Red Fox

Very wide ranging- almost all the Northern Hemisphere plus Australia, the red fox has the widest distribution of any Canid on the planet. Though there is some debate on the topic, it is believed that captive red fox may have been introduced to the US by England during early settlement, either establishing the population here, or increasing its numbers after breeding with a relatively uncommon native subspecies. The motivation was sport hunting – the native Gray Fox tended to either climb trees or escape in dens rather than run for miles when pursued with dogs in the classic fox hunting tradition.

A smaller Canid with an average weight of 3-7 kg (7-15 lbs.), red foxes may range in color from the typical red to almost all white or black. Many color variations exist in the wild as well as captivity on fur farms. Foxes have vertical slit pupils similar to a cat, unlike other Canids who have round pupils like our own.

Red Foxes are generally solitary hunters. Hunting habits tend to be nocturnal or crepuscular. Diet is varied and are generally considered omnivores. Typical foods include rodents, rabbits, insects and fruit. Red foxes are very sensitive to low frequency sounds and will listen and dig to capture its prey. Sight and smell are also excellent, making for an adaptable and intelligent predator with a reputation for cunning and intelligence. Foxes breed similar to other canids typically in the late winter and give birth in the spring. Average litter size is five kits. Though larger than the native Gray Fox, Grays tend to exclude Red fox from an area if both are present. Red foxes are common throughout Minnesota, but tend to be found in open farmland areas.

The Wildlife Science Center is currently home to four red fox. Fritz and Darin are typically colored Red Foxes and came to us from the Clinch Park Zoo in Traverse City, Michigan after its closure. Snowflake is a nearly all white fox and came to us from a private individual who gave her up at an early age. Jack is a silver phase fox and was brought to the WSC as a tiny kit after being purchased by a private party as a pet. All four are housed together in a pen generously donated by the Clinch Park Zoo at our Sunrise River Campus and are currently not on public display.