Taxonomic name: Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms: Canis vulpes (Linnaeus 1758)
Common names: fuchs (German), lape (Lithuanian), lis (Polish), raposa (Portuguese), red fox (English), renard (French), rev (Norwegian), Rotfuchs (German), silver, black or cross fox (English), volpe (Italian), vos (Dutch), zorro (Spanish)
Organism type: mammal Native to Europe, Asia, North Africa and boreal regions of North America, Vulpes vulpes (the red fox) have been introduced into Australia and temperate regions of North America. They are now the most widely distributed carnivore in the world and have negative impacts on many native species, including smaller canids and ground nesting birds in North America, and many small and medium-sized rodent and marsupial species in Australia. Description
Three colour morphs of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are generally recognised: red, silver or black and cross. A pale-yellowish colour morph is common on the Arabian peninsula and within native subspecies in North America. In general, throat and abdomen are white, lower legs and ears are black and a bushy tail is tipped in white. The red fox exhibits a wide geographic and sub-species variation in size, as body length can range from 45 to 90cm, tail length from 30 to 55cm and body mass from 3 to 14kg. Similar Species
Vulpes vulpes
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Occurs in:
agricultural areas, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, tundra, urban areas Habitat description
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can occur in nearly all habitat types, including arctic tundra, desert, temperate forests, boreal forests, meadows, grasslands, agricultural and urban environments. They probably attain their highest densities in human-dominated habitats. General impacts
In Austrialia, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have eliminated remnant populations of some native rodent and marsupial species on the mainland and evidence suggests they are the primary cause in the decline and extinction of many other small and medium-sized rodent and marsupial species. In North America, introduced red foxes have negative impacts on many ground-nesting birds, such as ducks and grouse. In California, introduced red foxes have to be controlled on an annual basis to protect the nesting grounds of several endangered species of birds. Introduced red foxes also negatively impact smaller native canids, such as the endangered San Joaquin kit foxes and subspecies of native red foxes. Evidence suggests introduced red foxes might have already completely replaced several native sub-species of red foxes across Canada. Introduced red foxes are also a threat to livestock, as they prey on poultry, lambs and kids. Their high densities pose a health threat to humans and pets, through transmission of diseases, especially rabies, but also distemper, parvo virus and mange. Uses
Vulpes vulpes are useful to humans for sport hunting/trapping and as farm-raised animals, where they generate millions of dollars a year worldwide. The number of foxes being raised commercially for their fur now exceeds that of any other animal, except possibly the mink. Wild-caught red foxes are also valuable game animals in many regions of the world. Sport hunting may involve elaborate chases using horses and dogs, or lone hunters using predator calls to lure foxes towards them. Notes
The taxonomy between introduced and native red foxes in North America is still unresolved. Early mammalogists classified them as a separate species based on pelage and morphology. However, Churcher (1959) compared Old Word and New World red foxes and concluded they were conspecifics due to similarities in pelage and morphology. Since that single study, both types have been universally considered conspecifics. However, most New World specimens used in Churcher's (1959) analyses were descendants from introduced red foxes (with a European origin), thus conclusions were misleading (see Kamler and Ballard 2002). Geographical range
Native range: Europe, North Africa, most of Asia (excluding extreme Southeast Asia and southern India), and boreal regions of North America.
Known introduced range: Australia, Canada, U.S.A., and northern Mexico. Red foxes introduced into Australia in the 1850s have spread throughout the entire continent, except perhaps the north-central region. They have recently been introduced to Tasmania. Red foxes introduced into the eastern USA, starting in the mid-1700s, have spread throughout all lowland areas of the eastern and central USA and all of Canada. Red foxes transplanted from the eastern USA into California in the late 1800s have since spread throughout lowland areas of the western coast states, southwards into northern Mexico. Introduced red foxes may continue to spread southward into other areas of the New World and are now the most widely distributed carnivore in the world. Introduction pathways to new locations
Natural dispersal: Introduced populations spread to most areas of Australia, Canada, and USA
Other: Introduced for sport hunting purposes in Australia and USA
Local dispersal methods
Other (local): Transported for sport hunting purposes into many areas of USA Management information
Physical: The most effective control method for red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is trapping with food-hold devices. However, sport trapping of red foxes is closely associated with their pelt prices. To protect endangered species within small areas, a combination of fencing and trapping for foxes has been effective in both North America and Australia. Shooting is also used to control populations.
Chemical: Poisoning is also used to control populations.
Biological: Local red fox populations can be suppressed by larger canids (by direct predation), such as coyotes in North America and dingoes in Australia. Nutrition
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a non-specific predator, preying upon a variety of species (birds, reptiles, medium and small mammals), although small mammals are their predominate prey in most areas. It is also an effective scavenger; consuming carrion and rubbish in many areas. Red foxes are also omnivorous; consuming fruits, vegetables, eggs and insects, especially when they are seasonally available. Reproduction
Females are monoestrous with a 1-6 day oestrus cycle. In temperate environments, breeding occurs from December to April (later in more northern latitudes). In Australia, breeding occurs between June and October. Litter sizes range from 1 to 12, with average litter sizes being 3 to 6 pups. Litter sizes can increase with higher food availability and with age of females. Lifecycle stages
Parturition occurs after a gestation of 51-53 days. Lactation lasts for approximately 5 weeks and weaning occurs gradually. Females can breed before one year of age, however, in areas of high density most yearlings do not produce pups. Vulpes vulpes can live up to 9 years in the wild, although few individuals live more than 6 years. In the northern hemisphere, dispersal usually occurs from September to January. Males disperse further than females and dispersal distances are usually < 50km, with shorter dispersals (< 10km) in urban fox populations. This species has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders Reviewed by: Major update under progress
Jan F. Kamler, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit.
Oxford University UK Principal sources: Jan F. Kamler, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit Oxford University UK.
Compiled by: IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
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Last Modified: Thursday, 31 May 2007
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