Red Fox

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Red Fox - Rod Bird | Red Fox - Rod Bird

Vulpes vulpes


Body red or sandy coloured, black legs. White chin and throat. Tail thick and often white at the tip. Body up to 74 cm, tail up to 45 cm.


Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Biology

Mainly nocturnal. During the day sleeps in dens, logs or other forms of shelter. Can breed from 1 year of age. Litters, averaging 4 cubs, are born during August and September, and emerge from the den in late spring. The cubs leave the family territory in late summer or autumn.

Distinctive Markings

Red-brown fur, white chin and neck, black feet, thick tail.

Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Vulpes
Species
vulpes

Throughout Australia, including western Victoria.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Introduced to Australia in the 1860s. Now common and widespread over mainland Australia except the northernmost parts. Responsible for local extinctions of many small-medium sized mammals.


Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore and scavenger. Hunts rabbits and native animals, and also feeds on insects and fruits when other food is scarce. Preys on newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry.

Habitat

Most areas, including urban and agricultural areas.

Native Status
Introduced
Audio
Audio samples
Sounds
High pitched bark and scream, particularly during the breeding season.