Types of Foxes - Names and Photos

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 12 February 2021
Update Date: 3 November 2024
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Types of Foxes | The Different Fox Species
Video: Types of Foxes | The Different Fox Species

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all foxes belong to the family Canidae, and therefore, are closely related to other canids such as dogs, jackals and wolves. Depending on where on the planet they live, their morphology and appearance may vary, as well as their behavior, although in general they have similar characteristics.

Do you want to know what kinds of foxes are there, where do they live and how do they behave? Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article, you will discover fascinating trivia!

Fox characteristics

Foxes are very intelligent animals. They have a morphology that allows them to be good hunters, fast and efficient. Furthermore, in times of food scarcity, they do not hesitate to take advantage of the dead animal corpses they find, and have even been seen eating human excrement, so they are opportunistic animals. They can hunt prey bigger than themselves, but their favorite food is rodents. They can also eat wild fruits or insects. are animals of night habits, so they become active at dusk.


Physically, all types of foxes are similar to dogs, but have behavioral characteristics that differentiate them from them. For example, the foxes don't bark, and dogs yes. Furthermore, they are lonely animals, unlike puppies and other canids, which live in packs.

The biggest threat to foxes is humans, who hunt them for their fur, for entertainment or supposedly to control the population.

How many types of foxes are there?

How many types of foxes are there in the world? The truth is that throughout history they were discovered over 20 different types of foxes, although some of them are already extinct. Thus, according to data provided by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species[1], there are currently about 13 species, some of them still unknown. However, next we'll talk about the 6 most outstanding types of foxes and studied.


Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

The red fox or common fox is the most popular of the fox species. Receive this name for your reddish-orange coat, which can sometimes be brown. The fur industry is the reason the red fox has been hunted and hunted for so many years.

they have a almost global distribution. We can find them all over the northern hemisphere, in mountains, plains, forests, beaches and even deserts or frozen areas. It is also possible to find specimens in the southern hemisphere, but not as many as in the north. In the 19th century, they were introduced to Australia, and to this day they continue to thrive there, being a problem for local wildlife.

Are animals lonely, which only come together during the breeding season, which occurs during the winter months. The rearing of the offspring is done by both parents, and the male is responsible for bringing food to the female.


This type of fox in captivity can live up to 15 years, however, in nature it lives only 2 or 3 years.

Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)

The arctic fox is known for its spectacular winter coat, immaculate white tone.A curiosity of this fox is that its coat color turns brown during the hot months, when the snow melts and the earth reappears.

They are distributed throughout the North Pole, from Canada to Siberia, being one of the few animals that survive such low temperatures. Your body is prepared to maintain body heat, thanks to its thick skin and very dense hair that even cover their paw pads.

As there are few animals in the areas that this fox inhabits, it makes the most of any resource. It is able to hunt animals that live under the snow without even seeing them. Their most common prey is lemmings, but they can also eat seals or fish.

The breeding season lasts practically all year, except in the months of July and August. These animals are also lonely, but once a couple mate for the first time, they will always do so every season, until one of them dies, making the arctic fox one of the most faithful animals to partners.

Speed ​​Fox (Vulpes Velox)

The fast fox may look a bit like the red fox, as its coat is also orange, but with a more brownish hue. In addition, it has some black and yellow spots, its body is lighter and of small size, similar to a cat.

It is distributed throughout North America, the United States and Canada. It is an animal of the desert and plains, where it thrives very well. The breeding season includes the winter months and part of spring. It's the females who defend a territory, and males visit these territories only during the breeding season; as soon as the chicks become independent, the male leaves.

Life expectancy in the wild is a little longer than that of other foxes, being approximately 6 years.

Fenugreek (Vulpes zerda)

Fenugreek, also known as Desert Fox, has a very characteristic face, with very small eyes and overly large ears. This anatomy is a consequence of the place where he lives, the deserts. Large ears allow greater internal heat release and body cooling to maintain optimal body temperature. It has a very light beige or cream color, which helps to blend in well with the environment.

It is distributed throughout the North Africa, inhabiting the Sahara Desert, and can also be found in Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Like other types of foxes that exist, the fenugreek has nocturnal habits, and feeds on rodents, insects and birds. You can drink it, but you don't have to, as it gets all the water it needs from its prey.

It reproduces during the months of March and April, and the parental care of the offspring is carried out by both the female and the male.

Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Despite the name, these foxes are not gray, but its coat alternates with black and white, creating a gray appearance. Also, behind the ears, it is possible to notice a reddish tinge. It is one of the largest species of foxes.

They are distributed throughout almost the entire American continent, from Canada to Venezuela. One of the most striking characteristics of this species of fox is that it is able to climb trees, thanks to its strong and sharp claws. Besides, she too can swim. These two qualities give the gray fox a great hunting ability. In this way, it tends to chase its prey for long distances, leading them towards the water, where it will be easier to hunt them.

The breeding season takes place during the hottest months of the year. When two gray foxes mate, they will do so for the rest of their lives.

Dwarf fox (Vulpes macrotis)

the dwarf fox looks a little different of the other types of foxes. It has a very thin and slender body, reddish-gray in color, with a black tail tip and large ears. And the lesser fox species.

It is distributed over arid prairie areas in the southwestern United States and Mexico. A curiosity about this fox is that it is an animal both night and day, so it has a greater variety of prey than other foxes that only feed at night.

Its breeding season is centered on the months of October and November. In this species, the breeding pair can mate for several consecutive years or change each season. The female will care for and feed the young, while the male will be in charge of getting the food.

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