Red Fox

The Red Fox is the most common fox in the world. With the widest range of any terrestrial carnivore, it is native to Canada, Alaska, United States, Europe, North Africa and almost all of Asia. Due to their large range they are able to adapt and live in almost all weather conditions. In Jackson Hole, WY, foxes live in extremely cold weather conditions, while foxes in Arizona endure some of the hottest conditions in the U.S. They have figured out that in cold weather they need a den to stay warm and in hot weather they come out at dawn and dusk. Foxes are also very good at adapting to different diets. Here in Jackson Hole, foxes have a diet consisting of mainly small vermin. Foxes are also scavengers and will eat all sorts of road kill and other dead prey. Because foxes are so resourceful, they have very few survival needs. They only need a small water source, and an area with high biodiversity. Foxes have few predators, since they can run faster than most animals. Wolves can pose a threat because they are one of the only carnivores that can outrun foxes.

Foxes have very distinct features on their bodies. They have long pointy muzzles, tall ears, long thin bodies and skinny legs. Although foxes choose a partner at a young age and mate for life, the male (dog) and female (vixen) will only live together for a short portion of the year. The male lives with the female when she is pregnant and in need of assistance with her litter.

Foxes don't live in packs like wolves or coyotes, but instead they live with their partner and young until the young are old enough to live on their own. Then the family will split apart until the next litter. Foxes change the biodiversity of an area in distinct ways. When there are no foxes in an area there are commonly more moles, rats, gophers and other small vermin. This is one reason that a low fox population can be bad for a habitat; the population of vermin would become too big. Foxes have a very unique niche in their habitat as they help keep the population of many herbivore species down, which in turn helps plants spread out and grow. Foxes are very important to the ecosystem here in Jackson and around the world.