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Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
If you've seen a fox in Ohio, it was most likely this species. Red foxes prefer to live on the edge of farmland, parks, cemeteries, or neighborhoods. About the size of your average house-cat (10-12lbs), red foxes do not pose a threat to children or pets. The varying wild colors seen in this species of fox are referred to as red phase, black or 'silver' phase (melanistic), and cross phase (black and red fur). In Ohio, we only see the red phase. Red foxes can be easily distinguished from a coyote or gray fox by their black 'socks' and bushy white-tipped tail.
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- Diet
Small mammals, birds, crustaceans, fish, carrion, fruits, berries, and vegetables. - Reproduction
Although they tend to be monogamous, mated pairs come together only for breeding and raising young.
Breeding season is between January and March. Gestation period is 49-58 days, with the average litter size between 4-6 kits.
Red foxes reach sexual maturity at 10 months of age.
- Communication
Red foxes communicate through body language, scent, and vocalizations.
Red fox are mostly vocal in the winter (breeding season) and in spring while raising kits.
Females in particular can sound like a woman or child screaming when making their alert call.
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Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)The gray fox is actually not a "true" fox; but a "paraphyletic" fox, meaning that they do not belong to the genus vulpes. Gray foxes are about 7-14lbs and live in a densely wooded habitat, often climbing in trees. Once the most common fox species in the Midwest; the gray fox has declined in numbers due to habitat loss, competition from coyotes, and disease. In Ohio, they were considered endangered until recently.
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- Diet
Small mammals, birds, crustaceans, fish, carrion, fruits, berries, and vegetables. - Reproduction
Gray foxes are solitary, but pairs come together for breeding and raising young.
Breeding season is between January and May. Gestation period is about 53 days, with the average litter size between 3-5 kits.
Gray foxes reach sexual maturity at 10 months of age.
- Communication
Gray foxes communicate through body language, scent, and vocalizations.
During breeding season they will make a 'bark' or 'yip' type of call.
