46 Crafty Fox Facts

By James Israelsen, Associate Writer

Published March 27, 2022

The only continents that don't have red foxes are South America and Antarctica._[5]
There are over 20 species of fox._[5]
The size of different fox species varies, but none grow to weigh more than 25 pounds._[5]
Fox species that live in cold areas of the world usually have both a summer and a winter coat, each of which sheds when the temperature changes, to let the new coat grow in._[5]
On cold nights, foxes cover themselves with their tail, like a blanket, to keep warm._[5]
A fox's tail helps it keep its balance when pouncing on prey._[5]
Most species of arctic fox have a dark coat in summer and a white coat in winter, to help them blend in with the environment._[5]
The average life span of a red fox in the wild is only 2 to 4 years._[2]
Foxes are canines, meaning they are related to dogs, wolves, and coyotes._[2]

The fox is often represented as the chicken farmer's worst enemy

Of all the meat-eating mammals on planet Earth, the red fox is the most widespread._[2]
Biologists recommend never feeding foxes that live in urban areas, so that they will retain their ability to hunt._[2]
Although they are relatives of dogs, red foxes have long whiskers, retractable claws, and great night vision—just like cats._[2]
Almost all species of fox hunt solo._[2]
Fox parents both take care of their pups, taking turns hunting for food for the family._[2]
Foxes are able to hear rodents that are digging miles underground._[2]
Red foxes have over 20 different calls that they can make and understand._[2]
Kitsune—mythological foxes that play the role of tricksters in Japanese myth—are referenced in The Tale of Genji, the world's oldest novel._[1]
Fox pups are raised by their parents for the first seven months of their lives._[2]
A group of foxes is known as either a “skulk” or a “leash.”_[2]
Some fox dens, passed on from generation to generation, are over 300 years old._[4]
In the myths of the Apache, it was Fox who stole fire and gave it to humankind._[1]

Foxes have a mythos all their own: clever, crafty, and a bit mysterious

The arctic fox’s thick fur keeps its body at an average temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit._[4]
Arctic foxes live within the Arctic Circle._[4]
Arctic foxes can live and hunt on both frozen land and sea ice._[4]
One of the arctic fox’s predators is the golden eagle._[4]
Arctic foxes have been known to follow polar bears, hoping to share in the spoils of the bear's hunt._[4]
Arctic foxes are able to slow down their own heart rate, allowing them to quasi-hibernate for up to two weeks._[4]
Desert foxes have bodies that are only between 9 and 16 inches (22 to 40 cm) long._[3]
Red foxes will eat birds, frogs, snakes, grasshoppers, berries, rabbits, mice, most rodents, and garbage._[2]
Desert foxes are nocturnal._[3]

The urban fox in its "natural" habitat

As their natural habitats have been encroached upon by human development, red foxes have adapted to city life, hunting in garbage cans and establishing their dens under porches._[2]
Although very small, desert foxes can jump two feet in the air and can leap across distances of four feet._[3]
Unlike most foxes, desert foxes live in groups of up to 10 other foxes._[3]
In Britain, a fox was once found in a London high-rise; it had climbed the stairs up 72 stories._[1]
Most major cities in Canada, the United States, Great Britain, and Australia all have foxes living in them._[1]
Foxes' teeth allow them to eat an extremely varied diet and are the reason for their success as a species._[1]
Foxes are descended from a canine animal that lived in the ancient jungles of what is modern-day Texas._[1]
The earliest known foxes to migrate got as far as Africa, over seven million years ago._[1]
A woman buried in what is now Jordan over 16,000 years ago was buried with a red fox carefully placed over her body._[1]
In the Asian region of the Levant, it is common to find foxes buried alongside humans in graves that are over 8,000 years old._[1]
"Vixen" is the name for a female fox, while male foxes are called "tods" or "dog foxes,"_[6]
Foxes can retract their claws and are the only type of canine that can do so._[6]
Great Britain outlawed the ancient custom of hunting foxes using dogs in 2004._[6]
Eighty-five percent of all fox fur sold in the fur industry comes from foxes raised on factory farms._[6]
Grey foxes can climb trees and are the only type of dog species that can do so._[6]
In 2009, a baby fox cub caught in a snare survived for two weeks because his mother brought him food every day until he was rescued by an animal rights group._[6]