
Biometrics
Comprimento: cabeça-corpo: 58 – 90 cm; cauda: 32 – 48 cm
Peso: 4 – 8 kg (fêmeas) e 6 – 10 kg (machos)
Curiosities: Foxes are one of the only two species of wild canids that occurs in Portugal, along with the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus). In the wild, foxes generally live up to 9 years. It usually runs at 6 - 13 km/h, but it has been observed making short runs at 60 km/h.
Red fox
(Vulpes vulpes)
Class Mammalia, Order Carnivora, Family Canidae
General description
The fox, or red fox, is characterised by its reddish-brown fur, pointed snout, and pointy ears. Its colour can vary a lot, from darker shades of brown, red with yellowish tints and grey, but always accompanied by white fur on the abdomen. The back and tips of the ears are black, and the lower areas of the paws also have black “stockings”. The fox’s tail is long and downy, with a white tip.
Feeding
Foxes are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on several types of resources, depending on what is most abundant in their territory. They hunt small animals, such as wild rabbits and different species of rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates (such as earthworms and beetles). However, they can also feed on eggs, fruits, and berries.
Behavior
Foxes are generally nocturnal, but can also be active during the day in tranquil areas. They inhabit burrows that they dig and protect with vegetation, or roost in abandoned rabbit or badger burrows. Foxes live in groups, formed by an adult male and several females that are divided in a hierarchical system. Breeding is sometimes exclusive to the dominant females, while other females help in the construction of the den and in the protection, feeding and raising of the group’s offspring. Mating takes place between December and February, and the young foxes are born between March and May. Foxes can make at least 28 different vocalizations/sounds, ranging from barking, growling and squealing to screaming.
In Portugal
The fox is present throughout the whole territory in a generalised and uniform way, except in the Azores and Madeira islands. It is found in many different types of habitats, including urban areas, but it prefers forested and agricultural areas. In terms of conservation and legislation, the species is included in Appendix D of the CITES Convention, however it can be legally hunted in Portugal according to hunting laws. Its main threats in Portugal, in addition to the destruction and fragmentation of the habitat, are direct persecution, through illegal hunting and poisoning, and road mortality.