Red FoxVulpes vulpesDescriptionRed foxes are the largest of the foxes found at CedarCreek, but are smaller than coyotes or wolves. Redcoloration is the most common, but red foxes can alsobe grey, black, or white. Foxes have elongated bodies,short legs, and fluffy, white-tipped tails which are longenough to droop on the ground. Their tail can makes upnearly one-third of their total body length! They oftenhave black “boots” on their feet, which helps distinguishthem from other canids.

Size (on average)Head and body: 20-25 inch long, plus a 15 inch tailHeight: 15 inches tall at the shoulderWeight: Between 8 and 15 lb

Habitat PreferenceRed foxes live in a wide variety of habitats, includinganything from dense forests to open fields.

DietPrimarily carnivorous. A large part of their diet iscomprised of crickets, grasshoppers and other insects.They also hunt for birds and small mammals includingsquirrels and mice. However, like other canids red foxesare also opportunists that have been documented eatingberries, nuts, and seeds.

Common behaviors and things to lookfor in camera imagesThey look like they’re wearing black boots and haveblack tips on their ears. Their tails are incredibly longand bushy.

PhenologyRed foxes generally mate in February. About 7 weekslater, females give birth to 5-10 kits. The kits are fullyindependent by 7 months.

Home Range Size0.5 - 5 square miles, with lots of overlap in space (butnot time) between individuals.

Status at Cedar CreekFairly common. Tracks and sign, as well as photos, areseen across the property. They are most commonlyspotted in the north half of the property, in the coniferousforests, but it is not unusual to see them crossing openfields or moving through the deciduous forests. Theyeven regularly leave tracks in the parking lot of our mainbuilding area!

Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve is a University of Minnesota biologicalfield station. Photos are from the Cedar Creek field cameras.

FUN FACTS▪ Red foxes are members of the canid family,

which also includes wolves, coyotes, jackalsand dogs.

▪ Foxes have dens that can be up to 40 feetdeep. However, they are usually only 2-5 ftdeep.

▪ Fox will hide or bury uneaten food to savefor later.

▪ Foxes can run up to 30 mph.

▪ Foxes can leap up to 15 feet, which is longerthan a kangaroo.

▪ A fox uses its tail as cover in coldtemperatures and also as a signal flag tocommunicate with other foxes.

References: Eyes on the Wild Field Guidehttps://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/redfox.html,https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/r/red-fox/https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vulpes_vulpes/https://emammal.si.edu/north-carolinas-candid-critters/blog/confusing-canids-differentiating-red-foxes-grey-foxes-and

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C E D A R C R E E K

Eyes on the Wild