A fox is considered the smallest animal in the canid, or dog, family. This type of animal is found in places throughout the world, in North and South America, Eurasia and Africa. Some foxes have been able to adapt well to their environments, such as the arctic fox, but some species, such as those found in parts of South America and Africa, are almost extinct because they are hunted or their natural habitats have been destroyed.
Definition
Foxes are animals that are defined by certain characteristics, such as short legs; light brown, dark brown, reddish or gray colors; a bushy tail; long, triangular ears; and a long, narrow nose.
Habitats
The most common type of fox, the red fox, lives on farms and in open fields in areas such as Eurasia, North Africa, Mexico and the Arctic. The gray fox lives in forests and bushes in places such as Southern Canada and South America. Ruppell's fox can survive in the Sahara Desert. The Arctic fox can live in ice fields in the Arctic.
Survival
Many foxes are nocturnal pack hunters that have a diet of smaller animals such as mice, rabbits, insects, carrion, worms and frogs as well as some fruit. They usually occupy territories of about 3 square miles.
Reproduction
Foxes tend to mate between December and February. Female foxes generally have 4 to 12 cubs, 51 to 53 days after mating. Arctic foxes have between 6 and 12 cubs, and red foxes tend to have about 5 cubs.
Life Span
Most types of foxes can live from 10 to 15 years in captivity, but they usually live between 2 and 3 years in the wild. Some red foxes can survive up to 7 years and some fennec foxes can live up to 12 years in the wild.
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