Meet the Animal Park's Red Fox

NATIVE RANGE

Red foxes are native across much of the Northern Hemisphere, including most of North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa; people also introduced them to places including Australia and the Falkland Islands.

DIET

Red foxes are opportunistic omnivores whose diet commonly includes small mammals, birds, insects, fruit, and carrion. The balance of foods changes with the season and local availability.

BEHAVIOR

Red foxes are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular. They are territorial and usually forage alone, but may live in pairs or family groups while raising young.

FASCINATING FACTS

• Red foxes are often gray, and gray foxes are often red, so to distinguish between them, remember that red foxes have a white-tipped tail and gray foxes have a black-tipped tail.
• Their sensitive hearing helps them locate small prey that may be hidden in grass, soil, or snow. Once prey is located, the red fox often uses a high, arcing pounce to catch it.
• By preying on rodents and rabbits, red foxes can help keep populations of these small mammals under control.