Nature Canada
Stephane Poirier

Meet the Red Fox, Nature’s Agile, Curious, and Opportunistic Feeder

From the Fox and the Grapes to the Fox and the Crow, charismatic foxes often appear in fables, children’s stories, and other literature. Though they’re usually considered sly and cunning in tall tales, Red Foxes are actually rather shy and timid—though they are very intelligent and curious.

These small mammals, with their rusty-red fur, pointed snouts, fluffy white-tipped tails, and agile bodies are as fascinating as they are cute. Red Foxes communicate with each other in a variety of ways, but mainly through facial expressions, scent markings, and sharp barks. In fact, as many as 28 different Red Fox vocalizations have been heard!

Where do Red Foxes live in Canada?

Red Foxes are a highly adaptable species, making them one of the most widespread species in the country. They live all across Canada, with the exception of the northern Arctic and British Columbia’s coastal islands. Red Foxes can thrive in both urban and natural environments, from cities and farms to forests and prairies.

What do Red Foxes like to eat?

Red Foxes are omnivores, and far from picky eaters. They will happily eat whatever food is available, be it small mammals like rodents, rabbits, and squirrels, birds, amphibians, fish, fruit, berries, and eggs. These opportunistic eaters will even eat your leftover dinner from the garbage.

Red Fox Facts

  • Despite their name, Red Foxes may be grey, brown, or black, with foxes from the same litter sometimes being different colours.
  • Red Foxes have such good hearing that they are able to hear rodents digging around underground.
  • Due to a mirror-like membrane, Red Foxes’ eyes glow green if light is shined on them in the dark. Their eyes are highly adapted to be able to see at night, with double the intensity of the image many other animals can see.

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