Red fox

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most common of the foxes native to North America, and is the most common predator in Minnesota.

Description

The red fox is dog-like in appearance, with an elongated pointed muzzle and large pointed ears that are usually erect and forward. It has moderately long legs and long, thick, soft body fur with a heavily furred, bushy tail. Typically, red foxes are colored with a light orange-red coat, black legs, lighter-colored underfur and a white-tipped tail.

The average size of an adult fox is 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder. It is about 3 feet in length, with a 13-inch tail, and weighs between eight and 15 pounds.

Range and habitat

Red foxes live throughout Minnesota in many types of habitat, ranging from mature forest to open fields. Red foxes have also demonstrated their adaptability by establishing breeding populations in many urban areas. They range over about two square miles, depending on how far they need to travel to find food.

Habits

Foxes are opportunists, feeding mostly on rabbits, mice, ground squirrels, snakes, fish, birds and bird eggs, insects, fruits, nuts and seeds. Foxes usually kill animals smaller than a rabbit. The fox’s keen hearing, vision and sense of smell aid in detecting prey. Foxes stalk even the smallest mice with skill and patience. Red foxes sometimes kill more than they can eat and bury food in caches for later use. All foxes feed on carrion (animal carcasses) at times.

Predators

Red foxes compete for space with coyotes, which will kill foxes.

Behavior

Foxes are most active during the early hours of darkness and the very early morning hours. They do move about during the day, however, especially when it’s dark and overcast.

Foxes are solitary animals except from the winter breeding season through midsummer, when mates and their young associate closely. Foxes have a wide variety of calls. They may bark, scream, howl, yap, growl, or make sounds similar to a hiccup. During winter a male will often give a yelling bark (wo-wo-wo) that seems to be important in warning other male foxes not to intrude on its territory. Red foxes may dig their own dens or use abandoned burrows of a woodchuck or badger. The same dens may be used for several generations.

Mating in red foxes normally occurs from mid-January to early February. Fox pups can be born from March in southern areas to May in the arctic zones. Red foxes generally produce four to nine pups. The pups nurse for 10 weeks and are fully independent at seven months. Foxes disperse from denning areas during the fall months and establish breeding areas in vacant territories, sometimes dispersing considerable distances.

Please keep in mind, that although the wildlife in Minnetonka may be driving you crazy, the discharge of any firearm or air-powered weapon is prohibited in Minnetonka (city ordinance 1025.025). If you are concerned about wildlife on your property, please contact the Minnetonka Police Department at 952.939.8500.

Information taken from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website and from the North Carolina State University Wildlife Extension Service.