Living Beings
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Species · Canis
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Gray wolves are social canids whose family groups coordinate travel, defense and the care of young. Their behavior is flexible: prey, terrain …
Renard roux Ichkeul.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Identification awaits editorial review. AI-generated illustration. El Golli Mohamed · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide · species
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)
The red fox is a small canid with a pointed muzzle, large ears and a conspicuous tail. Its flexible feeding habits help it live in woodland, open country and landscapes altered by people.
Public research profile · final editorial review pending.
Tree of lifeScientific lineage
- LifeLife
- DomainEukaryota
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassMammalia
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyCanidae
- GenusVulpes
- SpeciesVulpes vulpes
Advanced classification
Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.
- cellular organisms cellular root
- Eukaryota domain
- Opisthokonta clade
- Metazoa kingdom
- Eumetazoa clade
- Bilateria clade
- Deuterostomia clade
- Chordata phylum
- Craniata subphylum
- Vertebrata clade
- Gnathostomata clade
- Teleostomi clade
- Euteleostomi clade
- Sarcopterygii superclass
- Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
- Tetrapoda clade
- Amniota clade
- Mammalia class
- Theria clade
- Eutheria clade
- Boreoeutheria clade
- Laurasiatheria superorder
- Carnivora order
- Caniformia suborder
- Canidae family
- Vulpes genus
- Vulpes vulpes species
Physical traits
A reddish coat is familiar, but dark and pale color forms occur. The long tail and relatively narrow muzzle help distinguish its silhouette.
Habitat and range
Foxes use cover for resting and open areas for foraging. Farmland and some urban environments can provide both.
Diet and nutrition
Small mammals are important food, alongside insects, fruit and other available resources.
Behavior and activity
Foraging is often solitary. Foxes cache food and use scent and vocal signals to communicate.
Reproduction and life cycle
Young develop in a den and depend on adults for food and protection before dispersing.
Geographic distribution
The species occurs across much of the Northern Hemisphere and has been introduced elsewhere, including Australia. Native and introduced populations should be distinguished.
Ecological role
Red foxes act as predators, scavengers and consumers of fruit. Introduced populations can affect native wildlife.
Distinctive adaptations
Acute hearing helps locate small prey; dietary flexibility supports survival in changing environments.
Conservation
Population condition differs by region. Being widespread does not remove the need to assess local pressures or impacts in introduced ranges.
Shared classification
Related species
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Species · Vulpes
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
The Arctic fox is a small northern canid adapted to cold, open landscapes. Dense fur, compact ears and fur-covered feet help it …
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Species · Canis
Golden Jackal
Canis aureus
The golden jackal is an adaptable canid whose common name has historically been applied too broadly. This account uses the current linked …
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Species · Canis
Coyote
Canis latrans
The coyote is an adaptable North American canid that can live in natural and human-modified landscapes. Its success reflects flexible food use …
Evidence
Sources
- Vulpes vulpes · NCBI Taxonomy ↗NCBI
- Vulpes vulpes — Natural Science Research Laboratory, Texas Tech University ↗Natural Science Research Laboratory, Texas Tech University
- Vulpes vulpes — Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan ↗Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
Connected life
Relationships
No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.
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