It seems thanks folk tales We know everything about the fox. She is the first raider in the world to capture a bast hare hut only because it was too cold for her to spend the winter in the icy one. She is an unreliable business partner that even a straightforward, ingenuous wolf should not mess with. She is so cunning that she can get out of any sticky situation, especially one that would threaten her life or her red fluffy tail.

In the folklore of many peoples of the world, she is given the status of “anti-hero,” and even the famous medieval “Roman of the Fox,” in which Renard the Fox looks very attractive against the background of the characters opposing him, could not shake this opinion.

Naturally, the answer to the question of what a fox eats is assumed to be unequivocal: the sphere of its gastronomic interests is defenseless bunnies, bunnies that so carelessly escaped from their owners, chickens that we did not have time to keep track of for some reason... And we, like the presenters popular American TV show “MythBusters”, let’s now try to find out how much of a “fairy tale is a lie” and what percentage of hints are in it. Moreover, in Lately keeping foxes at home is becoming fashionable, and naturally, their owners are very interested in the issue of feeding their red pets.

But, as usual, let's start in order and a little from afar.

According to science...

If we turn to scientists for primary general information, we will be quite surprised to learn about disagreements in determining which animals can be classified as foxes. They will tell us that in general the word “fox” refers to mammals of the canine family, and they will add that zoologists classify only ten species as belonging to this genus. However, the existing classification consists of at least 22 species. Thus, we can draw an intermediate conclusion that the fox’s nutrition directly depends on two factors: where it lives and what species it belongs to.

The most famous and widespread representative of foxes, which will mainly be discussed, is the common fox. It is distributed over most of the land - both in the Russian forest and in the Canadian tundra, and in arid areas North Asia and on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. Throughout the territory inhabited by it, there are more than 40 subspecies, not counting those that are artificially raised in captivity for the sake of obtaining fur. But they differ from each other rather in formal features, rather than essential.

What does it eat?

When it comes to nutrition, the fox shows amazing omnivorousness. Despite the fact that she is a predator to such an extent that in winter she will not disdain even carrion, her menu also includes a number of plants. The main component of her diet in wildlife, especially in winter, these are small rodents: voles, steppe pieds, mole voles, lemmings, muskrats. There is even a special type of hunting for them - mowing - unique to the fox and consists of the following: having smelled a rodent under the snow, it first “listens” to it, then, after waiting a moment, dives under the snow or scatters it with its paws, trying to grab its prey. The importance of voles for the fox is so great that its population even directly depends on their numbers.

The popular belief that foxes eat hares is not entirely true. Usually foxes neglect them due to the difference in size, although there are examples when they actually hunt hares and eat the corpses of adult hares. Large foxes can also prey on roe deer cubs. A fox will not pass by a bird that finds itself on the ground; it can even feast on a large bird like a capercaillie, destroy a nest with eggs, or eat chicks. The statement that the fox eats chickens and other poultry is also not entirely true. Of course, if she has settled not far from the dwelling, she will not fail to raid the chicken coop, but she will not do this as often as is commonly thought - mainly during periods of feeding fox cubs. However, this danger can be minimized by taking certain safety measures in relation to your chickens. A much more terrible enemy for chickens is the marten.

The further south the fox’s habitat, the more sophisticated and unusual its diet. In deserts and semi-desert areas, the fox feeds on various reptiles. Foxes living near rivers (particularly in Canada) feed on dead salmon. In the summer, her gastronomic preferences include insects - beetles and grasshoppers. Finally, the very plants that we mentioned at the beginning, and their fruits, fruits and berries, are part of the fox menu in the south.

As for representatives of other fox species, they basically feed on the same things as the common fox. Differences in food are dictated by the habitat and are more cognitive than fundamental, representing a change in the proportion of certain foods. We will talk about these features now.

1. The American corsac's menu consists of rodents, rabbits, birds that nest on the ground, small reptiles and fruits. In winter, he will not pass by carrion, and in summer - by insects (beetles, grasshoppers and locusts), which can make up up to half of his entire diet.
2. The Afghan fox is more herbivorous than other species. In addition to desert and semi-desert flora and plants of mountainous areas, where it mainly lives, the fox also feeds on insects, including locusts, and small rodents. It also feasts on melons and melons - in those areas where they are grown, it can be found quite often.
3. The African fox is the most herbivorous of all foxes; it also prefers berries and fruits. Occasionally, she can diversify her lunch with rodents, lizards and invertebrates.
4. The Bengal fox eats small animals, insects, reptiles, beetles, bird eggs and only occasionally fruits.
5. gastronomic interests of the corsac dog ( steppe fox) coincide with the preferences of the common fox, so for each other they are food competitors and enemies. The only differences in their menu are that the corsac can occasionally hunt gophers, hedgehogs and hares - both adults and cubs - and that it is almost not interested in plants and fruits.
6. The sand fox eats almost the same things as the Afghan fox.
7. The main role in the diet of the Tibetan fox is played by pikas - small animals that look like hamsters. In addition to them, it also feeds on other related animals - hares, rodents - as well as birds that nest on the ground and their eggs. May also eat berries, insects and small reptiles.
8. Fenech, living in the deserts of the northern and central part of the African continent, is one of the most omnivorous representatives of the foxes. He has to dig up a significant part of the food - and these are small animals, eggs, various insects, locusts, carrion, fruits and plant roots. Makes it easier for him to get food big ears, capable of detecting the smallest rustle produced by its potential victims.
9. To omnivorous species This also includes the South African fox, which feeds on small animals and fruits.
10. arctic fox, also called polar fox, is also omnivorous due to its habitat. His behavior can serve as an excellent illustration of the saying “Hunger won’t give you a pie.” Its diet, like that of many species, is based on rodents - most often lemmings - and birds. In addition, it actively feeds on fish - both caught independently and thrown ashore - and almost all types of scanty northern vegetation - berries, herbs, even algae. A large share of its menu consists of carrion and animals caught in traps, including their own relatives. The Arctic fox can often be seen accompanying polar bears - he picks up the uneaten meat of killed seals. Sometimes he even hunts baby reindeer.
11. gray fox ( tree fox), which is often found in the North American forest, feeds on a variety of forest rodents, birds, insects, and sometimes chickens. She is also favorable to plant foods and will not miss an opportunity to destroy a squirrel or bird's nest due to the fact that she climbs trees very well.
12. The island fox, which lives in only one place - on the six Chenep Islands off the coast of Southern California - feeds on what can be found there: insects, fruits, small animals, reptiles, birds and their eggs. It is interesting that in nature there are six subspecies of the island fox - exactly the number of islands - and that each island is inhabited only by its own subspecies, specific to this island.
13. on the diet of the maikong found in South America, is influenced by seasonality, so it is almost the most diverse. Maikong feeds on everything that the surrounding flora and fauna can offer it: rodents and marsupials (mole and possum), reptiles, birds, fish, turtle eggs, insects, crabs, carrion, berries. Sometimes he even kidnaps chickens and domestic ducks.
14. almost nothing is known about the diet of the small fox, which lives in the South American forest, since it leads secret life, which is facilitated by its color. One can only assume that its menu consists of plant foods and some small forest inhabitants.
15. The Andean fox (culpeo) mainly feeds traditionally - rodents, birds, lizards, hares, rabbits and pikas. It is interesting that only occasionally does she allow herself to eat carrion or some type of plant food.
16. The menu of the South American fox, like the Maykong, is influenced by the changing seasons. In spring and summer it feeds on rodents, occasionally on rabbits and birds, and in the fall it switches to fruits, seeds and berries. It is interesting that in certain places of its range (and it is widespread throughout the south of the South American continent), the fox, on the contrary, gives preference European rabbits, birds and their eggs, also eats scorpions and reptiles. In winter, carrion, rodents and armadillos become almost the main source of food on its menu. If a fox of this species lives near a settlement, it can also feast on poultry.
17. Darwin's fox prefers to eat insects, small mammals, birds, amphibians, berries and carrion.
18. The food of the Paraguayan fox is almost no different from the food of the Maykong and, in addition, includes hares, scorpions, armadillos and snails.
19. The Brazilian (aka gray-haired) fox is insectivorous and feeds on termites and grasshoppers, but rodents can also be found in its diet.
20. The Sekuran fox mainly consumes plant foods, but can also diversify its breakfast with grasshoppers, mice, carrion, scorpions, fruits, poultry and guinea pigs, and even its small size does not stop the fox from hunting the last two.
21. The bat-eared fox (Motlozi, Sechuan) is perhaps the least varied in its diet, but at the same time, in comparison with the diet of other foxes, it is the most unexpected. The main place in its menu is occupied by insects (termites, beetles and locusts) and their larvae, and only less than one tenth of the total diet comes from lizards, rodents and bird eggs. Occasionally she can allow herself to eat something plant-based. It is also known that the big-eared fox has a sweet tooth and loves honey and sweet fruits and fruits. The predilection for them reaches the point that if there are plenty of them, then she can feed on them more often than on her favorite insects.

Conclusion

As can be seen from the above, the fox remains a predator in any corner globe, even if it feeds on insects and fruits. Therefore, the question of whether a fox is dangerous for a hare can be answered this way: it all depends on where the bunny will have to live. If it is in the forest, then an ordinary fox can pass by it; if in the steppe, then the corsac will not fail to dine on them.

Fox- one of the most popular heroines of children's fairy tales. But the Fox, as a fairy-tale image, is endowed with features characteristic of these animals in reality. The fox is beautiful: a bushy tail that is slightly less than half the length of the body, a red fur coat and a roguish narrow-nosed muzzle with beautiful brown eyes. Besides Fox slim, graceful, weighs 6-10 kilograms.

What does Lisa look like?

Fox They also call her a redhead, and this is actually true, only her belly is white, gray or slightly brownish, and her chest is light. The back and sides of the Fox are colored differently in different parts: from bright red to gray.

IN northern forests Foxes are fiery red and larger, in the forest-steppe they are yellowish-gray and smaller. Greyhounds, crosses, and silver foxes are common Foxes with deviations from the usual color. Black-brown fur is the most beautiful: guard hairs with white upper parts give the fur a silvery tint.

Such Foxes began to be bred on fur farms many years ago; black-brown Foxes are very rare in nature.

Summer Fox fur hard and short, in it she looks lean, big-headed and even long-legged, it suits the Fox less than the winter one. And by autumn, winter fur grows - beautiful, thick. Fox Shedding once a year - in the spring.

Fox Habits

Fox is a good hunter. In addition to observation and intelligence, she has excellent visual memory, a good sense of smell and acute hearing. The mouse squeaks barely audibly, and Fox hears a hundred meters away, a vole will rustle through dry grass under a half-meter layer of snow - and hear it. It climbs well, swims well, and is extremely maneuverable on the shore. Her ingenuity on the hunt or when escaping from pursuers is admirable.

Fox will be able to climb a tree if it is slightly inclined or branches low from the ground. The fox is very active. She knows her hunting area down to the smallest detail and systematically inspects it. Patterned chains in winter Fox tracks bizarrely cross fields, copses, ravines, getting lost on roads and paths and intertwining around stacks of straw, piles of dry soybean stalks, piles of dead wood and in other places where mice and voles live.

There was, and still is, the opinion that the main Fox food - hares. Of course, the Fox loves hare meat, but she can’t often catch up with a hare - how can she keep up with such a runner.

However, Foxes get along just fine without hare meat. It is estimated that the Fox's diet includes more than 300 different animals - from insects to large birds.

And yet the main food Foxes - rodents. They take up 80-85% of her diet. To get enough, the Fox needs to catch and eat at least two dozen mice and voles a day. And where fox feeding- and the area of ​​its feeding area is on average 10 kilometers in diameter - there are much fewer rodents than where there are no foxes.

After the rains, the fox collects earthworms in abundance. In shallow water Fox successfully catches fish, crayfish, takes out shells. It happens that half-eaten prey remains, and then the Fox hides it, taking it to different places. Then she will certainly find these supplies and eat them.

It is characteristic that, being a typical predator, the Fox is happy to eats berries, apples, some vegetables.

Fox hunts, as a rule, at dusk and at night, during the day it can be seen only during the lean period, most often in winter, and even in summer, when the fox cubs are growing.

Norami fox It is used mainly during raising offspring, and the rest of the time it prefers to rest in an open place: under the roots of an upturned tree, in a ravine, on a haystack.

Reproduction of foxes

Mating season for foxes begins from the end of January - in February, and in the north in March, although even before that you can often see a male and female in pairs. During wedding time, in March, one female is courted by several males, and fights between them are common. During the rut, Foxes are very excited, often yapping and howling, especially single ones who have not yet found a mate for themselves.

You can tell the difference between a male and a female by their voices. Female Fox makes a triple bark and ends it with a short howl, and the male barks more often and more, like a dog. Once alone, the couples play a lot, even organize some kind of dances: the Fox rises on its hind legs and walks in this position with small steps. This dance got its name from this dance. foxtrot(the word "foxtrot" is English and means "fox step").

Male foxes are good family men. They not only take an active part in raising the young, but also take touching care of their friends long before they give them adorable fox cubs: they carry food and improve their burrows.

Fox cubs There are from 4 to 12 in a litter, but most often there are 5-6. They appear after 51-53 days of pregnancy, usually at the end of April or in the first half of May. Fox cubs they are born weak and helpless, deaf and blind, weighing only 100-150 grams, but grow quite quickly. In less than a month, they can already see, hear, weigh about 1 kilogram, emerge from the hole, and soon begin to play and frolic. From now on, Fox's parents bring them half-dead game so that the fox cubs acquire hunting skills.

As soon as a person even accidentally stumbles upon a fox hole, the very next night The cubs will be transferred to another location, into a spare hole; Foxes usually have several of them on their site. If Fox cubs are in danger, adults discover something surprising presence of mind. Even when a person breaks a hole with a shovel, they try to the last to save their children - to get them out through one of the holes.

Fox trick

Sometimes you can notice in fox behavior actions that resemble episodes from fairy tales. For example, the Fox approaches the black grouse gathered at a lek in an open clearing in an amazingly cunning way: she pretends that she is not at all interested in them, and does not even look in their direction; sometimes he will lie down and take a nap, and the birds lose their vigilance and go about their business - very Lisa is a good actress.

Meanwhile, Patrnkeevna will move a meter or two towards them. Lisa spares no time in playing: sometimes such a performance lasts an hour or two. Then a few lightning-fast jumps - and the hunt is victoriously completed.

Not many animals are called by their first name or patronymic. But the Fox is often called that way. Moreover, her middle name is unusual - Patrikeevna. About 600 years ago there lived a prince named Patrikey Narimuntovich, famous for his resourcefulness and cunning. Since then, the name Patrikey has become equivalent to the word cunning. And since the Fox has long been considered by the people to be a very cunning beast, as the heiress of the famous prince, she received the patronymic name Patrikeevna.

Being a typical predator, the Fox happily eats berries, apples, and some vegetables.

Little Foxes They fight well against pests such as chafers.

Fox- one of the most graceful predators that fill almost the forests of Russia and many other countries! And today, friends, we will tell you about life common fox in nature.

Description of the common fox

In nature, there are more than 50 species of foxes, which have one thing in common - a slender physique. Fox rather resembles a cat, with a long build and a weight of 10 kg. She has an elongated muzzle, small pointed ears, short legs and a long, fluffy tail, which is the main decoration, along with fur, of course. The tail itself occupies about 40% of the body length, growing up to 40-60 cm. The fur of the predator requires special attention– most often the color is bright orange with a white belly and dark paws, but northern individuals are lighter. Fur common fox thick and short, which she sheds from February to mid-summer, acquiring a new soft and smoother one. But, the most interesting thing is in the form of shells, thanks to which the animal has excellent hearing, and it can clearly boast of a sense of smell. You've probably seen a fox jumping in the snow more than once in fairy tales? And all thanks to hearing, which allows a rodent to hear under a thick layer of snow . Lifespan of a common fox 30 years.

HABITAT AND REPRODUCTION OF FOXES

Where does the common fox live?

Fox- an animal that lives in pairs or families.
As a rule, they independently dig holes for themselves for a comfortable existence, or settle in abandoned ones. For your hole fox chooses sandy soil next to a ravine where rain will not fall. But holes are needed only for shelter and breeding; in other cases, the animal can easily do without them. Do you know that fox inhabits Russia, America, Europe, reaching Africa and Australia. But not only the forest creates the most comfortable conditions; parks, cities and even landfills are no worse. Thanks to its hearing and sense of smell, the fox is a good hunter, diet which includes not only rodents and various animals, but also insects. Essentially, she is a predator that will eat anything that is edible - hares, snakes, lizards, fish, chicks and bird eggs, mainly hunting at night.
And despite the short legs, the fox runs quite deftly and quickly.

Reproduction of foxes

At the end of winter, the female goes in search of a male, who may fight among themselves for the right to choose her. The winner gets the female's approval for reproduction. Pregnancy lasts approximately 50 days, and after their birth, the males again enter into battle for the right to raise the cubs. All newborns look more like small puppies with a white tail that are born a small amount during the period from April to May.

VIDEO: ABOUT FOXES

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN A LOT OF USEFUL AND INTERESTING ABOUT THE LIFE OF FOXES IN NATURE

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 harmful rodents agriculture. And the growing fox cubs large quantities exterminate 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 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 on all the hardships family life: helps to dig a hole, feeds the fox at a time when she cannot yet leave the newborns, shares with the female the responsibilities of raising young foxes. Fox cubs usually appear in late April or early May.

They are brown at first and look a lot like puppies, but they all have hallmark- 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 pathfinder reads the tracks, as in open book, and this can only be learned through long-term 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...

Fox (fox) (lat. Vulpes) - This carnivorous mammal, belongs to the order Carnivora, family Canidae. The Latin name for the fox genus appears to have come from corruptions of the Latin “lupus” and the German “Wolf,” both translated as “wolf.” IN Old Slavonic language The adjective “fox” corresponded to the definition of yellowish, red and yellowish-orange color, characteristic of the color of the widespread common fox.

Fox (fox): description, characteristics, photo

Depending on the species, the size of the fox varies from 18 cm (for the fennec) to 90 cm, and the weight of the fox ranges from 0.7 kg (for the fennec) to 10 kg. Foxes have a characteristic generic sign– a slender, elongated body with rather short limbs, a slightly elongated muzzle and tail.

The fox's fluffy tail serves as a kind of stabilizer while running, and in winter cold it is used for additional protection from frost.

The length of a fox's tail depends on the species. In the fennec fox it reaches 20-30 cm. The length of the common fox's tail is 40-60 cm.

Foxes rely more on touch and smell than sight. They have a sensitive sense of smell and excellent hearing.

Their ears are quite large, triangular, slightly elongated, with a sharp tip. The largest ears are those of the fennec fox (up to 15 cm in height) and the bat-eared fox (up to 13 cm in height).

The vision of animals, adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle, allows representatives of the genus to respond perfectly to movement, however, the structure of the fox's eye with vertical pupils is not adapted for recognizing colors.

A fox has a total of 42 teeth, except for the bat-eared fox, which grows 48 teeth.

The thickness and length of the hair of these predators depends on the time of year and climatic conditions. In winter and in areas with harsh weather conditions The fox's fur becomes thick and lush; in summer, the splendor and length of the fur decreases.

The color of a fox can be sandy, red, yellowish, brown with black or white markings. In some species, the fur color can be almost white or black-brown. IN northern latitudes foxes are larger and have a lighter color, in southern countries The color of the fox is duller, and the size of the animal is smaller.

When chasing a prey or in case of danger, a fox can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. During mating season foxes can make barking sounds.

The lifespan of a fox in natural conditions ranges from 3 to 10 years, but in captivity the fox lives up to 25 years of age.

Classification of foxes

In the canine family (wolf, canine), there are several genera, which include different types foxes:

• Maikongi (lat. Cerdocyon)
  • Maikong, savannah fox (lat. Cerdocyon thous)
• Small foxes (lat. Atelocynus)
  • Small fox (lat. Atelocynus microtis)
• Big-eared foxes (lat. Otocyon)
  • Big-eared fox (lat. Otocyon megalotis)
• South American foxes (lat. Lycalopex)
  • Andean fox (lat. Lycalopex culpaeus)
  • South American fox (lat. Lycalopex griseus)
  • Darwin's fox (lat. Lycalopex fulvipes)
  • Paraguayan fox (lat. Lycalopex gymnocercus)
  • Brazilian fox (lat. Lycalopex vetulus)
  • Sekuran fox (lat. Lycalopex sechurae)
• Gray foxes (lat. Urocyon)
  • Gray fox (lat. Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
  • Island fox (lat. Urocyon littoralis)
• Foxes (lat. Vulpes)
  • American fox (lat. Vulpes macrotis)
  • Afghan fox (lat. Vulpes cana)
  • African fox (lat. Vulpes pallida)
  • Bengal fox (Indian) (lat. Vulpes bengalensis)
  • Corsac, steppe fox (lat. Vulpes corsac)
  • American corsac (lat. Vulpes velox)
  • Sand fox (lat. Vulpes rueppelli)
  • Tibetan fox (lat. Vulpes ferrilata)
  • South African fox (lat. Vulpes chama)

Types of foxes, names and photographs

Below is short description several varieties of foxes:

• Common fox ( red fox) (lat. Vulpes vulpes)

The largest representative of the fox genus. The weight of the fox reaches 10 kilograms, and the length of the body including the tail is 150 cm. Depending on the area of ​​residence, the color of the fox may vary slightly in tonal saturation, but the main color of the back and sides remains bright red, and the belly is white. Black “stockings” are clearly visible on the legs. A characteristic feature serves as a white tip of the tail and dark, almost black ears.

Habitat includes all of Europe, territory North Africa, Asia (from India to Southern China), North America and Australia.

Representatives of this species of foxes happily eat field foxes and young roe deer; when the opportunity arises, they destroy the nests of geese and wood grouse, and feed on carrion and insect larvae. Surprisingly, the red fox is a fierce destroyer of oat crops: in the absence meat menu it attacks cereal crop fields, causing damage to them.

• American fox (lat.Vulpes macrotis )

A medium-sized predatory mammal. The body length of a fox varies from 37 cm to 50 cm, the tail reaches a length of 32 cm, the weight of an adult fox ranges from 1.9 kg (for a female) to 2.2 kg (for a male). The back of the animal is colored yellowish-gray or whitish, and the sides are yellowish-brown. Distinctive features This type of foxes have a white belly and a black tip of the tail. Side surface muzzles and sensitive whiskers are dark brown or black. The length of the fur hairs does not exceed 50 mm.

The fox lives in the southwestern deserts of the United States and north of Mexico, feeding on hares and rodents (kangaroo hoppers).

• Afghan fox (Bukhara, Balochistan fox)(lat.Vulpes cana )

A small animal belonging to the Canidae family. The length of the fox does not exceed 0.5 meters. The length of the tail is 33-41 cm. The weight of the fox ranges from 1.5-3 kilograms. The Bukhara fox differs from other types of foxes in its rather large ears, the height of which reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes coming from upper lip to the corners of the eyes. In winter, the color of the fox's fur on the back and sides becomes a rich brownish-gray color with individual black guard hairs. In summer, its intensity decreases, but the whitish color of the throat, chest and belly remains unchanged. The Afghan fox has no hair on the surface of its paw pads to protect others. desert foxes from the hot sand.

The main habitat of the fox is the east of Iran, the territory of Afghanistan and Hindustan. Less common in Egypt, Turkmenistan, UAE, Pakistan. The Afghan fox is an omnivore. He eats mice with gusto and does not refuse the vegetarian menu.

• African fox(lat. Vulpes pallida)

It has external resemblance with a red fox (lat. Vulpes vulpes), but has a more modest size. The total length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 70-75 cm, and the weight rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg. Unlike the common fox, its African relative has longer legs and ears. The color of the back, legs and tail with a black tip is red with a brown tint, and the muzzle and belly are white. A black rim is clearly visible around the eyes of adult individuals, and a strip of dark-colored fur runs along the ridge.

The African fox lives in African countries - it can often be seen in Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. The fox's food consists of both animals (small rodents) and plant components.

• Bengal fox (Indian fox)(lat.Vulpes bengalensis )

This type of fox is characterized by medium size. The height of adult individuals at the withers does not exceed 28-30 cm, the weight of foxes ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 kg, and maximum length body reaches 60 cm. The length of a fox's tail with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. The fur that forms the hairline is short and smooth. It is colored in various shades of sandy brown or reddish brown.

The animal lives in the foothills of the Himalayas and thrives in India and in Bangladesh and Nepal. The Indian fox's menu always includes sweet fruits, but preference is given to lizards, bird eggs, mice, and insects.

• Corsac fox, steppe fox(lat.Vulpes corsac )

Has a vague resemblance to common fox However, unlike her, representatives of this type of fox have a shorter pointed muzzle, large wide ears and longer legs. The body length of an adult corsac is 0.5-0.6 m, and the weight of a fox ranges from 4 to 6 kg. The color of the back, sides and tail of the fox is gray, sometimes with a red or red tint, and the color of the belly is yellowish or white. Characteristic feature This species is characterized by a light coloration of the chin and lower lip, as well as a dark brown or black color of the tip of the tail.

The steppe fox lives in many countries: from southeastern Europe to Asia, including Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. Often found in the Caucasus and the Urals, lives on the Don and in the lower Volga region.

Steppe foxes feed on rodents (voles, jerboas, mice), destroy nests, hunting for bird eggs, and sometimes attack and. There is practically no plant food in the diet of the steppe fox.

• American corsac fox, dwarf agile fox, prairie fox(lat.Vulpes velox )

A small fox with a body length from 37 to 53 cm and a weight from 2 to 3 kg. The height of the animal at the withers rarely reaches 0.3 m, and the length of the tail is 35 cm. The characteristic light gray color of the thick short fox fur on the sides and back is summer period acquires a pronounced red tint with red-ocher markings. The fox's throat and belly are lighter in color. Also characteristic of the American Corsac are the black markings located on both sides of the sensitive nose and the dark tip of the tail.

The dwarf fox lives in areas of plains and semi-deserts and has practically no territorial attachment.

The fox feeds on mice, loves to eat and will not refuse the carrion left over from the prey of more seasoned predators.

• sand fox(lat.Vulpes rueppelli )

The animal has characteristically large, wide ears and paws, the pads of which are protected from the hot sand by a thick coat of fur. Unlike most of their relatives, representatives of this species of fox have well-developed not only hearing and smell, but also vision. The pale brown color of the back, tail and sides with individual white guard hairs serves as a good camouflage color for the fox in sandy and stone placers in its habitat. The weight of adult animals rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg, and the length of the fox’s body including the tail does not exceed 85-90 cm.

The sand fox lives in desert areas. Numerous populations are found in the sands of the Sahara Desert - from Morocco and sultry Egypt to Somalia and Tunisia.

The sand fox's diet is not very diverse, which is due to its habitat. The fox's food includes jerboas, and, and, which the animal is absolutely not afraid of and deftly absorbs.

• Tibetan fox(lat.Vulpes ferrilata )

The animal grows to a size of 60-70 cm and weighs about 5 kg. The rusty-brown or fiery red color of the back, gradually turning into the light gray color of the sides and white belly, creates the impression of stripes running along the body of the fox. Fox fur is dense and longer than other species.

The fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau, and is less common in northern India, Nepal, and some provinces of China.

The food of the Tibetan fox is varied, but its basis is pikas (hay stands), although the fox happily catches mice and hares, does not disdain birds and their eggs, and eats lizards and sweet berries.

• Fenech (lat. Vulpes zerda)

This is the smallest fox in the world. The height of adult animals at the withers is only 18-22 cm with a body length of about 40 cm and a weight of up to 1.5 kg. is the owner of the largest ears among the representatives of the genus. The length of the ears reaches 15 cm. The surface of the pads on the fox's paws is pubescent, which allows the animal to calmly move along the hot sand. The belly of the animal is colored White color, and the back and sides are in various shades of red or fawn. The tip of the fox's fluffy tail is black. Unlike other relatives, who make sounds out of necessity, foxes of this species often communicate with each other using barking, growling, and howling sounds.

Fennec foxes live mainly in the central Sahara, but this fox can often be seen in Morocco, Sinai and Arabian peninsulas, near Lake Chad and in Sudan.

Fenech is an omnivorous fox: it hunts rodents and small birds, eats locusts and lizards, and will not refuse the roots of plants and their sweet fruits.

• South African fox (lat. Vulpes chama)

A fairly large animal with a weight of 3.5 to 5 kg and a body length of 45 to 60 cm. The length of the tail is 30-40 cm. The color of the fox varies from gray with a silver tint to almost black on the back and gray with a yellowish tint on the belly.

The fox lives exclusively in countries South Africa, especially large populations are found in Angola and Zimbabwe.

Omnivorous species: food includes small rodents, lizards, low-nesting birds and their eggs, carrion and even food waste, which the animal looks for when entering private yards or landfills.

• Maikong, savannah fox, crabeater fox (lat. Cerdocyon thous)

The species has a body length of 60 to 70 cm, the fox's tail reaches 30 cm, and the fox weighs 5-8 kg. The height of the maikong at the withers is 50 cm. The color is brown-gray with brown spots on the muzzle and paws. The color of the throat and belly may be grey, white or various shades of yellow. The tips of the fox's ears and tail are black. The legs of the maikong are short and strong, the tail is fluffy and long. The weight of an adult maikong reaches 4.5-7.7 kg. The body length is approximately 64.3 cm, the tail length is 28.5 cm.

• Big-eared fox (lat. Otocyon megalotis)

The animal has disproportionately large ears, reaching 13 cm in height. The fox's body length reaches 45-65 cm, the tail length is 25-35 cm. The weight of the fox varies between 3-5.3 kg. The hind legs of the animal have 4 fingers, the front legs are five-toed. The color of the animal is usually gray-yellow with brown, gray or yellow spots. The belly and throat of the fox have a lighter shade. The tips of the paws and ears are dark, there is a black stripe on the tail, and the same stripe is on the fox’s face. This type Foxes differ from other species by the presence of 48 teeth (other representatives of the genus have only 42 teeth).

The fox lives in southern and eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, South Africa.

The fox's main food is termites, beetles and locusts. Sometimes the animal feeds on bird eggs, lizards, small rodents, and plant foods.

The distribution range of foxes includes all of Europe, the African continent, North America, Australia and a large part of Asia. The fox lives in the forests and groves of Italy and Portugal, Spain and France, in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Russia and Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria, desert and mountainous regions of Egypt and Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, Mexico and the United States of America. Foxes feel at ease in the fertile climate of India, Pakistan and China, as well as harsh conditions Arctic and Alaska.

Under natural conditions, foxes live in ravines and ravines overgrown with vegetation, forests or plantings interspersed with fields, in desert and highland areas. Burrows of other animals or those dug themselves are often used as shelter. Burrows can be either simple or with complex system passages and emergency exits. Foxes can hide in caves, rock crevices, and also in tree hollows. Can easily endure spending the night under open air. The animal easily adapts to life in cultivated landscapes. Fox populations were observed even in park areas of large cities.

Almost all members of the family are active night look life, however, foxes often go hunting during the daytime.