The red fox is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America and the steppes of Asia.
Similar species: Carnivorans
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Uploaded Dec 16, 2015. Captured Jul 15, 2013 04:17 in Stewart-Cassiar Hwy, Atlin, BC V0W, Canada.
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The stunning red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with its bushy tail, dog-like features, and cat-like behaviors is the most widely distributed carnivore in the world. They live on every continent, except Antarctica, and thrive in urban and rural areas.
Not only are foxes cute, but they are also incredibly fascinating due to their many adaptations and awesome creature features!
1. Agility: Foxes are light on their feet and incredibly nimble. They can run over 30 mph and jump nearly two meters high. Plus, they can swim.
2. Red foxes have a built-in blanket: Their tails make up 70% of their body length! They use their tails for balance and as a warm blanket on chilly nights.
3. It pays to advertise: Red fox relationships are complicated, yet simple. They are sometimes monogamous, but often polygamous. But, regardless of their proclivities, they have a one-track mind during mating season. Well, the males do, at least. As a female approaches estrus, a male will follow her everywhere, urinating on everything, and showing no interest in food. This is the male’s not-so-subtle way of advertising his interest in mating with her.
4. For a member of the dog family, red foxes have a lot in common with cats: Like cats, foxes are mostly nocturnal and have vertical pupils, which allow them to see in low light. And, they stalk their prey with an elegant stride and pounce like a feline!
5. Foxes use the Earth’s magnetic field to locate prey under the snow: they see the earth's magnetic field as a "ring of shadow" on their eyes, which darkens when the fox faces magnetic north. When this shadow and the sound of prey line up, they pounce—diving headfirst into the snow to capture prey.
6. They have unique “table” manners: Red foxes don’t chew their food; rather, they use their carnassial teeth to cut meat up into bite size chunks before swallowing.
7. They could probably hear a pin drop: Red foxes have incredible hearing! They can hear the squeak of a mouse from a distance of 100 meters!
{Spotted in Canada by Pamswildimages} #JungleDragon
Posted 5 years ago