THE NORTH AMERICAN RED FOX
Also called the "Eastern American Red Fox" or "Common North American Fox", are small-sized canids, with long and slender legs and pointed
muzzle, and long brush-like tail. A small-sized subspecies of North American Red Fox, with
a relatively short tail and muzzle. Pelage is bright golden fulvous, varying to fulvous, darkest
along middle of back, slightly grizzled with white in the rump. Chin, throat and band down belly
white. Face rusty fulvous, profusely grizzled with white. Muzzle slender and pointed, white on
upper lip. Ears relatively large, pointed, erect, black backed, and usually white inside. Black on
feet reaching the thighs. Tail is fulvous, profusely mixed with black hairs on the undersurface,
with a black spot near the base, and a white tip. Females are smaller than males. North American
Foxes are comparatively lightweight, rather long for their mass, and have considerable sexual
dimorphism, compared with Eurasian Foxes.
About the species:
Current literature discusses whether or not the red fox is native to North America, with some research suggesting that nearly all red fox populations in North America are not native. Vulpes vulpes is usually seen either as an exotic species introduced by Europeans during the colonization of the North American continent or as a hybrid between European and North American red foxes. While it is claimed that Vulpes vulpes fulva stems from a non-native population that spread westward from European introduction, a historical analysis of firsthand accounts does not support this claim.
The native status of the American red fox has been demonstrated by current research, which has important implications for management strategies. Previous classifications and taxonomic uncertainties frame populations of Vulpes fulva as a non-native invasive species that can cause declines in the populations of native species and in carrying capacities and can populate regions at higher densities. The identification of the origins of the North American red fox populations is crucial in conservation efforts aimed at native vs. non-native species.
Reproduction and behavior - Gestation: 51-53 days.
- Young per birth: 4-7.
- Weaning: 60 days.
- Sexual maturity: 12 months.
- Life span: 5 years, 9 years in captivity.
- Breeding season: From December to February, with a peak in late January.
Births occur in late March or early April.
Dens are constructed during late winter in loose, well-drained soils. Social behavior: Mated pairs. The North American red foxes have been traditionally considered either as subspecies of the Old World red foxes or subspecies of their own species, V. fulva. Due to the opinion that North American red foxes were introduced from Europe, all North American red foxes have been seen as conspecific with V. vulpes; however, genetic analyses of global red fox haplotypes indicates that the North American red foxes have been genetically isolated from the Old World populations for 400,000 years, prompting possible application of V. fulva to all North American red foxes.
Castello (2018) has formalized treatment of Vulpes fulva as a separate species from the Old World Vulpes vulpes. In 2014, Mark J. Statham among others released a study that supports Vulpes fulva as a separate species from the Old World Vulpes vulpes. However, the American Society of Mammalogists considers V. vulpes to be the sole species, as splitting it into Old and New World forms would render the Old World vulpes paraphyletic.
Diet and interaction with the environment
Their diet consists in rabbits and mice, but
may also eat smaller amounts, poultry, squirrels, muskrats, quail,
small nongame birds, insects, nuts and fruits. Poultry loss to this
species is largely due to improper husbandry practices. It does not
exert real pressure on game bird populations. Their main predators are the coyote and the lynx.
Generally nocturnal, although they can also be observed during
the day, especially in open areas. During midday they return to their
denning area. They increase their daylight activity during autumn and
winter. Non-migratory, and usually use the same area for life, and
their size varies with the habitat, food abundance, and time of year,
averaging 8-10 km2. During late winter home ranges are larger, due
to a decrease in available food. Population densities average 2-3 per
km2, but in suitable habitat may range up to 32 per km2.
Habitat:
Native to Canada and United States. Found mainly in Eastern United
States: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, North
Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia,
Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont,
New Hampshire and Maine. Also found in southeastern Canada: specially in Southern Quebec, and Southern Ontario.
Their habitat consists in mixed vegetation communities that occur on edge
habitats with a high level of diversity. In developed areas they will
inhabit areas that offer a combination of woodland and agricultural
land. They can also be found in suburban and, less commonly,
urban areas where food is readily available.
Conservation status: Least Concern. Populations are largely controlled by sarcoptic mange and
associated secondary infections. Habitat competition from
coyotes also depresses Red Fox numbers, especially in southeastern states.
Physiognomic information:
- Body length: 60-72 cm
- Tail length: 31-40 cm
- Height: 40 cm
- Weight: 3.5-5.4 kg (♂), 4-4.5 kg (♀)
- Skull: 13.4 cm
Taxonomy:
The North American red foxes have been traditionally considered either as subspecies of the Old World red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, or subspecies of their own species, Vulpes fulva. Due to the opinion that North American red foxes were introduced from Europe, all North American red foxes have been seen as conspecific with Vulpes vulpes; however, genetic analyses of global red fox haplotypes indicates that the North American red foxes have been genetically isolated from the Old World populations for 400,000 years, prompting possible application of Vulpes fulva to all North American red foxes.
At least 9
subspecies are generally recognized in North America (Aubry, 1983
and 2009, Kamler and Ballard, 2002; Sacks, 2010): Vulpes fulva fulva (Eastern United States),
Vulpes fulva rubricosa (central and E Canada),
Vulpes fulva regalis,
Vulpes fulva alascensis (boreal Alaska),
Vulpes fulva abietorum (boreal Canada),
Vulpes fulva macroura
(Rocky Mountains),
Vulpes fulva cascadensis (Cascade Range),
Vulpes fulva necator
(Sierra Nevada) and
Vulpes fulva patwin (Sacramento Valley).
Castello (2018) has formalized treatment of Vulpes fulva as a separate species from the Old World Vulpes vulpes. In 2014, Mark J. Statham among others released a study that supports Vulpes fulva as a separate species from the Old World Vulpes vulpes. More about the Vulpes vulpes fulva and Vulpes fulva discussion:
Gallery:
Due to the similarity in appearance between North American Red Foxes, some of the images may be erroneous. That's why I haven't found any videos about this subspecies either, if you think you have any image or video of the Vulpes fulva abietorum let me know in the comments or contact me on any of my social networks (@etzharai).
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