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Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Red foxes are extremely common in Ohio; preferring 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 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 bushy white-tipped tail.
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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.
- Diet
Foxes are omnivorous and will eat almost anything. They feed on things such as rodents, birds, eggs, reptiles, insects, carrion, berries, fruits, or vegetables. Although they live in pairs, foxes are solitary hunters. - Reproduction
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