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Foxes are small-to-medium-sized omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull; upright, triangular ears; a pointed, slightly upturned snout; and a long, bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species belong to the monophyletic "true fox" group of genus Vulpes.
Learn about foxes, small to medium-sized dogs with long fur and pointed ears, from the red fox to the Arctic fox. Find out their distribution, diet, reproduction, and relationship with humans and other animals.
- Foxes are related to dogs. Foxes are members of the Canidae family, which means they’re related to wolves, jackals, and dogs. They’re medium-sized, weighing anywhere between two and 24 pounds, with pointy faces, lithe frames, and bushy tails.
- Foxes are solitary. Unlike their canid relatives, foxes are not pack animals. When raising their young, they live in small families—called a “leash of foxes” or a “skulk of foxes”—in underground burrows.
- Foxes have a lot in common with cats. Like a cat, the fox is most active after the sun goes down. It has vertically oriented pupils so it can see in dim light, and it hunts by stalking and pouncing on its prey.
- There are 12 true foxes—and many relatives. Although there are 37 animals called foxes, only 12 are considered “true foxes,” meaning they’re calssified in the genus Vulpes.
Learn about foxes, the omnivorous, dog-like mammals belonging to the family Canidae. Find out their physical description, distribution, behavior, reproduction, and conservation status.
- Mammalia
- Chordata
- Carnivora
May 19, 2024 · Learn about the red fox, a widespread and adaptable mammal that lives in diverse environments from Arctic tundra to urban areas. Find out about its physical characteristics, predators and prey, range, breeding, and human interactions.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The red fox ( Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia, plus parts of North Africa. It is listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. [1]
Feb 20, 2024 · Learn about different types of foxes, their characteristics, habitats, diets, and conservation status. See pictures and facts on true foxes, South American foxes, and other canids that are called foxes.
