Elizaveta Patrikeevna, fox Alice, little fox-sister... This cunning beast is not affectionately called in folk tales. Today in our article - the animal fox, description, photo and video about this amazing red forest inhabitant.

Red fox (common fox)

The fox is the main character in many fairy tales; she is always described as a cunning thief, with a beautiful “fur coat” and a fluffy tail. Why is the fox called cunning? Is she really like this, or only in fairy tales?

The red fox belongs to the Canine family. She has pointed ears and an elongated muzzle. This animal also has unusually beautiful long-haired fur and a long fluffy tail, which serves as a “blanket” for the front paws and nose while the fox is resting.

The size of this animal is medium: the body length is no more than 90 centimeters, and the tail is from 40 to 60 cm. The animal weighs from 6 to 10 kilograms. The age to which a fox lives in the wild is no more than 7 years.

The red fox has a white tip to its tail and black spots on its paws.

In nature, the common fox has different coat colors, but on farms where foxes are bred, there are representatives of platinum color and silver-black. Such rare colors are valued among hunters, so if a fox that has escaped from a fur farm comes into the hunter’s field of vision, he will not stop until he catches it.

Red fox habitats

This species of fox lives on almost the entire planet, except, perhaps, the Arctic tundra and islands. The red fox can be found throughout the Eurasian continent, North America, the northern part of the African continent and even in Australia.

Foxes are excellent swimmers. By the way, they can even dive shallowly when hunting for fish.

What does the red fox eat?

The fox is a predatory animal, so a variety of small animals can end up on its dinner table. Basically, these are rodents. Foxes also eat birds, fish (on spawning rivers), carrion, insects and berries.

The fox's hunting methods are very interesting; it can adapt to the habits of any animal that it has its eye on as food. For example, she can push a hedgehog straight into the water so that it turns around and can be grabbed by its abdomen, which has no needles. When hunting wild geese, foxes prefer to act in pairs: one distracts the flock, while the other sneaks up and attacks the prey in one jump. And she easily digs rodents out from under the snow, finding a place by sound. After all, it’s not for nothing that foxes are known as cunning animals - what kind of ways do they come up with to get food for themselves!

The fox “mouses” - hunts for a mouse under thick snow

Hunting takes place around the clock, although the most successful time is twilight.

In general, the fox can be called an omnivore. Its “menu” includes almost 400 species of various animals and dozens of types of plant foods. Scientists have concluded that the number of rodents (especially field mice) directly affects the population of red foxes, since mice are the main fox food.

Listen to the fox's voice

Many people know foxes as poultry stealers. Very often, a fox sneaks into the chickens' roosting area and steals them. Although birds are not considered the main food of the red fox, the animal often eats them. In addition to chickens, the fox loves the meat of wood grouse, geese and other birds.

Foxes living in deserts have to be content with the meat of reptiles. If there is a shallow river nearby with fish, then the fox will certainly come there to feast on, for example, salmon. During the summer months the animal eats beetles and other insects.

Plant food is of little interest to foxes, but in the absence of meat food, the fox will be happy with fruits and berries, as well as any greenery.

Reproduction and offspring

The period for the birth of puppies (as fox cubs are called) is mainly considered to be mid-spring. To breed, foxes dig a deep hole, but sometimes they can occupy someone else’s. Typically, one female gives birth to four to six cubs. Pregnancy lasts from 44 to 58 days. After birth, the mother feeds the offspring with milk for about 1.5 months. When the cubs turn 2 years old, they become fully grown individuals. Mature fox cubs are fed with live prey, and the fox cubs kill the “food” themselves.

Fox: description, structure, characteristics. What does a fox look like?

The fox is a predatory mammal that belongs to the canine family, that is, it is a distant relative of both the wolf and the domestic dog.

The size of a fox depends on its species and varies from 18 cm (for the smallest fox - fennec fox) to 90 cm. The weight of the fox also varies - from 0.7 to 10 kg. All foxes are distinguished by a special generic characteristic - an elongated muzzle, an elongated body, but with short limbs.

And every decent fox has a fluffy tail. This fluffy fox tail was not only created for beauty by nature, but also serves practical purposes: it acts as a stabilizer during running, and in the winter cold it can additionally warm its owner. The length of a fox's tail depends on its species, on average it is 40-60 cm.

The fox's hearing and sense of smell are well developed; these animals primarily rely on them during the hunt. As for vision, it is also well developed, moreover, it is adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle and allows you to see well in the dark. But the only drawback of a fox's vision is that it is not able to recognize colors. A fox has 42 teeth in its mouth, with the exception of the big-eared fox, which has as many as 48 teeth.

The fox's body is covered with red hair, the thickness of this hair depends on the type of fox and its habitat, and can also vary depending on the time of year. So, for example, in foxes living in harsh northern conditions, the fur becomes thick and lush in the winter, but in the summer the lushness of the fox’s fur decreases.

Where does the fox live?

Foxes live across a wide geographic range and can be found in the forests of Europe, Asia, North America, North Africa and even Australia. Foxes also live in our Ukrainian forests. Foxes often hide from human eyes in holes that they either dig themselves or do not hesitate to take them from other animals. They can also be found in caves and even large tree hollows.

What does a fox eat in the wild?

What does a fox eat in his forest? As we already wrote above, the fox is a predatory animal and its food is various smaller living creatures - various rodents (field mice, gophers), hares, birds nesting on the ground. The fox does not disdain carrion, as well as leftovers from other predators (wolves, bears), especially if this happens in winter, when catching fresh animals is more problematic.

Foxes living in steppe regions can also eat various large insects (beetles, termites, locusts) and frogs as food. If there is a river nearby, then the fox will not miss the opportunity to feast on fish. In the summer, the foxes' menu is varied with various fruits, berries, fruits, since, like bears, foxes are omnivores.

Interesting fact: while hunting, a fox can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour.

Fox lifestyle

Foxes are usually nocturnal, hiding in their burrows during the day and going out to hunt at night. This is facilitated by the peculiarity of their vision, which allows them to see perfectly at night.

Foxes, as a rule, live alone, sometimes in groups of two or three, and have their own territory, which they mark with their excrement.

How long does a fox live?

The average lifespan of a fox in natural conditions ranges from 3 to 10 years, although in a zoo a fox can live up to 25 years. This difference is due to the fact that older foxes cannot hunt as successfully in natural conditions.

Fox's enemies

In nature, the fox does not have many enemies; some danger may come from the same wolves and bears, but only if the fox inadvertently encroaches on their prey. And so, the main enemy of the fox (like many other animals) is the most dangerous predator - man. Many foxes were exterminated by hunters and poachers for their fluffy fur, which is subsequently used for fur coats.

Why is the fox cunning

Why is the fox called cunning? Some believe that this bad reputation is due to the hunting habits of these animals. The fact is that the fox always sneaks up on its prey very cunningly, it can patiently watch for hours in ambush near a hare’s hole, and when potential prey appears in sight, it also very deftly and lightning quickly grabs it with its teeth.

In addition, foxes are excellent at confusing their tracks and evading pursuit by abruptly changing the direction of movement; probably thanks to these skills and habits, the epithet “cunning” has been attached to the fox since ancient times.

Types of foxes, photos and names

There are several main types of foxes in nature, and below we will describe each of them in more detail.

She is also the red fox, the most popular and at the same time the largest representative of the fox family. The weight of the common fox reaches up to 10 kg, the body length including the tail is 150 cm. The color of the red fox, although red, can have many different shades depending on the place where the fox lives; a characteristic difference of this type of fox is the presence of a white tip on end of the tail and black ears on top. The common fox lives throughout Europe, Asia, northern Africa, North America, and Australia.

The American fox lives exclusively on the American continent in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is of medium size: its body length ranges from 37 to 50 cm. The back of this fox species is colored yellowish-gray. A characteristic feature of the American fox is the presence of a black tip on its tail.

Also known as the Bukhara fox, the Balochistan fox is a relatively small representative of its species, its length does not exceed 0.5 meters, and its weight varies from 1.5 to 3 kg. Among other foxes, the Afghan fox stands out for its large ears, up to 9 cm in height. The fur color of this fox is a rich brownish-gray color. It lives in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. Also found in Egypt, UAE, Turkmenistan.

The African fox is very similar in appearance to the common fox, the only thing is that it is several times smaller in size. Its total length does not exceed 70-75 cm, and its weight is on average 3.5-3.6 kg. Another difference from the common fox is the presence of longer legs and ears. Lives in many African countries.

It is also an Indian fox, usually of medium size, with a maximum length of 60 cm. The fur of the Bengal fox is short and smooth, and has a red-brown or sandy-brown color. It lives in India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Steppe fox (corsac fox)

This fox is also very similar to the common fox, but unlike it, it has an even more pointed muzzle, longer legs and wider ears. But they are smaller in size, body length is 0.5-0.6 m, and weight is 4-6 kg. It has a lighter coat color and a dark or dark brown tail tip. The steppe fox lives in many countries, from southeast Europe to Asia, including Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Azerbaijan.

This type of fox boasts wide ears and equally wide paws, which have special pads that protect the fox from the hot sand with thick fur. The pale brown color of the sand fox also serves as an excellent camouflage against the background of sand and stones where it lives. The dimensions of this fox are average - length is 89-90 cm, weight - 3.5-3.6 kg. The sand fox lives in the deserts of North Africa, from Morocco and Egypt to Somalia.

It has a brown or fiery red color on the back, turning into light gray on the sides. This fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau and is also found in India, Nepal and China. Its length is 60-70 cm, weight – up to 5 kg.

fennec

Fenech is notable for the fact that it is the smallest fox in the world, its body length is only 40 cm and its weight is up to 1.5 kg. Despite the smallest size in the fox kingdom, the fennec also has the largest ears among all foxes, their length reaches up to 15 cm. Fennecs, like sand foxes, live in the deserts of North Africa, and their paws also have special protective pads that protect their owners from hot on the sand there. I have a red color, the tip of their tail is black.

Despite the name, its ears are not as large as those of the fennec fox, however, the ears of this fox are disproportionately large and reach 13 cm. The big-eared fox has a gray-yellow color with white, yellow or brown spots. A characteristic feature of this species is the presence of as many as 48 teeth (all other foxes have only 42). This fox lives in Southern and Eastern Africa.

Fox breeding

How does a fox reproduce? Like their distant relatives, wolves, foxes are monogamous animals in which the mating season occurs at a certain period of the year. Its timing depends on the type of fox, but as a rule it lasts from December to March. To create offspring and train them, the male and female fox temporarily form a full-fledged pair.

The pregnancy of a female fox, depending on its species, lasts from 48 to 60 days, after which small fox cubs are born; in one litter there are from 4 to 16 babies, which, like kittens, are born blind and only subsequently their eyes appear.

For a month and a half after birth, the babies are breastfed, only after that, when their first teeth begin to erupt, the mother fox gradually begins to tame them to meat food, and then to its prey. To do this, the mother fox teaches them to hunt various small insects, beetles, and frogs. After a few months, the fox cubs already increase sharply in size, and after a year they completely leave their parents completely ready for independent life in the forest.

Sexual maturity in foxes occurs in the second year of life.

Fox at home: maintenance and care

If you are looking for extravagance, then instead of the usual ones or a dog, you can have a fox at home, it is only important to remember that the keeping of these animals has a number of rules:

• A fox's cage must be spacious so that it can make a den there.
• There must also be a drinking bowl in the cage so that the fox does not feel thirsty.
• You can and should train a fox, so it won’t get bored and can quickly become attached to its owners, like a dog, another distant relative.
• However, playing aggressively with a fox is not recommended; it may bite.
• In the summer, foxes can emit a very strong and unpleasant odor, simply put, stink, so they will need to be bathed at least once every two weeks.
• When keeping a fox at home, it is very important to have a good veterinarian who will regularly examine your unusual pet.

What to feed a fox at home

As for nutrition, foxes can be fed with dog food, although only the highest grade, chicken, beef or fish. In general, they are not very picky when it comes to nutrition.

• For some peoples in ancient times, it was fox skins that served as money.
• The fact that the fox is a frequent hero of many fairy tales is not news to anyone, but it is interesting that in ancient Mesopotamia it was revered as a sacred animal.
• In medieval Japan, the fox was sometimes considered a real werewolf.
• A fox's hearing is so strong that it can hear the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of 100 meters.
• You may be reading this article using the Mozilla Firefox browser, the symbol of which is our today’s heroine, the fox.

Fox, video

And in conclusion, an interesting documentary about foxes from the Animal planet channel.

The fox is one of the most beautiful predators. The color of the skin is red, the tail is long and fluffy, the muzzle is long and narrow, and the eyes are smart and cunning. The fox is the size of a small dog. The color of the red cheater varies from fiery red to gray. In the north, foxes are almost red, in the steppe they are gray-yellow. The silver fox, by the way, is also an ordinary fox with some deviations from normal coloring. Black-brown fur is considered the most beautiful. Therefore, silver foxes have been bred on farms for a long time.

The fox lives in Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. This animal adapts well to different climatic conditions. Southern foxes are smaller than northern ones, and besides, northern foxes have thicker and fluffier fur. The fox is an extremely dexterous and playful animal. She runs so fast that it is difficult for dogs to catch up with her. In addition, this is a very cunning animal: it can resort to various tricks, confusing its own tracks or obtaining food for itself.

What does a fox eat? How does a fox hunt?

The fox is an excellent hunter. In addition to observation and intelligence, she has excellent memory, a good sense of smell and remarkably acute hearing. The squeak of a vole, for example, can be heard by a fox 100 meters away. Being a predator, the fox eats a wide variety of animals. She happily eats mice, hares, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles, digs earthworms out of the ground after rain, and catches fish and crayfish in the river. But the red-haired rogue especially loves to feast on birds. That's why she often looks into chicken coops. By the way, the fox is not at all scared by the human neighborhood, so you can often find a fox hole very close to the village. The fox successfully supplements its meat diet with berries, apples, and vegetables.

Each fox has its own individual feeding area. She jealously protects it from the intrusion of strangers and always knows what is going on near her hole. The fox usually hunts in the evening and at night, although there are exceptions. Some animals prefer to bypass the bedding areas of hares during the day, hunt for birds, and feed exclusively on large game, neglecting mice or frogs.

Despite the fact that the fox will not miss the opportunity to feast on a gaping hare, catch a grouse or destroy a bird's nest, in the forest it brings much more benefit than harm. The main food of foxes remains voles, mice, gophers and other rodents that cause harm to agriculture. And growing fox cubs in large numbers destroy cockchafers - known pests in forest areas.

Mating season for foxes

The mating season for foxes begins in January - February. At this time, the female rushes in search of males, who declare their readiness to marry with a short, abrupt bark. During the rut, you can see an amazing group: a beautiful female runs in front, and several males follow her at once. Eventually, the patience of the males is exhausted, and the time comes to choose which of them is worthy to take a place next to the female. You can observe fierce fights between males, during which the fox patiently waits on the side of the winner. Only the strongest fox gets the right to mate with a female. At the end of the heat, the foxes scatter to the sides.

Fox cubs

Pregnancy in foxes lasts 51 - 52 days. By the end of this period, the males' paternal instinct awakens. They look for pregnant females and again fight with rival males, this time for the right to stay near the female. From now on, the winner takes upon himself all the hardships of family life: he helps dig a hole, feeds the fox at a time when she cannot yet leave the newborns, and shares with the female the responsibilities of raising young foxes. Fox cubs usually appear in late April or early May.

At first they are brown in color and very similar to puppies, but they all have a distinctive feature - the white tip of the tail. The young generation grows up quickly; by the 20th day of life they already begin to crawl out of the hole and feed not on mother’s milk, but on live food. It is not easy for the father of the family to feed his voracious cubs, so the female begins to help in obtaining food. Parents not only bring live mice, birds and small animals into the hole, but also begin to teach their kids the basics of hunting. At first, the fox cubs hunt for May beetles and grasshoppers, but gradually they become accustomed to preying on larger game: voles, lizards, and frogs.

Fox cubs grow quickly, and already in August they are difficult to distinguish from an adult animal from a distance. In November, young foxes begin an independent life and scatter in all directions.

Where does the fox live: habits of the fox. Fox holes

Foxes don't always live in holes. They use these dwellings only when raising offspring, and spend the rest of their time in the open. Foxes have practically no sense of home. They settle where they like, and even then not for long. The fox willingly digs holes near human dwellings; sometimes foxes even wander into big cities. A fox often does not want to dig a hole on its own and uses other people’s homes; for example, a fox greatly respects convenient holes dug by a badger.

A seasoned fox acquires burrows not only to raise offspring in them or to shelter from prolonged bad weather. Burrows often serve as refuge for them in case of danger.

An old fox, as usual, has not one hole where her brood is placed, but several at once, which provide her with a reliable shelter in exceptional cases.

Fox hatching holes are mainly located on the slopes of a ravine, not far from a stream, in the forest thicket, that is, where people usually do not wander. It happens that a fox returns from year to year to the hole she once dug. Then such “apartments” are constantly expanded, renovated, and acquire several additional “rooms,” which are usually located on 2-3 floors. Hunters are well acquainted with such holes and call them “centuries-old”.

Typically, a fox's hatching hole is equipped with several exits - holes, which allow it to quietly leave its shelter in case of danger. The main snout, which the fox regularly uses to enter and exit, is visible from afar. Usually this is a clean area, sprinkled with sand, which appeared here as a result of many years of cleaning the hole. Here you can often see fox cubs playing.

Shedding period for a fox

By the end of winter, the fox's coat, previously shiny and fluffy, begins to fade and becomes rough. The fox begins a period of molting - its hair falls out, and the animal loses its external attractiveness. Shedding occurs quite quickly, and by May the foxes acquire a new coat - a summer coat. If the fox is sick or thin, the molting period is extended, and then even in June you can see a fox with disheveled winter fur. Summer wool is not valued: it is coarse and sparse, since there is practically no undercoat - with the beginning of autumn the wool begins to thicken. And only with the onset of cold weather does fox fur begin to be considered full-fledged.

Fox hunting. How to hunt a fox

For a fox hunt to be successful, the hunter must learn about all the habits of this cunning animal. In addition, you need to learn how to untangle a fox track and distinguish it from a dog track. For an experienced tracker, a fox's track can tell a lot: about the age and gender of the fox that passed, where the animal was and what it was doing, whether it was hungry or full. The tracker reads the tracks like an open book, and this can only be learned through long training.

Compassion as a diagnosis.

Tell me, dear ones, what does compassion indicate? This event happened. Someone threw newborn kittens under the windows, in the heat, as planned, they did not die and screamed for almost a week...

The fox in Russian folk tales has become the personification of an evil mind. She is beautiful, seductive, eloquent, and can easily pretend to be defenseless and weak, manipulating others for her own gain. To achieve what she wants, the red-haired beast is ready to use all her trump cards - deception, deceit, fraud, seduction. In fairy tales, the fox acts as a negative character who, trying to outwit the positive hero, becomes a victim himself, paying for his meanness and hypocrisy.

Fox in Russian folk tales

Why is the fox credited with a sharp mind and resourcefulness?

The sly fox, like a character in fairy tales, appeared as a result of observations of this animal by ordinary people. These are mainly stories from hunters who personally saw the tricks of the red cheat. More than once she pretended to be dead in order to catch game. As a captive, she behaves similarly in order to weaken the hunter's vigilance and escape. She can fall when a weapon is fired, as if wounded, but when she is thrown among the rest of the prey, she will sneak away at any convenient moment. Even with serious wounds, the foxes managed to get out of the bag and run back into the forest. Since she is not endowed with special powers, she has to resort to cunning to survive.

And they often hunt for her, either because of her beautiful fur or because of her predatory activities. She herself is a good hunter - dexterous, cunning, silent. Its victims are hares, grasshoppers, mice, butterflies, fish, cockchafers, young roe deer, as well as poultry and eggs hatched by it. Due to the fact that she often climbs chicken coops, poultry owners dislike her. That is why among the people the fox acquired the image of a clever villainess-thief.

Nicknames of foxes in fairy tales

In fairy tales, the fox is portrayed as a real beauty because of her luxurious red fur coat. And, despite the character’s negativity, they are often affectionately called “gossip” or “sister”. She has similar family ties with another anti-hero of fairy tales - the wolf and other animals, which she can still fool. There is another prerequisite for this nickname - a sly female image that was found among the people. A cunning and sharp-tongued gossip or neighbor who was in every village, capable of sweetening the interlocutor and achieving her selfish goals.

In one of the Russian fairy tales, the fox is even given a name - Patrikeevna. But it is not in honor of the woman, but in honor of the governor of Novgorod, Prince Patrikey Narimantovich. He became famous among the people as a cunning and unscrupulous manager, manipulating people and making money in dishonest ways.

The image of a fox from folk tales

In each of the fairy tales, specific features of the fox are highlighted. It's rare that she's the victim. Basically he is a skilled deceiver and swindler:

• "The Fox and the Crane" displays duplicity - external benevolence and hospitality, hiding indifference to other people's needs and calculation;
• "Sister Fox and the Wolf" shows the adventurism of the villainess, her penchant for mischief and ridicule, hypocrisy even with her brothers;
• "Fox - Confessor"- the image of the red-haired heroine personifies deceit and vindictiveness;
• "Cockerel is a golden comb" And "Kolobok"- the heroine deceives naive, good-natured characters for her own selfish purposes;
• "Fox with a rolling pin"- reveals the image of a fraudulent fox, greedy and dishonest;
• "The Fox and the Black Grouse" shows the main traits of the character - flattery and deception, hypocrisy;
• "Snow Maiden and Fox"- one of the few fairy tales where the animal character is positive. Here she shows kindness and altruism by helping the Snow Maiden.

The people in fairy tales demonstrated a negative attitude not towards the animal itself, but towards the qualities that it symbolizes.

As children, we all listened to fairy tales about an unusually smart and cunning animal. The fox is indeed distinguished by its resourcefulness and natural ingenuity, which allows it to quickly find prey and hide from its pursuers. Famous owners of fluffy tails have been able to settle in almost any natural area. The fox is a common predator of forests, steppes, mountains and deserts. It would seem that everyone knows everything about this mammal. However, starting our story, we see that our description of the fox is quite stereotypical and is based on a folklore image. Even this world-famous beast has its secrets.

Fox classification

Fox is the common name of a genus from the wolf subfamily, which unites 11 species. Its structure is sometimes disputed by adding or excluding certain species. For example, they are classified in this genus because of the similarity in appearance of the Arctic fox. Until now, many zoologists cannot decide which family the polar fox belongs to. While this beast occupies a position outside of a certain clan. The following species are considered true foxes:

• common fox;
• Afghan fox;
• Bengal fox;
• American fox;
• American corsac;
• African fox;
• corsac;
• South African fox;
• sand fox;
• fennec;
• Tibetan fox.

The closest relatives of foxes are the following genera:

• arctic foxes (arctic fox);
• maikongi (maikong or savannah fox);
• bat-eared foxes (big-eared fox);
• gray foxes (island and gray foxes);
• small foxes (small fox);
• South American foxes (Securan, Paraguayan, Andean, Brazilian, Darwin and South American foxes);

Despite the stunning external resemblance, the maned wolf is not a fox wolf. This unusual animal is a relict species that managed to survive the extinction of most of its former society.

Where does the fox live? Habitat

Nature has rewarded foxes with the ability to adapt to a wide variety of natural conditions. These mammals were able to confidently spread to almost all continents, with the exception of South America and the harsh Antarctica. The habitat chosen by different types of foxes includes:

• North America, as well as some islands near the mainland (American corsac fox, arctic fox, red fox, island fox, gray fox);
• South America (Maikong, Securan, Brazilian, Paraguayan, Darwin, South American, Little and Andean foxes);
• the entire territory of Eurasia (Arctic fox, corsac fox, common fox, Tibetan fox, sand fox, Bengal fox (from India), Afghan (Bukhara) fox);
• the coast of Africa and the Nile Valley (fennec fox, red fox, big-eared fox, South African fox, African sand fox);
• Southern Australia (red fox).

The wide coverage of territories explains the great diversity of species of these mammals and the huge number of adaptations for survival.

Many people mistakenly believe that all types of foxes live exclusively in European and Siberian forests. Only a few species of these animals settled there. Foxes are sedentary animals and try to choose a suitable place to live. They carefully examine the corner they like, remembering the location of ravines, holes, rivers and hills in order to profitably use them for shelters. The red fox hides well from its enemies, confusing and covering its tracks, suddenly disappearing right in front of its enemy's nose. For such extraordinary ingenuity, the talented strategist received the title of cunning and intelligent beast.

In the dry steppes of Asia, in hilly areas with low vegetation, you can find deep burrows left by badgers and other animals favored by a cunning predator. The steppe fox does not like when its peace is disturbed, so it fiercely guards its temporary possessions. Due to the arid climate, these animals have to constantly migrate. The steppe fox, or corsac, travels from the Volga delta and the Caucasus to the mountains of Western Siberia. Very rarely they move away from their usual anchorage. Sometimes these cunning animals also enter the forest-steppe, where the common fox gives them tough competition, often capturing prey from a smaller relative.

Mountain foxes

Mountain foxes are inhabitants of harsh rocks. Their diet and lifestyle depend on the altitude of their “living zone”. For example, the Crimean mountain fox builds abandoned burrows, holes in rocks and stones, caves and even tree hollows. This diversity is due to the fact that the Tauride Mountains, covered with forest, are quite low with a warm climate. The Tibetan fox lives on the high Tibetan plateau and is sometimes found in areas north of the Himalayas. These animals dig their own homes and lead an extremely secretive lifestyle. Scientists still don’t know exactly how long highland foxes live and what they eat.

In semi-deserts and deserts the conditions are truly extreme! All inhabitants of this dry and hot area will need to collect all the devices that nature has given them in order to survive. The sandy area without a single hint of vegetation and coolness does not allow the spread of large herbivores and rodents. That is why only a miniature eared fox, for example, can live here. These animals settle near small dry bushes or in a tiny clearing of sparse grass where they make burrows. In their shelters they wait for the night. What the fennec fox eats lives right next to the mink. The animal pulls roots out of the sand and hunts small rodents, reptiles and insects.

In the far north, in the land of eternal snow, furry cunning creatures also live. The polar fox even inhabited the territory on the islands in the Arctic Ocean. The usual natural areas for arctic foxes are tundra and forest-tundra. The polar fox settles in hilly areas where shelter and food can be easily found. Arctic foxes are distributed from Alaska to Chukotka. These animals thrive in icy Greenland and on other islands abandoned in cold waters. As the weather gets colder, Arctic foxes move south, temporarily settling in new places.

Foxes are incredibly beautiful animals to which songs, poems, fables and even paintings have been dedicated. Depending on their habitat, these predators acquire unusual appearance features compared to the usual forest beauties.

The fox got its poetic name for its coat painted in gold. The Slavs always observed the inhabitants of the forest, noticing any distinctive details of appearance, behavior or even voice. Translated from Old Church Slavonic, “fox” meant “yellowish.” That’s why cheerful red mushrooms are called “chanterelles.”

There is another version of the interpretation of the word. A number of etymologists believe that “fox” is derived from the Slavic “lis” (wife, spouse). This theory is also explained in different ways: some explain that some species of these predators create monogamous pairs and raise cubs together, others suggest that this is what cunning wives were called. There is a third assumption. The word "fox" comes from the Polish "liszka" (dashing). Thus, the mischievous nature of the animal is noticed.

All foxes have a fluffy long tail, which not only decorates the animal, but also serves as a useful adaptation for survival. It allows you to develop greater speed when running, being a special pole for balance. The tail also serves as an effective rudder. When a predator (for example, a dog) is chasing a red-haired rogue and is about to grab it, the fluffy train turns sharply at a right angle and the animal instantly turns to the side. The pursuer rushes on in bewilderment.

Many have probably wondered: “Why do foxes have a white tip of their tail?” The answer is quite simple. A fox in the forest must constantly monitor its cubs. In order not to lose sight of the little ones among the foliage, a white beacon was created, which every little one cheerfully raises for mom.

The fox stores some nutrients in its tail for a rainy day. This fluffy tool also serves as a blanket for the animal. In cold weather, the fox covers its nose or cubs with its tail. Animals can even communicate using this body part! When raised, it shows the strength of the beast and its readiness to defend territory and prey.

Did you know that a fox's tail smells like violets? Right at its base there is a fairly large gland that produces the aroma of flowers. This is the perfect camouflage device! When escaping from pursuit, a fox in the forest covers its tracks and hides its scent.

How much does a fox weigh?

Depending on the species, foxes can reach lengths from 40 cm to 90 cm. The length of the tail of an adult individual ranges from 20 to 60 cm. And the weight is from 1.5 to 14 kg.

The eyes of a fox are one of the animal's main weapons when hunting. Vision is tuned to moving objects, which allows you to instantly notice potential prey. Even a butterfly flying past will not be able to hide from a clever predator. Also, all types of foxes are perfectly oriented in the dark, since it is at night that animals go hunting. Not a single bird sleeping peacefully on the ground or in the thickets will go unnoticed.

Foxes have excellent visual memory. This allows predators to remember places of refuge and paths. This ability is very important for survival in the harsh conditions of the wild.

The condition of an animal’s fur coat must be acceptable for normal existence in a certain area. All types of foxes are carefully prepared for the environmental conditions in which they will live.

In summer, the coat color of these predators is camouflage. Neither you nor the small animals will notice the approach of the fox. In the north, arctic foxes are dressed in white fur that blends with the snow. In the mountains, where rocks and poor soil combine, foxes camouflage themselves in spotted (gray with ocher) coats. Residents of dry deserts naturally received yellow or light ocher fur. In the forest, the common fox with its dull red robe hides well against the background of branches, earth and fallen leaves.

Until now, scientists have not figured out why the fur of these predators does not adapt in color to other seasons. The fact is that many types of foxes become brighter with the onset of winter. Red, brown and black animals stand out against the background of white snow, which, oddly enough, does not affect the efficiency of hunting.

However, depending on the temperature, the structure of the fox's coat changes. The animal adapts to nature. In summer, the fox's fur is sparse, dull, without undercoat, and lies tightly to the body. This makes it much easier to keep your body cool. In winter, after seasonal molting, foxes dress in thick clothes. The thick undercoat prevents heat from escaping and keeps you warm, like a down jacket. The upper fibers are impregnated with a special secretion that prevents the predator from getting wet (foxes often fall asleep in the snow).

All foxes are natural hunters. These animals easily get food wherever they live. What a fox eats depends on the area in which it lives, the time of year and the type of animal. It is also worth paying attention to the age of the predator: young animals are afraid to attack large prey.

A small sand fox in deserts and semi-deserts can easily smell edible roots, hear the movements of lizards, tasty beetles and their larvae, scorpions under the ground, and skillfully attack a gaping rodent. The animal obtains moisture directly from its meager diet.

There is not much suitable food in the north. However, the polar fox was able to adapt to the harsh nature. The animal’s diet includes more than a hundred species of animals and almost 30 species of plants: algae, blueberries, herbs and cloudberries! Everything that the fox can find, she will immediately eat or hide. The polar fox's diet consists of many species of small rodents (for example, lemmings) and birds common in the taiga. Sometimes arctic foxes catch or find fish on the shore and overwhelm stray reindeer calves. Polar foxes do not mind carrion, so they form the retinue of the polar bear, which often shares part of the seal carcass with the small predator.

Almost everyone knows what the common fox eats. The favorite delicacy of this predator is small mice, which in winter become the main source of food. The common fox also eats hares, but hunting them requires a lot of energy. The predator often raids the homes of these animals, eating the cubs. A cunning fox will not refuse to climb into the nest of some bird to feast on eggs and chicks. The animal will also enjoy eating berries, fruits and herbs.

Contrary to popular belief, foxes rarely attack chickens and other poultry. The animal decides to do such an act only in a critical situation, when it is difficult to get food in the forest. The predator often spoils cereal crops, which it eats in an unripe state.

Steppe foxes hunt a wide variety of lizards, snakes and turtles. They will not refuse to eat a toad or a frog. Corsac foxes are excellent at catching rodents (their favorite foods are gophers, jerboas, voles), hares and birds. Sometimes this predator attacks a baby saiga. This happens extremely rarely: the corsac fox is a rather cowardly animal.

In the mountains, it is difficult for the severe Tibetan fox to obtain food. Finding anything edible on the rocks is already a difficult task. The basis of the diet of a skilled predator is dexterous rodents, pikas. The fox runs after them along the cliffs, driving them into traps, or waits at their shelters. But that's not all the fox eats. The beast catches mountain hares and birds, climbs into nests and destroys them, feasts on insects and reptiles. When a cunning animal finds berries suitable for food, it will eat them with pleasure. The Tibetan fox does not mind eating carrion.

What a fox eats also determines seasonality. For example, during salmon spawning, many predators stop hunting. There is enough dying fish to last everyone for several months.

Fox sounds

Everyone is interested in the sound foxes make when communicating. If you watch these animals, you will be pleasantly amazed at how rich their supply of signals is. Every fox sound is reserved for special occasions and situations. Different species have their own voice timbre and language.

The common fox is unusually talkative. The mother constantly communicates with her cubs using a kind of loud purring, interested in their well-being. If any fox cub moves too far or gets carried away with a dangerous activity, the mother will shout out to the unlucky baby with a loud yelp. Sometimes these cunning animals talk to their friends, snorting slightly. A warning of danger will be a heart-rending short cry, reminiscent of a loud “car”.

They live in families and do not like to communicate with other brothers. In general, these mini predators have a rather nasty character, so the appearance of a stranger in their domain is accompanied by nervous, offended chirping and hissing. With friends, little foxes can howl, whine and bark!

Large foxes that live in harsh conditions, such as corsacs, “talk” in a very low voice. These predators live alone and occasionally exchange growls and guttural sounds.

Fox breeding

Female foxes reach sexual maturity at two years of age. Smaller species - much earlier, by 9-12 months. On average, an animal can have offspring for up to 6-7 years. For males, everything is arranged somewhat differently. They mature by the age of one year. It is young foxes who are especially willing to participate in matchmaking.

The time of mating games is distributed differently for each species of fox, depending on certain factors of the habitat (weather conditions, enemies, landscape, amount of food). Animals calculate the time so that the babies appear during the warm period, when there is plenty of food. As a rule, foxes breed in the middle or end of winter.

Foxes are very smart animals. If animals see and feel that their future family may be in danger (lack of food, emergencies, epidemic, cold snap), they postpone the breeding period for 2-3 months.

In the bitter cold, foxes begin their beautiful matchmaking ritual. Males sing a long song to attract a bride. Sometimes several suitors start fights for the lady they like, who stands on the sidelines throughout the fight and watches what is happening. Having waited for the winner, the female approaches her hero. A pair of foxes folds up. For a long time, these two will frolic: roll in the snow, play tag, “dance” while standing on their hind legs, playfully bite each other’s ears and jostle merrily. Then the foxes go into one of the holes.

Monogamy is a common trait for many species of these predators. The fox often chooses a partner for life. It is very important for animals to stick together. In a difficult situation, such life saves the family. Corsacs, fennec foxes, Bengal and Indian foxes are loyal to their mates. They take turns hunting and cleaning holes. But the red fox enters into temporary marriages (they last no more than a year and a half).

Pregnancy in these animals lasts 48-60 days, depending on the size of the animal and its habitat. The number of cubs in a litter is directly related to the amount of food. In times of famine, the fox does not start a large family. Cubs are born one or two at a time. Many brides never find grooms. And in prosperous years, each fox gives birth to from four to sixteen blind, deaf and toothless puppies.

Types of foxes

Foxes are distributed throughout the globe. The organisms of these animals are ideally adapted to various natural zones. Let's look at the most interesting types of foxes.

Arctic foxes rightfully bear the title of polar explorers. These snow-white foxes live both in the taiga and far beyond the Arctic Circle. Mischievous animals are able to withstand very low temperatures thanks to their thick fur with a dense waterproof undercoat. In such suitable clothes you will not freeze, and you will be well camouflaged in the white snow! Snowshoe paws save the Arctic fox. The beast does not fall through when running in the snow.

Arctic foxes have perfectly adapted to the cold. They easily tolerate frost of -50 degrees. The rounded body shape minimizes heat loss. Scientists have found that the polar fox begins to tremble only when the temperature reaches -70 degrees!

The Arctic fox is a typical predator of the tundra, subarctic and arctic natural zones. In summer, these animals live sedentary, occupying old burrows, and in winter they go wandering. Arctic foxes often accompany polar bears, who share part of the prey with them. During migration, northern animals go far beyond the Arctic Circle. Sometimes the arctic fox travels 4,500 kilometers in a few months! It's amazing that animals easily find their way home.

There are two subspecies of the Arctic fox: white and blue. It all depends on the color of the coat. The fur coat of polar foxes is ideal for camouflage. In winter these animals are white, and in summer they are black or brown.

In places where snow alternates with earth, arctic foxes are found with a spotted color that perfectly camouflages the predator.

Arctic foxes feed on various small rodents (for example, lemmings), fish, birds, eggs, and seal carcasses. Arctic foxes have the most developed hearing and vision compared to other canids. The animal can hear the movement of a lemming under the snow several kilometers away.

Arctic foxes live in families, which include a pair with small cubs and a previous litter.

The polar fox takes root well at home. If you raise them from childhood, their behavior will resemble cats and dogs.

In the dry desert there is a cute mini predator. The fox is considered the tiniest representative of the canids. Its dimensions are no more than 40 centimeters in length (with a tail - up to 80 centimeters).

The hardy animal got its unusual name from the colloquial Arabic word “fanak”, which means fox. Fennecs live in northern Africa in desert and semi-desert zones. The dwarf fox has adapted perfectly to these conditions. Thick fur grows on the pads of fennec's paws, allowing them to walk calmly on the scorching sand. Large, outstretched ears are not only able to hear the slightest rustle of prey in the sand (small vertebrates and insects), but also increase blood circulation in the body, which allows it to cool down.

They live in families in deep underground burrows that they build themselves. The number of one clan rarely exceeds 10 individuals. Males fiercely defend their territory from strangers.

Tibetan foxes are also medium-sized animals (body size without a tail is 60 centimeters, with a tail – up to 130 centimeters). They live on inaccessible rocks of Tibet and the Himalayas, where they dig holes or find suitable cavities under stones.

Foxes hunt in pairs. Each spouse shares his spoils. Tibetan foxes feed on pikas and other rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, insects and berries.

Tibetan foxes don't mind their neighbors. Many pairs live and hunt in the same territory.

Big-eared foxes live on the southeast coast of Africa in the savannas. They thrive in hot climates. Outwardly, these small animals look just like an ordinary fox, only with very large ears.

When searching for food, predators rely on their keen hearing. The eared fox often accompanies herds of antelope, where it finds scarabs and other tasty insects.

The animals are monogamous, but sometimes form triads (one male and two females). Each family member hunts alone. Animals settle in dug holes and ruined termite mounds.

The red-haired beauty, familiar to everyone, settled throughout Eurasia, North America, Australia and some areas of Africa. Such a wide distribution causes many variations in color and size of the predator. Among the fiery red brothers there is even a black fox (silver fox).

The color variability of these animals is greatly appreciated by people. A fox at home acquires a more saturated shade of fur.

Foxes hunt alone. Their prey includes small and medium-sized rodents, hares, birds, lizards, frogs, snakes, turtles, fish and insects. In winter, food becomes significantly less. The common fox uses all its skills to catch agile rodents under the snow. This method is called "mousing".

Enemies of foxes in the wild

Since ancient times, foxes have been known as cunning and cautious animals. They had such qualities for a reason. Foxes have many enemies from which they need to somehow escape.

Some animals deliberately attack tailed animals. Among the enemies of foxes:

Eagle owls, crows and hawks also attack the cubs of red predators.

Recently, keeping a fox at home as a pet has become possible. Many people were able to fulfill their childhood dream and make an unusual friend.

Taming of cunning animals began in 1959. Enterprising breeders have developed different breeds of foxes. However, wild instincts are not so easy to bring out. If you want to have a cute pet fox, you need to be on your guard. Without training, an animal can harm humans, other pets and interior items.

A fox at home is a fairly friendly animal. He will be happy to play with you and other pets. This predator is very easy to train. You can teach him a funny trick.

When choosing an exotic pet, it is worth considering what lifestyle the animal is accustomed to. For example, the popular ornamental fox, the fennec fox, is active at night. Sometimes such details can make a person's life difficult.

Do not forget that a fox at home needs some care. The animal can sleep in a spacious enclosure or on a large bedding. The animal needs to be brushed and bathed regularly. Foxes should be taken for walks on a leash.

The Canadian marble fox is considered one of the most popular pets. A beautiful black, gray and white fur coat attracts the eye and literally makes you fall in love.

Decorative fox

– a very active and nimble animal. His cute appearance attracts glances: it’s impossible not to fall in love with his big ears and black beady eyes!

The size of the animal is very modest: with a body length of about 40 centimeters, the animal weighs 1.5-2 kilograms. Fennecs are distinguished by their cunning and slightly capricious character, although they get along well with humans and cats. They don’t mind playing with their friends (for example, hide and seek or tag).

Ornamental chanterelles are very difficult to tolerate temperature changes (especially cold snaps). Fennecs feel comfortable in well-heated rooms.

Mini foxes need to be combed regularly. Use soft bristle brushes or small fine-toothed combs for this procedure. Fennec himself really likes this type of fur care.

You can use a litter box for desert foxes as a litter box. Fennecs are very smart, so they quickly understand what this item is for.

What to feed a fox at home?

The fox is an exotic pet, so you won’t be able to buy special food in the store. It is worth trying to include in your animal’s food what it eats in the wild.

These furry cunning creatures adapt well to the new diet, as they are almost omnivorous. The basis of a chanterelle's diet should be processed meat (boiled or steamed). The animal's diet can include fruits, vegetables, berries, insects, and raw eggs. It is very important to supplement the animal’s menu with meat by-products: soft cartilage, trachea, bird spleen, offal, liver, beef tripe, heart. Do not feed your chanterelle bones or raw, unpeeled fish - this can lead to digestive problems.

These animals are canines, so if it is not possible to feed them natural food, you can switch to universal dog food. With this option, it is still necessary to occasionally reinforce the predator’s body with vegetables, meat and protein.

How long does a fox live?

The lifespan of foxes is almost the same as that of wild dogs and wolves. The natural conditions in their habitat are quite harsh, so not all animals manage to reach adulthood.

In nature, how long a fox lives determines the amount of food, the presence of epidemics, and the number of enemies in the territory. In the wild, the animal rarely reaches the age of six. The average lifespan of a predator is 2–5 years. The animal constantly spends energy searching for prey and surviving.

However, a fox at home or in a zoo remains in excellent health for twenty years! Even at a respectful age, these animals remained cheerful and playful.

How long foxes live in captivity is also determined by the fact that any disease can be cured. Wild predators often die from various ailments.

• All foxes are wonderful parents. Unlike many predators, both father and mother are equally involved in raising, protecting and feeding the young. Foxes look after their pregnant wives by biting their fleas, licking them, and bringing food to their shelter. Parents together teach their kids to hunt small prey: lizards, insects, birds.
• The amazing tail of foxes was popularly called a trumpet due to its interesting shape. Many people were touched by how these little predators proudly raised their useful tool. It was from the humorous name that the expression “pipe tail” came from.
• You all probably know about the fearless hero Zorro. Defender of the weak, a noble robber, whose face is hidden by a black mask, has become the idol of many people. Translated from Spanish, “zorro” means “fox”. Perhaps it was precisely for the dexterity and ingenuity of the red predators that this hero received such a name.
• The fox is a frequent guest in the mythologies and folklore of different nations. In Japan, due to its cunning, this animal is considered the personification of confusion and pranks. Residents of the eastern country nicknamed the sudden downpour in the middle of a sunny day “fox rain.” The Japanese often identify strange phenomena with the antics of fluffy tails. Will-o'-the-wisps in swamps are also called "fox lights". It is believed that the beast plays tricks on travelers, trying to scare them.
• The common fox has a gorgeous tail, the main decoration of which is the bright white tip. And he appears immediately. Newborn puppies, which do not yet have teeth and their eyes are not open, already have a light triangle. There is a legend that once upon a time foxes had completely red tails, and when running they did not rise, but dragged along the ground. Over time, the color on the tip has worn off. The common fox, in order not to spoil its fur coat, began to raise its tail. Now the white tip is inherited by all foxes.

The polar fox occupies homes that have belonged to many generations of animals. The age of such burrows can exceed 150 years, the number of passages can be more than a hundred, and the area of ​​underground labyrinths can be several square kilometers!