Outside the window, the weather was not the best. The rain was drizzling slowly, as if stretching pleasure for itself, spoiling the mood of people. Along with the rain, snow-white snowflakes also swirled, creating a white wall, thereby slowing down the endless running of cars. Even in spite of such inclement weather, caring parents with their children walked on the streets. Someone drew with a long stick, on a wet snow cover, inscriptions and hearts, someone rolled their newborn children in strollers. Frankly, this picture is very cute, but not for Fox, he sighed on the bed, looking at the ceiling and dreaming about something completely different ... his light gray hair, with a tint of silver, was spread out on the pillow, some long strands lying on sharp the boy's shoulders, were already dark from shed tears, gray-green eyes of the color of dusty needles, then opened wide, then, on the contrary, covered themselves, one might even say, screwed up their eyes. Eyes wet from shed tears have already turned red and slightly swollen, making the boy's beautiful face burst into tears. The doorbell rings and the whole picture disappears. Fox tries to put on colorful shorts and a T-shirt as soon as possible, already on the run he wipes his cherry eyes, not forgetting to correct his bangs that cover his eyes. Again the doorbell rang, already more persistent than the last time, hitting his foot on the jamb and swearing softly, the boy flew to the door. Hastily opening the door, he recoiled slightly, not expecting to see someone he did not want to see especially now. A fluffy ash tail, crowned with a white tassel, trembled finely, a quiet growl was born in the throat, one might even say a hiss. - Haven't seen each other for a long time, Fox. - The yellow-eyed guy purred, narrowing his eyes predatory, almost a head taller than poor Fox. The guest was really tall, a kind of turret. The hair of this creature was shoulder-bladed, and the color was similar to the wet asphalt, which we often see after heavy rain. Eyes, vaguely resembling those of a cat, were especially attractive, honey-yellow shine, did not bode well, like a predator waiting for his silly prey to come closer, but he always had such a look, regardless of the situation, so what to do, such a cut of the eyes ... - Hmm, and what do you want, Cle-e-e-n? - With some disgust, drawing out the syllables, the fair-haired boy mumbled something, wrapping his arms around himself. Nevertheless, he was not like that, not to expel, even an unwanted guest, the Fox stepped aside, letting the guest into the apartment, and he himself urgently went to the bathroom to put himself in order and finally calm down, this will help not only to him, but also to the interlocutor in communication. Indeed, I didn't want to sob in front of the eyes of a loved one, even though all the tears were because of him. - You also remained a cute Fox. - Already pacifying his ardor, said Maple, despite the fact that this subject was called differently, but they were so conditioned with the Fox, which is also called differently. - You scare me ... You, too, remained the same grumpy ball. - Smiling, the Fox purred, sitting down next to the guest. Although the atmosphere seemed so peaceful, all the same, through this "shell" of lies and smiles, one felt how it was heated to pain. They wanted to talk, they had wanted for a long time, but all attempts ended in a disagreement and loud yells with assault, so then they did not communicate for a month, or even more. - Forgive me, I shouldn't have done that ... forgive me my little ... - the guy's voice trembled and he already wanted to get up and leave, not seeing his wonderful Fox in his eyes, nothing at all, but he was stopped and firmly hugged him as soon as possible. - I will forgive you, but only if I am the only light for you, and you don’t leave me to the mercy of fate ... I simply cannot survive it ... , the one because of whom shed tears at night, but continued to be faithful only to him. - I will not let you go anywhere ... I love you more than anyone in the world ... Wo Ai Ni ... - Gently whispered in the ear of his baby, Maple. - Wo Ai Ni ... - quietly answering in response, the Fox remained in the arms of his beloved miracle. How long they have stood there, hardly anyone will answer such a question for you, but they, embracing, afraid to say a word, stood and simply enjoyed each other's company without unnecessary words that would be inappropriate here.
Photo © Alan Harper on iNaturalist.org. www.alanharper.com. California, USA. CC BY-NC 4.0
Habitat: from southeastern Canada to Venezuela and Colombia, with the exception of parts of the Great Plain and mountainous regions (Rocky Mountains) of the northwestern United States and the eastern coast of Central America (watersheds of Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama). Over the past 50 years, the common range of the gray fox has expanded to new areas and areas where the gray fox was previously exterminated, including New England, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Ontario, Manitoba, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Utah.
Gray foxes resemble small, slender dogs with bushy tails. The body is elongated, the legs are relatively short.
In adult gray foxes, the fur consists of a mixture of white, red, black and gray. Their tail is about one third of their total body length and has a clear black stripe along the dorsal surface and a black tip. The upper part of the head, back, sides and the rest of the tail are gray. The belly, chest, legs and sides of the head are reddish brown. The cheeks and throat are white. The area around the eyes has a thin black stripe from the outer corner of the eye towards the head. In addition, a wide black stripe runs from the inner corner of the eye, down the muzzle to the mouth. Newborn puppies are dark brown.
The pupils of the eyes are oval, than gray foxes differ from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), in which the pupils are slit.
There is no sexual dimorphism, but males are slightly larger than females. Males have longer pelvic regions and heel bones, as well as wider shoulder blades and more powerful leg bones.
Length 80-112.5 cm, tail length 27.5-44.3 cm, height at withers 10-15 cm.Weight 3.6-6.8 kg, maximum up to 9 kg.
Gray foxes prefer to live in deciduous forests alternating with dense woodlands. Many populations thrive where forests alternate with agricultural land, but unlike the red fox, they do not live in purely agricultural areas. Proximity to water is a key feature of the preferred habitat. In areas where gray foxes and red foxes are found, the former prefer mixed forests with dense undergrowth. In the absence of red foxes, other habitats are preferred.
Most often they live at altitudes up to 1000-3000 m above sea level.
In eastern North America, the gray fox is most closely associated with deciduous or southern pine forests, interspersed with some old fields and clear forests. In western North America, it is commonly found in mixed agricultural, forest, chaparral, coastal, and bushy environments. This species occupies forested and abundant prey habitats in Central America and wooded mountainous areas in South America. Also, gray foxes are found in semi-arid areas in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where there are enough hiding places. Apparently they do well to live in some urban areas.
The territoriality of gray foxes is poorly understood. Areas are marked with urine and faeces, but in many areas there is significant overlap. Family parcels are formed so that the individual areas of the couple overlap. The family plots themselves usually do not overlap. The fox probably reaches peak densities every 10 years, with an average density of about one colony for every 10 km².
However, the total size of the personal and family plots of the gray fox has not been determined. Foxes tracked from May to August 1980 and January to August 1981 had an average monthly home plot of 299 hectares and an average family plot of 676 hectares. The complexity of the definition lies in the fact that some individuals, although they occupy the same area for a long time, their personal areas, as a rule, change from month to month. Only part of the home range is used this night. Composite home plots of 4 gray foxes in another study ranged from 106 to 172 ha.
Gray foxes are more active at night and at dusk, resting during the day in dense vegetation or secluded rocky areas. The level of activity drops sharply at sunrise and increases at sunset. Typically, gray foxes leave the recreation area in the daytime shortly before sunset, explore the nearby territory and then move to the hunting area. They usually return to the daytime resting area shortly before sunrise. At the same time, gray foxes are often active in the daytime.
Gray foxes usually change their resting places every day, starting in late spring, when new vegetation is growing. Shelters are reused in winter.
The gray fox is the only member of the family that can climb trees, especially in order to avoid danger. However, these foxes often climb trees to rest, sometimes quite high. One gray fox was observed resting 4.6 m above the ground on a branch of a giant saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea).
Gray foxes oh opportunisticallyomnivorous. Although they prey on small vertebrates and birds, fruits and invertebrates also make up a significant part of their diet, usually the proportions depend on the season. So, rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), mouse-like (Peromyscus spp., Neotoma spp., Sigmodon hispidus, etc.) make up most of their winter diet. Since spring, invertebrates, fruits, nuts and grains are included in the diet. Preferred insects are Orthoptera and beetles. Depending on the region, the fox is often mainly dependent on rabbits and other small mammals in the winter, insects and fruits in the summer. In some areas, the general diet may consist of predominantly plant-based foods.
If the prey is large, foxes hide the remains, often burying it. After that, they usually mark the cache with urine or use the scent of glands on their paws and tail. If possible, gray foxes can also feed on carrion.
Like other family members, gray foxes communicate by barking and growling. Young foxes usually play with each other. Males, in an attempt to attract potential mates for breeding, raise their hind leg to show their genitals. Adult animals use their smells to mark territory.
Lairs, as a rule, are arranged in hollow trees (the highest discovered den was in a hollow at a height of 9.1 m) or logs, in small caves, cracks between rocks, abandoned buildings, tangled bushes, less often in the burrows of other mammals left behind. Occasionally, gray foxes themselves dig holes in loose soil.
Considered monogamous, but direct evidence is lacking. There are reports of rare cases of polygamy and polyandry.
During the rearing of offspring, there are family groups consisting of a male, female and young. Pairs form in the fall, prior to breeding in winter. During October and September, when females attract partners, males usually show great aggression. Like domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), gray foxes have a violet gland. Foxes also have additional scent glands on their faces and pads. While these glands are primarily used to demarcate territory, they can also be used to attract potential partners.
Reproduction takes place annually. The breeding season varies with geographic region, altitude and habitat quality and starts from late winter to early spring (December to March). Where the gray fox is sympathetic to the red fox, it starts breeding 2-4 weeks later than the red fox.
Pregnancy from 53 to 63 days. The maximum births usually occur in April. Litter from 1 to 7 puppies, average 3.8. However, litter size is not well understood. Puppies are born blind and almost naked. Average birth weight 86-95 g. Eyes open 9 days after birth. Milk feeding lasts up to 6 weeks, but weaning begins from 2-3 weeks, then only complementary feeding continues. Solid food begins at around 3 weeks of age, mostly delivered by the father. Parents start teaching puppies to hunt at about 4 months old. Until then, both parents hunt separately, and the puppies practice their hunting skills by lashing out and chasing the half-dead prey brought. First of all, their father teaches them to hunt. Puppies depend on their parents for up to 10 months, after which they become sexually mature and dispersed. According to other sources, families break up in late summer and autumn.
At about 10 months young, both males and females become sexually mature. Most females give birth in the first year of life.
Life expectancy both in captivity and in the wild ranges from 6 to 8 years. However, the oldest recorded wild gray fox was 10 years old and the oldest in captivity was 12 years old.
The main enemies of gray foxes in nature are red lynxes (Lynx rufus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), eagle owls (Bubo virginianus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). Unlike red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which run away from predators using speed and maneuverability, gray foxes hide in shelters (for example, in thickets). From land-based predators, gray foxes can use their ability to climb trees.
Aside from natural deaths, humans are responsible for the greatest number of deaths and are therefore the greatest threat.
The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), or tree fox, is a very unusual mammal because it looks more like a small dog with a fluffy tail. They live in Canada, in the central and southwestern states of America, Venezuela, and are found in California and Mexico. They got their name for the gray-silver saddlecloth on the back and sides. Although the lower part on the sides, neck, base of the tail, back, paws, as well as the lower part of the tail are the same bright rusty red color as that of the common red fox. They are also distinguished by a black stripe that runs along the top of the croup and along the entire fluffy tail. The strip ends with a black tip on the tail. The animal's muzzle is silvery-gray, with a white rim around the black nose. This fur color camouflages well from predators.
The gray fox is also unusual in that it is the only species in the wolf family that can climb trees. There she hides from enemies and sits in ambush, tracking down prey. And to climb a tree, she has to climb up the trunk, pushing off with long hooked claws on her hind legs. No worse than a squirrel, the animal can move along the crown of trees, jumping from branch to branch or sliding down in the opposite direction.
This mammal cannot be called a particularly fast runner, but at short distances it can also develop good speed. The short, very powerful and developed paws give the animal a huge advantage when it climbs trees or rocks, and the strong, hooked claws allow it to cling to trunks and branches.
Gray foxes are nocturnal animals, and hide in their dens during the day, the boundaries of the territory are marked with urine. Females reach sexual maturity a year and mate from February to March. The pairs are constant and the father of the cubs stays with the female until they are born, but then he is expelled from the den.
Usually, from 3 to 5 cubs are born after 50-55 days of gestation, but there are also large litters up to 11 cubs. Babies are dark brown and blind from birth, but already on the 10th day they open their eyes. The mother stops caring for the cubs after 10 weeks. All this time, the father regularly supplies the family with food. By winter, the couples disperse, and the cubs are already completely independent, everyone must survive the most severe time alone. The average lifespan of this species is up to 6 years in the wild and about 12 years in captivity.
The gray fox is a solitary hunter, but its diet is very diverse: berries, nuts, birds, insects, and all types of rodents, in addition, the ability to climb trees allows you to find food that is not available to an ordinary red relative. If she manages to get more food than she can eat at a time, then she will definitely hide it and return later. And to find a burial site, he will mark it with urine. In arid regions, animals eat more insects, arthropods, and plant foods than foxes living in the east.
The gray fox has several predators besides humans. Hawks, eagles, owls, lynxes, dogs and even
Name: gray fox, wood fox.
Latin generic name Urocyonis, based on Greek words oura(tail) and kyon(dog). Species name cinereoargenteusis derived from the Greek word cinereus(ashy) and argenteus(silver), indicating the dominant color of the fox.
Area: The gray fox is found in most of North America, from southern Canada to the Isthmus of Panama, also in northern South America (Venezuela and Colombia). No gray fox has been found in the Rocky Mountains in the far northwestern United States. The gray fox disappeared from Canada in the late 17th century, but has recently been found in southern Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec. In a number of places, it disappeared after the acclimatization of the brown fox from Europe there. Some researchers argue that the causal relationship between these events is questionable. In their view, the decline in the gray fox, and the spread of the brown fox, were the result of changes in the nature of human land use.
Description: The gray fox is smaller than the brown fox and looks like a small dog with a fluffy tail. She has short, powerful legs and strong hooked claws that allow her to easily climb tree trunks and branches. Compared to other canines, the gray fox has a rather variegated color, and its coat is rather short and coarse. The tail is triangular in cross section, not rounded. Skull length: from 9.5 to 12.8 cm.Number of teeth - 42.
Color: The back, sides and top of the long, bushy tail are gray or dark gray with silvery dots. The muzzle is also gray. The lower part of the neck, chest, abdomen, as well as the front and inner sides of the legs are distinguished by a whitish-gray color. The tip of the tail is black. Faintly noticeable black stripes appear on the back (sometimes they are clearly visible). The crown, lateral part of the neck, the edges of the abdomen and the outer sides of the legs are painted in reddish-gray tones, and sometimes have a bright reddish-orange color. Because of this coloration, the gray fox is sometimes mistakenly identified as a brown fox, which can always be distinguished by its black legs and white tip of the tail. Fox cubs are almost black.
The size: Body length - 48-69 cm; heads - 9.5-12.8 cm; length - 25-40 cm; the height at the withers is about 30 cm.
The weight: ranges from 2.5 to 7 kg, but most often is 3.5-6 kg. Females are always somewhat lighter than males.
Life span: in nature up to 6 years, the maximum life expectancy in captivity is 15 years.
Habitat: Most often, the gray fox can be found in bushes, on forest edges, in mountain copses. In general, it prefers woodland, although it is found in cultivated fields and in the vicinity of cities. Of the tree plantations, pine is the most preferred. The gray fox prefers pine groves to deciduous trees everywhere within its range, it is here that it mainly locates its den. At the same time, for hunting and feeding, she often chooses deciduous trees and shrubs, in which small mammals are more numerous.
Like other canines, gray foxes communicate with each other and with the help of sounds. These vocalizations include aggressive barking, resonant howls, soft whimpers, and specific screams. Among the sounds made by the gray fox at the sight of a person, sharp barking is most characteristic.
Food: The gray fox is omnivorous, and its diet is very diverse and depends on the season and habitat and includes: small vertebrates, especially rabbits, rodents, birds and their eggs, insects. Sometimes she has to eat only plant foods (fruits, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.), and the fox does not refuse from carrion. Thanks to its ability to climb trees, pure woody creatures such as squirrels can also be found in its diet - in some places playing an important role in the diet of the gray fox, which is not the case with other wild canines.
Behavior: Gray foxes love to climb trees, which is why they are often called "tree foxes". At the first danger, they often climb low or semi-felled, tilted trees. This ability likely allowed the gray fox to co-exist with coyotes, while the brown fox population declined significantly with the increase in the coyote population.
How do gray foxes climb trees? Slightly grasping the trunk of the tree with its front paws, it pushes its body upward with its hind legs, which, thanks to their long and strong claws, firmly hold it on the trunk. In addition, the fox is able to jump onto branching branches of a tree, using this ability to attack prey from above from an ambush. On the ground, when chasing prey or hiding from the enemy, the gray fox can reach speeds of up to 17 km / h, but only at relatively short distances.
It hunts mainly at night and twilight, and all day lies in a secluded place, sleeps and rests. Animals are usually tied to the same place, so the way of life is sedentary, they have never been met migrating. Burrows rarely dig on their own, but more often they are occupied by strangers, sometimes hollows of trees are chosen as their own home, they can settle in crevices of rocks, voids under stones and trunks, even in abandoned buildings. In eastern Texas, a hollow was found used by a fox to rest at a height of about 10 m above the ground in a large hollow oak tree. In central Texas, a den was found in a hollow living oak tree with an entrance 1m above the ground. An unusual den was found under a pile of wood, into which the fox "made a tunnel."
Gray foxes need clean water to drink, so they regularly visit the reservoir. In this regard, they locate their dens near the source of drinking water, where, over time, a well-visible trail is trampled.
Social structure: They live in pairs, occupying a certain family territory. In the summer, while the cubs are growing up, gray foxes roam in family flocks, which disintegrate by the fall. The area of the family plot varies from 3 to 27.6 km 2 and in different family groups they usually partially overlap. Outside the breeding period, the individual areas of males practically do not overlap, while the areas of males and females may overlap by 25-30%. The size of such an overlap depends on both the feeding capacity of the plots and the season of the year. Being rather silent territories, gray foxes mark their territorial boundaries with the help of piles of droppings and urine, which is left on the most noticeable landmarks such as tufts of grass and protruding structures: earth bumps, stumps, individual stones, etc. These scent marks are regularly updated, especially in places frequented by animals. The specific smell is provided by a secret produced by a pair of violet glands located on both sides of the anal passage. Both males and females, when marking territory with urine, seem to raise their legs. A pungent smell, very similar to that given off by skunks, is easily detected even by humans in places where gray foxes have often marked "boundary pillars".
Reproduction: During the breeding season, there are numerous fierce fights between males, after which the winner male stays with the female and forms a pair. After the offspring appear, the males take an active part in the extraction of food for the puppies and the protection of the borders of the family plot from the penetration of other foxes here.
Season / period of breeding: Rutting and mating times vary with latitude and are observed from December to April.
Puberty: males mature at 10 months; females give birth at one year of age.
Pregnancy: lasts 51-63 days, average 53 days.
Offspring: In a den, carefully lined with dry grass, foliage or crushed tree bark, 2 to 7 (average 3.8) black-brown, blind and helpless puppies are born. In puppies weighing about 100 g, eyes are closed, they open only for 10-14 days. Lactation lasts 7-9 weeks, and they begin to consume solid food from 5-6 weeks. If possible, as soon as the puppies have grown up a little, the foxes try to change the old den for a new one due to the mass breeding of fleas in them, which greatly annoy both adults and puppies.
At the age of four months, the cubs begin to accompany the adults on the hunt.
Foxes are weaned from the breast at the age of 6 weeks. At the age of three months, the foxes begin to hunt with their parents.
Benefit / harm to humans: The fur of the gray fox is of rather low quality, so it is not of particular interest as an object of industrial hunting, but only as a sport one. In the state of Texas, the gray fox is among the most important fur animals. It is abundant in desert areas, where it often helps farmers in the fight against harmful rodents. When the gray fox itself becomes a pest, eating chickens and destroying crops, farmers shoot them or catch them with all kinds of traps.
Population / conservation status: Widespread species, no threat of extinction.
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The fox is the generalized name for several mammalian species of the vast canid family (Canidae). Twelve species of this group belong to the genus of foxes proper (true foxes), but some other species are also called foxes. Inhabiting various continents, all 23 species of foxes presented below have a characteristic appearance and a similar lifestyle, but at the same time, each species has its own characteristics.
The fox is a predator with a sharp muzzle, a narrow and somewhat flattened head, rather large ears and a long fluffy tail. From early childhood, we all know the red-haired thieving cheat - the heroine of many fairy tales and fables, who always manages to bypass her relative, the wolf. Obviously, the cunning of the fox in the tales of many cultures reflects the plasticity of the species and its wide distribution. Indeed, foxes are very unpretentious to the environment, they are able to adapt well and were able to settle quite comfortably on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.
There are 3 separate branches of "fox-like" canines. The closest of them to common ancestors are 2 species of gray foxes (Urucyon). The age of this genus is 4-6 million years. And although phenotypically they are similar to foxes of the genus Vulpes, they are not genetically related to them. The big-eared fox (Otocyon) is also an ancient species of canines, which is genetically and morphologically separated from all other foxes (the age of the genus is 3 million years). These species make up the first branch.
The second branch is the species of the genus Vulpes (common foxes). This branch is subdivided into 2 parts - the common fox type and the fenech type. The fennec fox and the Afghan fox are the result of an ancient divergence (4.5 million years). The common fox group includes the American corsac and arctic fox, the American fox, and many of the Old World species. They dispersed only recently (0.5 million years) and form a separate subgroup within the common fox type.
The third branch is made up of all South American species. This branch is closer to the genus Caris (Wolves) than to other foxes. The fox and Maikong are the ancestral forms of this group (3 million years old); most of the other Dusicyon species arose relatively recently (1.0-2.5 million years ago).
Species of foxes of the genus Vulpes
The genus of foxes Vulpes is the most extensive and widespread among canines, numbering 12 species of foxes. Representatives of this genus can be found in the far north, and in South America, and in Europe, and in Africa, and in Asia.
The characteristic features of foxes of the genus Vulpes are a pointed muzzle, triangular erect ears, a long and fluffy tail, and a flat skull in comparison with the genus Canis. The color of the tip of the tail is usually different from the main color. There are black triangular markings on the muzzle between the eyes and nose.
Common fox Vulpes vulpes
Currently, there are about 48 subspecies, which are distributed from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of Asia and North Africa and Central America. They have also been introduced to Australia. It is such a common species that it is most likely the most malleable of all carnivores.
The body length is on average 75 cm, the tail is 40-69 cm, the weight can reach 10 kg. The coat is rusty to fiery red on the top, and white to black on the bottom. The tip of the tail is often white. There are silvery and other color varieties.
Bengal (Indian) fox Vulpes bengalensis
Breeds in India, Pakistan, Nepal. It prefers to live in steppes, woodlands, thorny bushes and semi-deserts up to 1350 m above sea level.
Body length - 45-60 cm, tail - 25-35 cm, weight - 1.8-3.2 kg. The color of the short smoothed coat is sandy-red, the legs are reddish-brown, the tip of the tail is black.
Vulpes chama
Distributed in Africa south of Zimbabwe and Angola. You can meet her in the steppes and stony deserts.
Body length - 45-60 cm, tail - 30-40 cm, weight - 3.5-4.5 kg.The color is reddish brown agouti with a silvery gray back, the tip of the tail is black, there is no dark face mask.
Korsak Vulpes corsac
It is found in the steppe zone of the southeastern part of Russia, in Central Asia, Mongolia, in Transbaikalia to the north of Manchuria and northern Afghanistan.
Outwardly, the corsac is similar to an ordinary fox, but much smaller. Body length 50-60 cm, tail 22-35 cm, weight 2.5-4 kg. The color of the coat is brownish-gray, the chin is white or slightly yellowish. The characteristic feature of the corsac is its wide, prominent cheekbones.
Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata
Inhabits the steppe areas of the highlands (4500-4800 m above sea level) in Tibet and Nepal.
Body length - 60-67 cm, tail - 28-32 cm, weight - 4-5.5 kg. The torso and ears are colored light gray agouti, the tip of the tail is white. The long and narrow head seems to be square due to the thick and dense collar. Canines are elongated.
African fox Vulpes pallida
It inhabits North Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, from Senegal to Sudan and Somalia. Lives in deserts.
Body length - 40-45 cm, tail - 27-30 cm, weight - 2.5-2.7 kg. The coat is short and thin. The body and ears are yellowish-brown, the paws are red, the tip of the tail is black. There are no marks on the face.
Sand fox Vulpes rueppellii
It is found from Morocco to Afghanistan, in the north of Cameroon, in northeastern Nigeria, Chad, Congo, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan. Inhabits deserts.
Body length - 40-52 cm, tail - 25-35 cm, weight - 1.7-2 kg. The coat is pale sandy in color, the tip of the tail is white, there are black spots on the muzzle. It has large ears that help regulate body temperature, and the fur on the pads makes it easier to walk on the hot sand.
American corsac Vulpes velox
Found from Texas to South Dakota. From 1900 to 1970 this species was found in the north of the Great Plains, in Canada, but, apparently, the American corsac was completely exterminated: in 1928 the fox disappeared from the province of Saskatchewan, and in 1938 from the province of Alberta. However, it has now been successfully reintroduced into the Canadian Prairie.
Body length - 37-53 cm, tail - 22-35 cm, weight - 2-3 kg. The coat is pale gray in winter, red in summer; the tip of the tail is black, there are black spots on the sides of the muzzle.
Fox Vulpes macrotis
Breeds in northwestern Mexico and southwestern USA. Inhabits prairies and arid steppes.
Body length - 38-50 cm, tail - 22-30 cm, weight - 1.8-3 kg. The coat has a yellow-red color, the limbs are reddish-brown. The tail is very fluffy with a black tip.
Vulpes cana
Breeds in Afghanistan, northeastern Iran, Baluchistan; an isolated population is known in Israel. You can meet her in mountainous regions.
Body length - 42-48 cm, tail - 30-35 cm, weight - 1.5-3 kg. The color is most often uniform dark, in winter - brownish-gray. The bare paw pads are adapted for life in steep slopes.
Fenech Vulpes zerda
It is sometimes distinguished into the genus Fennecus due to its large ears, rounded skull and small teeth. Lives in North Africa, across the Sahara to the east to Sinai and Arabia. Lives in sandy deserts.
Body length - 24-41 cm, tail - 18-31 cm, weight - 0.9-1.5 kg. - the smallest of all foxes. The color of the coat is cream, the tip of the tail is black. The paw pads are pubescent. A remarkable feature of Fenech is that huge ears, which make up 20% of the body surface, help the animal to cool down in the heat of the day (at high air temperatures, the vessels in the ears expand, increasing heat transfer). However, at temperatures below 20 ° C, the fenech begins to shiver from the cold.
Arctic fox(polar fox) Vulpes (Alopex) lagopus
Modern scientific classification sometimes classifies a single genus of arctic foxes as a genus of foxes. Arctic fox inhabits the circumpolar zone; tundra and littoral areas of the sea coast.
Body length - 53-55 cm, tail - 30-32 cm, weight - 3.1-3.8 kg. There are two types of color: "white", which in summer looks like a gray-brown, and "blue" - in summer it is chocolate brown. The fur is very dense, at least 70% is a warm undercoat. have an amazing resistance to cold.
Genus Urocyon (Gray foxes)
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus
It is found from the center of the United States to the prairies, from the south to Venezuela, from the north to Ontario.
Body length - 52-69 cm, tail - 27-45 cm, weight - 2.5-7 kg. The color is gray, streaked, the throat is white, the paws are reddish-brown. A ridge of hard black hairs runs along the dorsal surface of the tail.
Island fox Urocyon littoralis
Distributed on the Channel Islands near California.
It is the smallest species of foxes found in the United States. Body length - 48-50 cm, tail 12-29 cm, weight - 1.2-2.7 kg. Outwardly similar to a gray fox, but inferior to her in size. The island fox is mostly insectivorous.
Genus Otocyon (Big-eared foxes)
Big-eared fox Otocyon megalotis
Two populations are known: one is found from southern Zambia to South Africa, the other from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Prefers open spaces.
Body length - 46-58 cm, tail - 24-34 cm, weight - 3-4.5 kg. The color ranges from gray to dark yellow, with black markings on the muzzle, the tips of the ears and on the legs, and on the back there is a "belt". The ears are large (up to 12 cm). The big-eared fox differs from other species by the unusual structure of its teeth: its teeth are weak, but together with additional molars, their total number is 46-50. The diet of this species is also very unusual: the diet is 80% insects, mainly dung beetles and termites.
Genus Dusicyon (South American foxes)
The range of foxes of the genus Dusicyon is limited to South America. The color is usually gray with reddish brown patches. The skull is long and narrow; ears are large, tail is fluffy.
Andean foxDusicyon (Pseudalopex) culpaeus
It lives in the Andes, from Ecuador and Peru to the island of Tierra del Fuego. Found in the mountains and pampas.
Depending on the subspecies, the body length varies from 60 to 115 cm, the tail length is 30-45 cm, and the weight is 4.5-11 kg. The back and shoulders are gray; the head, neck, ears and paws are reddish-brown; the tip of the tail is black.
South American fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) griseus
Lives in the Andes, mainly concentrated in Argentina and Chile. Lives at lower altitudes than the Andean fox.
Body length - 42-68 cm, tail - 31-36 cm, weight - 4.4 kg. The color is variegated light gray; the lower parts of the body are lighter.
Paraguay fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) gymnocercus
Breeds in the pampas of Paraguay, Chile, southeastern Brazil, from southern through eastern Argentina to Rio Negro.
Body length - 62-65 cm, tail - 34-36 cm, weight - 4.8-6.5 kg.
Sekuran fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) sechurae
It lives in the coastal deserts of northern Peru and southern Ecuador.
Body length - 53-59 cm, tail - about 25 cm, weight - 4.5-4.7 kg. The coat is light gray, the tip of the tail is black.
Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) vetulus
Inhabits southern and central Brazil.
Body length about 60 cm, tail - about 30 cm, weight 2.7-4 kg. The muzzle is short, the teeth are small. The coat of the upper body is gray, the belly is white. There is a dark line on the dorsal surface of the tail.
Darwin's fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) fulvipes
Found on Chiloe Island and Nauelbuta National Park, Chile.
Body length about 60 cm, tail - 26 cm, weight about 2 kg. The coat of the upper part of the body is dark gray, the neck and belly are creamy. The species is endangered.
During a voyage by ship in 1831, Charles Darwin acquired a copy of the gray fox, which later received his name. In his journal, he recorded that on the island of Chiloe, "a fox belonging to a genus, which seems to be unique to this island and very rare on it, and has not yet been described as a species, was caught." Although Darwin guessed about the uniqueness of this fox, which was confirmed recently, the status of this animal remained unclear for a long time. It has a dark brown, almost rusty head color and relatively short legs.
Dusicyon (Cerdocyon) thous
Distributed from Colombia and Venezuela to the north of Argentina and Paraguay. Inhabits savannas and forests.
Body length - 60-70 cm, tail - 28-30 cm, weight -5-8 kg.
The coat is gray-brown, the ears are dark; tail with dark dorsal strap and white tip; paw pads are large; the muzzle is short.
(small fox or short-eared zorro) Dusicyon (Atelocynus) Microtis
It lives in the tropical forests of the Orinoco and Amazon river basins. Found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil.
Body length 72-100 cm, tail 25-35 cm, weight up to 9 kg. The color is dark, the ears are short and round. The teeth are long and strong. Feline gait.
Literature: Mammals: A Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia / Translated from English / Book. I. Predatory, marine mammals, primates, tupai, woolly wings. / Ed. D. MacDonald. - M: "Omega", - 2007.
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