Vulpes vulpes

Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae

Status: Valuable fur animal, abundant, unprotected predator.

Identifying Characteristics: Appearance of small dog.  Long, bushy tail, pointed ears, slender muzzle, slanted eyes.  White tip in the tail.  Rufous coloration, various coat colorations or color phases.  Total length: 39 to 43 inches.  Weight: 10 to 15 pounds.

Habitat: Can survive in a wide range of habitats.  Often associated with agricultural areas.  Prefers mixture of forest and open country near water.

Food Habits: Opportunistic predator that sometimes eats carrion.  Preys on small mammals, birds, eggs, game birds, ranch animals.

Life History: Mostly nocturnal.  Hunts by smell. Uses dens for shelter during severe weather and when pups are being reared.  Usually uses dens made by other animals.  Mates during winter; 51 to 53 day gestation; litter size averages 4 to 8.

Similar Species: There is no white tip on the tail of the coyote, swift fix, marten, or fisher.

Further Information