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| The only species of Fox found in the Algonquin Highlands is the Red Fox. It has unmistakable marking of a red-orange coat with black legs and feet. Although there are other colours found throughout the region they are still Red Foxes. Other colours that can be seen are a black and silver combination or grayish brown with black patches. The Red Fox is a member of the dog family. Red Fox weigh between 3-5 kg but most of that weight is in the bushy, white-tipped tail. The tail serves a purpose, as in the winter it helps to keep their legs and nose warm. Foxes are omnivores. Their diet ranges from berries and insects to small mammals, but they favour mice. With the Fox’s keen sense of hearing, mice can be detected under the snow and through deep grass. Foxes usually hunt in the evening and pin their find under their paws. Foxes are also scavengers and help to clean up the remains of other dead animals. In the winter their diet is mostly the remains of Wolf kills. Burrows are what Foxes use to birth their pups. Usually there are six pups per litter. A month after birth the pups will start to leave the borrow and are then weaned a short time later. The female will usually stay around the den while the male does the hunting. In fall it’s time for the young to leave and go out on their own. Foxes have extreme fluctuations in their populations, it is not understood why. They are very susceptible to rabies and there have been many serious outbreaks in recent years. Everyone should take great caution with what may be considered a “tame’ Fox. |
(Family Canidae)
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
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