Fox
Footprint Images
Description
A slender dog like animal with reddish brown upper coat and white/grey underparts, plus a bushy white tipped tail which is approx. 40cm in length
Footprint Description
Normal stride between tracks 45cm. More compact and rounded than the print of a Dog, less splayed, with the claws of the two front toes much closer together. Often fur can be seen between the pads in a print on soft ground.
The easiest way to ascertain whether a print has been made by a Fox and not a Dog, is to draw an imaginary "X" through the track - if you can do so without the "X" cutting through any of the pad marks then its almost certainly a Fox.
Distribution
Found throughout the UK, though rarely found on smaller islands.
Footprint Size
5x4.5cm.
Habitat
A common mammal, the fox inhabits a den, or earth, often hollowed out under a tree root; sometimes the fox will cohabit with badgers.
Diet
Behaviour
Taxonomy
Images of Tracks & Signs
Male
Primary Image
Reproduction
The mating dog and vixen will travel about together for approx. 3 weeks during the mating season which is from late December to about the middle of February. The pregnancy lasts just under 8 weeks, and a litter of four or five cubs will be born on the floor of the earth - no nest is built. The young cubs mature around September and dog foxes leave the family group to establish their own territory.
Scientific Name
Vulpes vulpes
Female
Height
Predators
Man has probably been the greatest threat to the fox population.
Tracks & Signs Description
Fox trails are usually straighter than those of Dogs, which tend to wander more.
Juvenile
Length
Body up to 60cm long (120cm including tail) and shoulder height of approx. 35cm.
Weight
Speed
Droppings Images
Life Span
A fox may survive for up to 2 years in the wild, normally, but a lifespan of 10 years has been known.
Also Known As
Red Fox
Droppings Description
Fox scats can usually be indentified by their tapered ends, dense contruction and "musty" smell, which is present even after several days. They may be dropped singly, or in groups.
Generally, scats will contain a lot of fur from prey such as Rabbits or Voles, but may also contain beetles,seeds,feathers and other various food remains.Colouration is usually dark when fresh, fading over time to a pale grey. Occasionally very pale scats may be found possibly due to a high bone content in the diet. Very fresh scats have a really strong musty odour, and slimy appearance.
The images above show a few variations.
Status
Since this is the most abundant wild carnivore in the world, it will be interesting to see what happens to their numbers in the UK following the ban on fox hunting.
Did You Know?
Despite being mainly a nocturnal hunter, the fox can often be seen crossing open land during the day. Its cry or distinctive scent being a more likely indicator of its presence.