Red Fox
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One of the most iconic animals in the UK, the red fox can be seen in both towns and the countryside. The red fox is orange/red with a white underside, dark brown/black feet and a bushy orange tail with a white tip. They weigh between 5-8kg.
They live underground in burrows known as 'earths' which provide a safe space for them and their cubs. They are mostly active during the night. Males (known as dogs) are larger than females (known as vixens) and they have a broader head with a longer, narrower snout. They communicate with each other using their scent, body language and vocalisations such as barks, whines, screams and calls. Screams are mostly heard in the breeding season which is in December/ January and are made by vixens calling for a mate. Fox cubs are called Kits and they are usually born around March/ April. The kits will stay in their earth with their mother for a number of weeks before emerging into the outside world. |
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Red foxes are omnivores and typically eat birds, amphibians, small mammals such rabbits and rats, some insects such as beetles and worms and fruits and berries. They have a tendency to kill and cache food which leads to a false perception that foxes kill for fun.
Foxes will kill animals such as chickens and pet rabbits if they are not in a secure fox proof environment but they are unlikely to harm a cat, dog or human. Foxes are sometimes inaccurately referred to as 'vermin.' It is worth noting that this is an individual opinion and red foxes have never been classified as 'vermin' by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Foxes will kill animals such as chickens and pet rabbits if they are not in a secure fox proof environment but they are unlikely to harm a cat, dog or human. Foxes are sometimes inaccurately referred to as 'vermin.' It is worth noting that this is an individual opinion and red foxes have never been classified as 'vermin' by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
