family.Red foxes breed |
| animal walking through snow, which gives them | | | | during the wintertime or at the start of |
| a chance to attack without being seen. Their | | | | spring and they give birth within two months |
| long whiskers are used to detect prey | | | | afterwards. Their young kits live in a den; |
| movement after it is captured.Red foxes live | | | | it is usually an old one used by other |
| in many areas in North America and Alaska, | | | | animals. Kits cannot see when they are born |
| while most arctic foxes' homes are south of | | | | and they weigh only a few ounces; litters |
| the tundra. These foxes can live in the same | | | | usually contain four or five kits. Both |
| environment, however the most dominant | | | | parents take care of the kits; the male does |
| species is the red fox; it hunts arctic foxes | | | | the hunting for the family and brings the |
| in these areas.Red foxes are omnivores and | | | | food to the den. Sometimes weaker kits |
| they will eat whatever food source is | | | | starve if they are not given enough food. |
| available to them. They eat many types of | | | | Kits stay in the den for a month and learn |
| small insects, vegetation, mammals and | | | | how to hunt prey a month after. During the |
| carrion. They prefer voles and other small | | | | fall, the family will go their separate ways. |