Red fox
The red fox, with its unmistakable bushy tail, can be seen in towns and the countryside. They mostly come out at night, but can also be seen during the day if you’re lucky!
Scientific name
Vulpes vulpesWhen to see
January to DecemberSpecies information
Statistics
Length: 62-72cmTail: 40cm
Weight: 5-7kg
Average lifespan: 2-3 years
Conservation status
Common.
About
The red fox is our only wild member of the dog family (Canidae). They are not fussy eaters and will happily munch on small mammals, birds, frogs, worms as well as berries and fruit! Foxes that live in towns and cities may even scavenge in bins to look for scraps. A male fox, called a dog, makes a barking noise whereas the females, called vixens, make a spine-chilling scream sound.How to identify
The red fox is medium-sized and orangey-red above, white below, with black tips to the ears, dark brown feet and a white tip to the bushy, orange tail (known as the 'brush').Distribution
Widespread, but absent from the Channel Islands, the Isles of Scilly, Scottish islands and the Isle of Man.In our area
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