Red Fox - Five Sisters Zoo

Red Foxes are possibly the most geographically wide-spread member of the carnivore family, existing across nearly all of the Northern Hemisphere. They are incredibly adaptable in both the habitat they occupy and the food they eat, so have found ways to live alongside human habitation as well as their traditional habitat. In the UK, the Red Fox is an iconic species but is also subject to a range of human-wildlife conflicts due to its status in some locations as a pest species.

Facts

Diet: Carnivore; small mammals, birds, fish and some crustaceans, bird’s eggs, some invertebrates, carrion, and human food waste.

Weight: 4-7kg

Length: 100-125cm including tail

Habitat: North America, Europe, Asia, northern India, the Middle East; prefers forested areas, grasslands, moor or scrubland with vegetation cover, but also thrives in human-dominated areas provided there is sufficient access to food and shelter.

Life Span: 2-4 years in the wild, but some individuals have been 10 years old or more

Adapted to Survive

  • Highly adaptable to different environments and food sources
  • Scent glands on their feet allow them to mark trails so they can easily follow the pathway later
  • Thick tail can be used to keep the fox warm in colder weather

Threats

  • Human-wildlife conflict

IUCN Conservation Status

Least Concern

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