Red Fox

Red Fox

Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes

Red Fox

Easily recognised from the other carnivores by its pointed muzzle, long ears, thick, bushy tail, usually tipped white, and generally reddish coat.

It often looks bigger than it really is, as it can be compared to a small dog. It can weigh as much as 5-6 kg and reach 100cm in length (40cm of which is the tail).

It is undoubtedly the most adaptable European Carnivore; in fact it is possible to come across a fox in the most remote mountains and in densely populated towns. Its versatility lies in its non-specialised feeding habits (it can eat rats, rabbits, galliforms, or insects and fruit) - as well as its ability to find shelter anywhere: in bushes, haystacks, cereal fields, rocks or abandoned pipes etc.

It breeds once a year and the young are generally born from the second half of April onwards. The mother suckles her young until mid June, they live with her until September, then leave to look for a territory of their own where to live.

In Italy the fox can be found practically all over the national territory, except for the smallest islands, but its numbers vary. It is probably more numerous on the hills and pre-Apennines than in the plains or mountains over 1,000 m.