The canids are a varied group of mammals that are located in the order of carnivores. Within them there are different genera and some are commonly known as foxes, however, it is the Vulpes genus that contains the true foxes. These have a series of characteristics and peculiarities that distinguish them from the other members of the family, so in this article on our site we want to introduce you to curiosities of foxes that surely you did not know, discover them!
They are the smallest canids
On average, foxes are the smallest of the canids, in fact, the smallest species is found in the groupwithin the family Canidae. Thus, we have the fennec fox (V. zerda), which measures between 0.5 and 0.7 meters in length and weighs an average of 0.8 kg in the case of females and 1.5 kg in males.
In contrast we find the red fox (V. vulpes), which is the largest fox species, with dimensions ranging from 0.7 to 1.5 meters and a weight of around 3- 15kg.
They have a distinctive head
Although foxes look similar to a dog, their skull is distinctive, as it ismore flattened and the snout is peculiarly pointed , as are the ears which, although they differ in size depending on the species, they are vertical and also pointed. In this way, foxes have a typical and characteristic head within canids.
Feature unique brands
Another of the curiosities of foxes that allow them to be distinguished is the presence of some dark or black spots between the eyes and the nosewith triangular shape. In addition, the tip of the tail has a different color than the rest of the entire fur or of this extremity.
They use their tails to regulate their temperature
The fox's tail is unique, as it has thick fur and occupies approximately a third of the total length of the body, which makes it quite long, offering a larger appearance to the animal. On the other hand, in certain cases they use it to regulate their body temperature when they live in cold areas, so that they wrap their body with it
They hunt by jumping
In general, these animals are good hunters, but they have a typical way of capturing certain prey such as rodents, which is to pounce, falling hard and vertically on the victim, rendering her lifeless. This technique is learned by foxes since they are small.
They are not strict carnivores
Another curious fact about foxes is that, although they belong to the order of carnivores, they do not follow a strictly carnivorous diet, but are actually omnivorousTheir feeding behavior is quite opportunistic and they take advantage of many resources present in their habitat. Thus, they feed on a variety of vertebrates and invertebrates, carrion, eggs, various types of fruits, berries, seeds, leaves and roots.
In this other article we explain in more detail what foxes eat.
They can live in very diverse habitats
Foxes are distributed mainly in the northern hemisphere, in America, Europe and Asia, although they are also present in Africa. Within this range, they develop according to the species in an important variety of habitats, such as:
- deserts
- semi-deserts
- tundras
- bed sheets
- forests
- seazones
- cultivated areas
- Lowlands
- mountains above 4,000 m a.s.l. n. m.
If you want to know more about where foxes live, don't miss this other post!
They are good parents
These canids are considered good parents, since both females and males spend significant time caring for and rearing their offspring. For the birth, the female takes shelter in an underground burrow, from which she does not usually come out before 3 months, which is when weaning occurs. During this time, the male will bring food to his mate, and when the pups start weaning, the father also shares the food with them.
On the other hand, the exit from the den is done as a family and the parents begin to teach the little ones hunting techniques so that they learn to fend for themselves. Foxes are capable of providing support and protection to young that are not their own.
They emit very peculiar vocalizations
Unlike other types of canids, foxes do not make vocalizations in groups, but they do emit various sounds unique to each individual to communicate and stay in contact with other members of the family. Thus, they can emit barks of three “syllables”, which are believed to be for identification; high-pitched barks of one “syllable” to announce some risk; the sound known as “ gekkering”, which is described as a kind of stutter emitted from the throat and used for mating season or in conflicts with other foxes; and finally, a typical moan used exclusively to express readiness for mating.
They are very fast
In general, they are fast animals that reach around 50 km/hHowever, the species that is particularly fast within the group is the swift fox (V. velox), which can exceed this value. Also, these animals can jump over obstacles about 2 meters high, as in the case of the red fox, this being another curiosity of the red foxes, especially, really amazing.
They live a short time in the wild
Foxes do not live very long in the wild when compared to other animals. They only live 2 to 4 years, while in captivity they can live 10 to 12 years. As a curious fact, we can say that the fox that has lived the longest in captivity lasted a little more than 21 years.
All species have the same conservation status
Another of the curiosities of the foxes, and also a great advantage, is that the twelve species of foxes are classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in theleast concern category , although in some countries different classifications may be found for particular impacts.
However, foxes are not without threats. In addition to direct hunting and the effects of habitat changes, for a long time their greatest danger was generated by the fur industry, which used thousands of these animals to market their pelts, such as that of the red fox and arctic fox (V. lagopus). It is estimated that, after the American mink (Neovison vison), foxes are the animals that were used the most in this terrible industry. From our site we always encourage our readers not to acquire any type of garment or object that is made with parts of the body of an animal.
Tell us, what do you think of these curiosities? Do you know more curious facts about foxes? Leave us your comment!
