Biological Classifications
Kingdom-Animalia
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ImagesA red fox's ears and nose
Note the red fox's leg size compared to its body, the color of the tip of its tail, and its muzzle (between head and front legs)
A red fox skull
Note the bushy, fluffy, adorable-looking tail
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Life Span
The red fox lives two to five years in the wild, and five years in captivity.
Symbiotic Relationships
The only symbiotic relationship that the red fox is associated with is the intestinal flora.
Life Cycle
During the later months of the year, typically November to January, red foxes will start mating. Immediately after mating, the female (vixen) and the male (dog) makes one or more dens, which are always close to a source of water. The extras dens will be used if the original den is disturbed or destroyed.
A little less than two months later, up to thirteen yipping, squealing fox kits are born into the world. The kits are born blind with black fur. Shockingly, they will only stay under their mother's protection for two days. Although the kits mainly depend on their mother's milk, both the vixen and her babies also depend on the dog, who brings back prey, specifically rodents. After the first month, the fox kits will start playing outside. Also, around this time, the vixen feeds her kits regurgitated meat. The dog also brings home live prey for the kits to "play with", and eventually eat, as this will help them develop their hunting skills.
However, one last major event still occurs. When the kits grow teeth, how do they try them out? Bite firmer food? Try to crush rocks to pebbles? Those are all wrong. The kits use their teeth on their siblings, fighting and tackling each other until one victor emerges. This victor is the "boss kit", and this title has its benefits. The "boss kit" will always get the most food and eats first. Finally, the growing foxes part from their parents at seven months old, letting them roam the lands and raise a family on their own.
A little less than two months later, up to thirteen yipping, squealing fox kits are born into the world. The kits are born blind with black fur. Shockingly, they will only stay under their mother's protection for two days. Although the kits mainly depend on their mother's milk, both the vixen and her babies also depend on the dog, who brings back prey, specifically rodents. After the first month, the fox kits will start playing outside. Also, around this time, the vixen feeds her kits regurgitated meat. The dog also brings home live prey for the kits to "play with", and eventually eat, as this will help them develop their hunting skills.
However, one last major event still occurs. When the kits grow teeth, how do they try them out? Bite firmer food? Try to crush rocks to pebbles? Those are all wrong. The kits use their teeth on their siblings, fighting and tackling each other until one victor emerges. This victor is the "boss kit", and this title has its benefits. The "boss kit" will always get the most food and eats first. Finally, the growing foxes part from their parents at seven months old, letting them roam the lands and raise a family on their own.
Preferred Living Conditions
- Red foxes must have all of their dens near a body of fresh water.
- Likes to live in flat lands, which is 3/4 of Australia, which is also why red foxes inhabit 3/4 of Australia.
Diet
- ⅓ of its diet is livestock, like chickens, sheep, and goats
- ⅓ of its diet are pest vertebrates like rabbits and mice
- ⅓ of its diet is wildlife, fruits, berries, and grasses