Species Spotlight: Red Fox

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have characteristic red fur, black “stockings” on their legs, and bushy, white-tipped tails (although their coats have some color variation). Males are generally larger than females. Individuals normally range from 8-15 pounds as adults and vary in total length from 48-57 inches. The tail accounts for nearly half of that length!

Life History: Red foxes are omnivorous (eat both plants and animals). Their diet varies with the seasons and includes small mammals like mice, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as plants, insects, fish, frogs, birds and their eggs, carrion, and even fruit!

Red foxes breed in New York from December to April, with a peak between January and February. This species maintains lifelong breeding companions. Both parents participate in raising the young through the summer. They often use abandoned woodchuck dens or other small mammal burrows, widened to suit the needs of a family of foxes.

Where to Find Them: Red foxes are known to occur in nearly every county of New York State. They prefer lands with a mixture of old fields, forest edges, and farmlands. Mixed landscapes provide foraging opportunities and cover from would-be predators. Suburbs also provide ample habitat and prey. Red foxes can be fun to watch! Consider following these wildlife watching tips when viewing.

When to Watch: Red foxes do not hibernate and are active year-round. You could potentially see a red fox at any time of day: they can be nocturnal, crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), or sometimes seen during the day, especially to meet the feeding demands of growing pups! So, seeing a red fox during the day does not necessarily mean it is rabid. Check out Cornell’s Wildlife Health page for more information and signs to watch for in an infected animal.