What kind of animal is a fox? We will introduce, disseminate and explain information about its characteristics, ecology and habitat on this page. There is probably no one who doesn’t know about foxes. Foxes live on most continents, so they have a fairly wide distribution, but some subspecies are designated as endangered species and are in a dangerous situation.
What is a fox? About basic status
A fox is an animal in the genus Fox, in the order Carnivora of the class Mammalia and the subfamily Canidae. There are considerable differences in physique depending on the subspecies or the same division. The body length is 30-70cm and the weight is 2-10kg. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | キツネ |
| English（英名） | Fox |
| scientific name(学名) | Vulpes |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Canidae、Caninae 哺乳綱、食肉目、イヌ科、イヌ亜科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 30～70cm |
| Weight（体重） | 2～10kg |
About classification
The following subspecies of fox exist: This is a quote from Wikipedia. By the way, subspecies that are already extinct have also been confirmed.
- アカギツネ red fox、Vulpes vulpes
- アフガニスタンキツネ (ブランフォードギツネ) Blanford’s fox、Vulpes cana
- オグロスナギツネ pale fox、Vulpes pallida
- オジロスナギツネ Rueppel’s fox、Vulpes rueppelli
- ケープギツネ Cape fox、Vulpes chama
- コサックギツネ corsac fox、Vulpes corsac
- スウィフトギツネ swift fox、Vulpes velox
- チベットスナギツネ Tibetan fox、Vulpes ferrilata
- キットギツネ kit fox、Vulpes macrotis
- ベンガルギツネ Bengal fox、Vulpes bengalensis
- フェネック (フェネックギツネ) fennec、Vulpes zerda (Fennecus zerda)
- ホッキョクギツネ arctic fox、Vulpes lagopus (Alopex lagopus)
- オオミミギツネ bat-eared fox、Otocyon megalotis
- カニクイキツネ属（カニクイイヌ属） Cerdocyon
- カニクイキツネ（カニクイイヌ） crab-eating fox、Cerdocyon thous
- クルペオギツネ属 Lycalopex (Pseudalopex)
- クルペオギツネ (クルペオ) culpeo、Lycalopex culpaeus
- スジオイヌ hoary fox、Lycalopex vetulus
- セチュラギツネ Sechura fox、Lycalopex sechurae
- チコハイイロギツネ Argentine gray fox, chilla、Lycalopex griseus
- パンパスギツネ pampas fox, Azara’s dog、Lycalopex gymnocercus
- フォークランドキツネ属（フォークランドオオカミ属、アザライヌ属） Dusicyon
- フォークランドキツネ（フォークランドオオカミ） Falkland island fox、Dusicyon australis
- ハイイロギツネ属 Urocyon
- ハイイロギツネ gray fox、Urocyon cinereoargenteus
- シマハイイロギツネ island fox、Urocyon littoralis
About habitat
Foxes (silver foxes, Japanese foxes) are widely distributed throughout the world, including Japan (Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu, etc.), North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. In Japan, they are often seen in places such as Honshu.
- Fox Distribution
Foxes are highly adaptable and live in a wide range of areas around the world.
Main Distribution Areas
Eurasia: Japan, China, Russia, and throughout Europe
North America: Canada and the United States
North Africa: Desert areas
Australia: Artificially introduced populations
*Found on almost every continent except Antarctica
- Habitats of Foxes in Japan
The following species are found in Japan:
🦊 Red fox
All over Hokkaido
Forests, grasslands, farmlands, and near the coast
In recent years, they have also been spotted around urban areas
🦊 Japanese red fox
Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu
Common in satoyama, mountain forests, and rural areas
- Preferred Environments
Foxes are highly adaptable to their environment.
Forests and grasslands
Farmland and satoyama (undeveloped woodlands)
Deserts and semi-desert areas (e.g., fennec foxes)
Urban suburbs and residential areas
👉 One of the few wild animals that can enter human habitats
- Habitat and behavior
Live in burrows (slope, riverbank, forest edge, etc.)
Prefers places with abundant food
Nocturnal to crepuscular, avoiding human attention
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Foxes are unusual among canids because they live in small family units rather than in packs. Although it is said that they are not very social, they are often seen traveling in large families. They are mainly nocturnal and often live in forests, forests, and forests near villages. They have a keen sense of smell and hearing, and can run at an extremely fast speed of 70km/h.
- Appearance
Body Type: Slender and supple, with long legs
Body Length: Approximately 60-90cm (tail 30-50cm)
Weight: Approximately 3-10kg (depending on species)
Tail (Bubbly)
Maintains balance
Uses as cold weather protection (wraps around face when cold)
Coat Color
Reddish-brown (red fox) is the most well-known
Various colors, including white, black, silver, and sand
- Excellent Senses
Hearing: Can hear the movement of mice underground
Smell: Accurately detects the scent of food and territory
Vision: Resists darkness and has excellent dynamic vision
👉 Highly developed hunting senses
- Behavior and Abilities
High jumping ability (“mouse jump” to pounce on prey)
Excellent running and explosive power
Primarily solitary (does not form groups)
Digs burrows, where it rests and raises young
- Intelligence and Personality
Highly intelligent and quick to learn
Adapts quickly to new environments
Highly cautious and keeps their distance from others
Curious but cautious
What is your personality like?
Foxes are known to be agile and highly adaptable animals. However, they can be as capricious and unrestrained as cats. There are considerable individual differences between them. Many people mistake them for wolves because their ears look just like those of wolves. They are carnivorous and are constantly searching for and hunting prey such as chickens.
- Very cautious
Do not approach people or large animals immediately
Sensitive to noise and smells, and will quickly flee if they sense danger
Cautious and vigilant even in familiar environments
- Highly intelligent and able to learn
Avoid traps and dangerous places once they have memorized them
Learn human behavior patterns
Adaptable enough to survive in urban areas
- Solitary behavior is the norm
Do not form groups; primarily act alone
Do not interact with others more than necessary
Typically form pairs only during breeding season
- Curious but cautious
Shows interest in new things
However, they do not approach immediately and will “wait and see”
Rarely engage in reckless behavior
- Sensitive and susceptible to stress
Sensitive to changes in the environment
Understands severe stress from loud noises and continued human interference
In the wild, they have a tendency to “avoid unnecessary conflict”
What is the ecology like?
Foxes are almost omnivorous, so they prey on small animals such as rabbits and mice, birds, insects, and fruits such as apples. They also eat food waste from outside the school, so they are highly adaptable. The breeding season varies depending on the subspecies, but it runs from December to February. They give birth around late March to April. They can give birth to 3-6 pups at a time. Their lifespan is said to be about 10 years.
- Activity
Nocturnal to crepuscular
Mainly active from dusk to night to dawn
Rests in burrows or shade during the day
Selects times when there are fewer humans around
- Lifestyle
Basically solitary
Haves its own territory, marking it with scent
Territory size
Approximately 2-10 square kilometers (depending on the environment and food availability)
- Burrow (Roost)
Digs a burrow in the ground
Slopes, riverbanks, forest edges, etc.
Often has multiple entrances and exits
Mainly used for resting and raising young
- Diet/Hunting
Omnivorous
Mice, small birds, frogs, insects
Fruits, nuts
In urban areas, they may eat human scraps
Typical hunting methods:
Mouse jump (jumping high up to pounce on prey)
- Breeding
Breeding Season: Winter (January–February)
Gestation Period: Approximately 50 days
Litter Size: Approximately 3–6 pups
Females are primarily responsible for raising the young
Males may also provide support by bringing food.
Are there any natural enemies?
The natural enemy of foxes is humans. It is known that there are a very high number of cases of foxes being hit by cars and dying. They are often hit by cars, which are large and not seen in the wild, just like raccoon dogs.
About Baby Foxes
This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of baby foxes (fox cubs), from birth to development.
- Birth
Birthing Season: Spring (March-May)
Litter Size: 3-6 pups are typical (sometimes as many as 10)
Birth Condition
Eyes are closed
Weight: Approximately 100g
Short fur, gray to brownish color
Very helpless, spends most of their time in the den
- Up to 1 Month Old
Raised solely on nursing
Eyes open around 2 weeks old
Hearing and sense of smell gradually develop
Mother fox constantly cares for them
- Den Debut (1-2 Months Old)
Pups begin to leave the den
Gain strength and social skills through play with siblings
Tails begin to grow bushy
Become wary of people and danger
- Hunting Practice (2-4 Months Old)
Parents bring back prey and begin hunting practice
Imitate tricks like jumping mice
Acclimate to a omnivorous diet
- Independence (5-7 months old)
Leaves parents and begins living alone
Begins to search for territory
The competition for survival is most intense during this period
- Personality Characteristics (Young Animals)
Highly curious
Learns hunting and avoidance behaviors through play
Less cautious than adults, but learns quickly
Are foxes an endangered species?
Overall, the fox population is very stable. However, some subspecies are already listed as endangered. Mountain dogs and striped gray foxes have already been designated as such, and many collisions with cars occur every year and are a major cause of death. The main point of this division is whether the destruction of human habitats can be stopped.
- General fox status
🦊 Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
The most widely distributed fox in the world
IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
Populations are stable, including in Japan (Ezo red fox and Japanese red fox).
➡ The “ordinary fox” that many people think of
is almost never at risk of extinction.
- Near-threatened and Extinct foxes
On the other hand, foxes with limited habitats are in extremely dangerous condition.
❗ Examples of extinct species
Not the Japanese wolf
👉 Falkland Islands fox (Dusicyon australis)
Extinct due to humans in the 19th century
⚠ Examples of endangered species
Darwin’s fox
IUCN: Endangered (EN/Vulnerable)
Habitat restricted to parts of Chile
Tibetan fox
Decreasing populations in some areas
- Causes of the crisis
Habitat destruction and fragmentation
Introduction of invasive species
Human extermination and hunting
Diseases (such as mange and rabies)
Foxes living on islands or in restricted areas are particularly susceptible.
Can foxes be kept as pets?
Foxes can be kept as pets. If you want to keep a fox as a pet, there are a few things you need to prepare beforehand. We recommend that you first observe them at a zoo or event. There are many types of foxes, including the red fox. The faces of the foxes vary depending on the type, so they may not be as you imagine.
big cage
Just like dogs, if you don’t want your pet to move around the house, a cage is essential. It’s a good idea to choose one that is spacious enough for your pet to move around in. Your pet will also leave feces, so it’s ideal to have a cage large enough to dispose of. Since your pet was originally a wild animal, if it cannot adapt, it will need to be returned to the wild.
toilet
Foxes rarely learn to use the toilet. The excrement is very smelly, so you must clean the toilet immediately after using it.
How should I feed it?
We recommend a balanced dog food or cat food for your fox. There is no problem with drinking tap water.
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