New Jersey Wildlife: Red foxes, the state's most adaptable wild 'dogs
nj.com
Many New Jerseyans are surprised to learn that wild canine (dog) species live in their neighborhoods — especially people in suburban neighborhoods.There are three species of the family "canidae" (the dog family) that live in New Jersey: the coyote, the gray fox and the red fox. The most common of these and the one that can be found in every habitat type in New Jersey is the red foxThe red fox fur is typically reddish but they can have different phase and color variations, such as black or even grayish (silver), but it is the white tip of the tail that never changes and always distinguishes it from other fox species.
The red fox is by far the most recognized of the fox species and is also the most widely distributed fox species in the world. It occurs in five of the seven continents. In North America, however, there is some controversy as to whether it was introduced or made its way over from Asia on the same land bridge used by the first humans during the last Ice Age. This is debatable because many red foxes were brought over by European settlers during the 1600 and 1700s for hunting. From there, their population grew in North America because of the continent's favorable habitat conditions.
As its distribution shows, the red fox is very adaptive in where it makes its home and can actually thrive in areas with heavy human disturbance. The red fox is a shy animal and typically hunts at night, dusk and dawn and then sleeps during the day. Adult foxes tend to sleep in their burrows (they dig burrows or enlarge another animals borrow — like that of a woodchuck), but they also will rest in hollow logs, rock cervices or underbrush. They also use their burrows as dens for their young (called kits or pups). They do not hibernate.
Unlike wolves or dogs, adult red foxes hunt alone. They hunt by stalking and have an incredible sense of hearing that helps them locate prey in heavy cover. They also have elliptical (vertical-slit) pupils like a cat, making their eyes more sensitive and giving them the ability to better detect movement in the dark. (Most canid species have round pupils.) Not only do red foxes also have longer whiskers (like that of a cat) on its face then other canid species, but they also have whiskers on their legs as well to help them maneuver in the dark.
Red foxes are omnivores and will eat almost anything. They typically feed on any small animal they can catch, such as mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, etc. They also will feed on carrion, birds, frogs, fish, reptiles, insects and even eat grains and fruit. There are reports that on occasion they will kill domestic small cats (especially kittens).
Red foxes are opportunists when foraging, so they can occasionally be a problem in the farming community, preying on poultry and sometimes lambs. But as one of the last high-level predators in our area, foxes are very important to the ecology of the landscape, assisting to prevent rodent and even to some extent certain insect populations from exploding.
Red foxes can carry the Rabies disease, so although they are cute to look at and may seem similar to a domestic dog, never forget that they are wild animals and are better enjoyed at a distance.
This story is a weekly feature that runs with the cooperation of New Jersey Audubon. For more information about NJ Audubon or how to perform conservation efforts on your property, contact John Parke of NJ Audubon at john.parke@njaudubon.orgor visit njaudubon.org
As its distribution shows, the red fox is very adaptive in where it makes its home and can actually thrive in areas with heavy human disturbance. The red fox is a shy animal and typically hunts at night, dusk and dawn and then sleeps during the day. Adult foxes tend to sleep in their burrows (they dig burrows or enlarge another animals borrow — like that of a woodchuck), but they also will rest in hollow logs, rock cervices or underbrush. They also use their burrows as dens for their young (called kits or pups). They do not hibernate.
Unlike wolves or dogs, adult red foxes hunt alone. They hunt by stalking and have an incredible sense of hearing that helps them locate prey in heavy cover. They also have elliptical (vertical-slit) pupils like a cat, making their eyes more sensitive and giving them the ability to better detect movement in the dark. (Most canid species have round pupils.) Not only do red foxes also have longer whiskers (like that of a cat) on its face then other canid species, but they also have whiskers on their legs as well to help them maneuver in the dark.
Red foxes are omnivores and will eat almost anything. They typically feed on any small animal they can catch, such as mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, etc. They also will feed on carrion, birds, frogs, fish, reptiles, insects and even eat grains and fruit. There are reports that on occasion they will kill domestic small cats (especially kittens).
Red foxes are opportunists when foraging, so they can occasionally be a problem in the farming community, preying on poultry and sometimes lambs. But as one of the last high-level predators in our area, foxes are very important to the ecology of the landscape, assisting to prevent rodent and even to some extent certain insect populations from exploding.
Red foxes can carry the Rabies disease, so although they are cute to look at and may seem similar to a domestic dog, never forget that they are wild animals and are better enjoyed at a distance.
This story is a weekly feature that runs with the cooperation of New Jersey Audubon. For more information about NJ Audubon or how to perform conservation efforts on your property, contact John Parke of NJ Audubon at john.parke@njaudubon.orgor visit njaudubon.org
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