25 Captivating Insights About Foxes

Foxes inhabit every continent except Antarctica, flourishing in urban, suburban, and rural environments. Though they are widespread, these creatures remain shrouded in mystery. Learn more about this intriguing animal.

Table of Contents

1. Foxes share a close kinship with dogs.

Belonging to the Canidae family, foxes are closely related to wolves, jackals, and dogs. These medium-sized animals weigh between two and 24 pounds, featuring sharp faces, slender bodies, and fluffy tails.

2. Foxes prefer a solitary lifestyle.

Unlike other members of the Canidae family, foxes do not form packs. While raising their offspring, they reside in small groups known as a “leash of foxes” or a “skulk of foxes” within underground dens. Outside of this, they hunt and rest independently.

3. Foxes share numerous traits with cats.

Similar to cats, foxes are primarily nocturnal, becoming active after sunset. Their vertically aligned pupils enhance vision in low light, and they hunt by stealthily stalking and ambushing prey. Foxes possess cat-like whiskers that are highly sensitive and spines on their tongues. They walk on their toes, contributing to their graceful, feline-like movement. The gray fox even boasts semi-retractable claws, making it the only canine capable of climbing trees. It often sleeps in tree branches, much like a cat.

4. There are 12 true fox species—and numerous relatives.

Out of the 37 animals referred to as foxes, only 12 are classified as “true foxes,” belonging to the genus Vulpes. These include the red fox, Arctic fox, fennec fox, and kit fox. True foxes are characterized by their flattened skulls, triangular snouts, and bushy tails. However, identifying them in the wild can be challenging. Studies reveal that while wildlife enthusiasts can recognize most North American mammals, they often mistake foxes for other canids, such as coyotes.

5. The red fox is the most widespread fox species.

The red fox boasts the largest geographical range among the 280 species in the Carnivora order. Naturally found in mixed scrub and woodland areas, its adaptable diet enables it to thrive in diverse environments. Its habitat spans the entire Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and the Asiatic steppes. It has also been introduced to Australia, where it is regarded as an invasive species.

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6. Foxes utilize Earth’s magnetic field.

Similar to a guided missile, foxes exploit Earth’s magnetic field for hunting. While other creatures such as birds, sharks, and turtles possess this “magnetic sense,” the fox is the first known to employ it for capturing prey.

As reported by New Scientist, foxes perceive the planet’s magnetic field as a “ring of shadow” in their vision, which intensifies as they align with magnetic north. When this shadow aligns with the sound of prey, they strike.

7. Foxes excel as parents.

Fox pups are born blind and remain so for nine days after birth. During this period, they stay in the den with the vixen (female), while the dog (male) provides food. They remain with their parents until they reach seven months of age. Vixens are fiercely protective; for instance, in England, a fox pup trapped in a wire for two weeks survived because its mother brought it food daily.

8. Fox pup play can turn intense.

Foxes are playful creatures, engaging in games with each other and even other species. However, play also serves to establish social order, beginning at a very young age. Animal behaviorist Sandra Alvarez-Betancourt analyzed thousands of hours of infrared footage capturing pup activity in dens. She found that the battle for dominance begins as soon as the pups can walk. This play can be harsh—sometimes even deadly. One in five pups does not survive the den.

9. The tiniest fox weighs under three pounds.

The pale fennec fox, about the size of a kitten, inhabits the deserts of North Africa, where it rests during the day to escape the intense heat. It has several adaptations for survival: its large ears dissipate body heat to stay cool (and enhance hearing), and its fur-covered paws enable it to walk on scorching sand, akin to wearing snowshoes.

10. Foxes have shared a long history with humans.

Despite being wild animals, foxes have a deep-rooted connection with humans. In 2011, researchers uncovered a 16,500-year-old grave in Jordan containing the remains of a man and his pet fox. This predates the earliest-known burial of a human and a domestic dog by 4000 years.

11. The island fox presents an evolutionary mystery.

This small fox inhabits the Channel Islands near Southern California. It is believed to have descended from gray foxes brought by settlers around 13,000 years ago. Recent research reveals that island foxes have nearly identical genetics. One population holds the record for the least genetic diversity among sexually reproducing species, as reported by The New York Times. Typically, such low genetic variation leads to health issues, but the island fox has shown remarkable resilience. Once critically endangered, conservation efforts have improved their status to near threatened.

12. Fox fur exhibits a wide range of colors.

For example, the Arctic fox’s fur shifts color with the seasons, appearing in either a blue or white morph. The white morph is brown or gray during summer and turns white in snowy conditions. The blue morph remains dark gray or brown throughout the year.

The red fox also displays a variety of colors, such as silver, black, orange, or a combination of all three. While these color variations occur naturally, selective breeding for fur has introduced unique patterns. These include the marble fox, featuring white fur with gray or black streaks; the cross fox, with red fur and black patches; and the pink champagne fox, characterized by peachy-white fur and a pink nose.

13. In a notable experiment, domesticated foxes began to exhibit dog-like traits.

In 1959, Soviet geneticist Dmitry Belyaev initiated a domestication experiment. He selectively bred silver foxes, choosing those displaying the least aggression toward humans. Within 10 generations, the foxes began seeking human interaction, licking hands, barking, and wagging their tails. Their coats developed white patches, and their ears became floppy. This hinted at genetic connections between physical traits and behavior in domesticated animals. While the experiment’s methods have faced criticism, it provided valuable insights into the effects of selective breeding on domestication.

14. Some individuals keep foxes as pets.

While wild animals should never be kept as pets, Belyaev’s experiment led to the existence of domesticated foxes. Unlike tamed foxes, which learn to tolerate humans, domesticated foxes are bred to be gentle from birth. Regulations and access to pet foxes differ by region. These foxes are known to be inquisitive and good-natured, but also highly energetic and prone to mischief. Some compare living with them to having a toddler around. (Note that foxes bred in the U.S. are not truly domesticated or tame, unlike those from the Siberian facility.)

15. Switzerland devised a clever way to vaccinate foxes.

In the 1960s, Switzerland faced a rabies outbreak among foxes. Since rabies can spread to humans through bites and is potentially fatal, it became a public health emergency. The government aimed to vaccinate foxes but found manual administration costly and challenging. Instead, they distributed 52,000 vaccinated chicken heads across the countryside for foxes to consume. “From 1979 to 1984, chicken heads rained down on rural areas,” as reported by The Atlantic. The strategy succeeded, eradicating rabies and showcasing both the power of vaccines and foxes’ fondness for chicken.

16. Arctic foxes remain unfazed by cold until temperatures drop to -94°F (-70°C).

The Arctic fox, inhabiting the northernmost regions of the hemisphere, endures cold better than most creatures. It doesn’t shiver until temperatures plummet to -94°F (-70°C). Its dense fur traps heat, and it uses its tail like a blanket for warmth. In autumn, they accumulate fat, sometimes boosting their body weight by 50%. This extra layer provides insulation, helping them survive winter’s harshest conditions when food is scarce.

17. Climate change poses a threat to Arctic foxes.

The Arctic fox population is dwindling, largely due to the encroachment of red foxes. As temperatures rise, red foxes are expanding into the Arctic tundra, competing for the same prey. Red foxes are more skilled hunters and, adding to the problem, they prey on Arctic foxes. This situation does not bode well for the survival of Arctic foxes.

18. Fox hunting remains a contentious issue.

Fox hunting has been a favored pastime in Britain since the 16th century. By the 19th century, the upper class had transformed it into a formal sport, involving hounds and riders pursuing a fox until its demise. Today, debates over banning fox hunting persist in the UK, where foxes are often viewed as nuisances. Currently, fox hunting is permitted with two dogs if the fox is causing property damage.

19. Foxes are incredibly swift.

Certain foxes can reach speeds of up to 42 mph, redefining the phrase quick like a fox. They are highly agile, capable of leaping three feet high and scaling fences and roofs. Their endurance is equally remarkable: One Arctic fox trekked 2700 miles from Norway to Canada in just three months, averaging over 30 miles per day.

20. Foxes feature prominently in folklore.

Foxes appear in various cultural tales, such as the nine-tail fox in Asian traditions, Reynard stories from medieval Europe, the cunning trickster fox in Native American folklore, and Aesop’s “The Fox and the Crow.” Finnish legends claim a fox created the northern lights by running through snow, its tail flinging sparks into the sky, leading to the term fox fires (though “Firefox,” like the Mozilla browser, refers to the red panda).

21. Foxes are often linked to slyness.

In Western traditions, foxes are frequently described as crafty, intelligent, and deceitful. This isn’t a compliment: they are often depicted as selfish tricksters. This perception likely stems from their adaptability, nocturnal behavior, and knack for infiltrating hen houses or evading hunters. Foxes continue to outsmart humans, as seen in a video where an Arctic fox feigned death to escape Siberian trappers—proving its reputation as a sly creature.

22. In London, foxes are undergoing self-domestication.

A study on urban foxes in London uncovered an unexpected trend: They are beginning to resemble domesticated dogs. Compared to their rural counterparts, London foxes have shorter snouts and smaller brains. While the reason remains unclear, the fascinating aspect is that this change is self-driven. As evolutionary biologist Kevin Parsons told the BBC, “This is the result of foxes choosing to live near humans, developing traits that make them appear more like domesticated animals.”

23. Bat-eared foxes use their ears to hunt insects.

The bat-eared fox earns its name not only from its 5-inch ears but also from how it uses them—like bats, it listens for insects. Each night, it roams the African savannah, detecting prey burrowing underground. While it consumes various insects and lizards, termites make up the majority of its diet. In fact, the bat-eared fox often claims termite mounds as its home, typically clearing out the original inhabitants before settling in.

24. Charles Darwin identified a new fox species.

While aboard the HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin encountered a small fox on Chiloé Island, Chile. The fox was perched on a rocky cliff, observing the anchored ship with curiosity. Darwin noted, “He was so engrossed in watching the officers’ activities that I managed to approach quietly and strike him with my geological hammer.”

Today, this small gray fox is critically endangered, inhabiting only two locations: Chiloé Island and a mainland area near a Chilean national park. Its primary threats are habitat destruction and rabid dogs.

25. What does the fox say? Quite a bit, actually.

Foxes produce up to 40 distinct sounds. Among these, the most alarming is their scream, frequently heard at night during mating season.

This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2023.