Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

The red fox lives in loose family group. The male will den with two vixens, often a mother and an older daughter, but prefers a solitary life of hunting alone through his territory. Rather than meet other foxes face to face, he will often leave scent "messages" that will alert others to the control of his domain.

Fox litters can be as small as one whelp, or as large as thirteen, but the average is five. If a mother and older daughter produce a litter at the same time, the daughter will often surrender her kits to her mother, and all the whelps are raised together as one litter. The older daughter assists in the child-rearing and acts as a baby-sitter while learning how to raise a successful litter of kits.

Whelps are born blind, with short grey fur. Within ten days, their eyes are open, and by three weeks, they're playing outside. New fox kits are alert and curious, playful and affectionate. By two months, the kits have surrendered playfulness to a growing need for solitude and independence. They leave the den, and move to find lands of their own.

The beautiful, russet-coated red fox prefers gently rolling farmland sprinkled with sparsely wooded areas and streams for its habitat. But the clever fox is adaptable, and can be found in many habitats across eastern North America. Today, some manage to survive and prosper in urban and suburban areas, living in culverts, basements, and garden sheds. They become adept "mousers" and scavengers, and rely on their speed and cunning to keep them safe.