Critter Corner No. 31 – The Red Fox by George Sly

Once home to five^* species of canids, Indiana now has viable populations of three: the coyote (Critter Corner No. 12), the red fox, and the gray fox. All of these may find a home within the diverse habitats of Goose Pond FWA. Both the gray wolf^** and the red wolf were gone from Indiana by the early 1900’s. Habitat loss, hunting and trapping, and in the case of the latter, hybridization with coyotes all contributed to their extirpation.

The red fox is typically a creature of open, dry lands such as fallow fields, brushy areas, and farmland. Its close relative the gray fox prefers wooded habitat and even has adaptations for tree climbing. While the gray is native to Indiana, the origin of the red fox in our state is more complicated.

As early as 1909, mammalogist Walter Hahn wrote that, . . . there can be no doubt that this species has been introduced into Indiana since the coming of the white man. In reality, it appears that the origin story of the red fox in North America is a bit more complicated.

Genetic studies have shown that most red foxes in the United States are native and are descended from populations that arrived in North America thousands of years ago (likely via the Bering Land Bridge). Their offspring subsequently populated Alaska, Canada, and our western mountains.

But Hahn was not in error. Red foxes in the eastern United States have arisen from individuals brought to North America by European settlers, likely for the purpose of establishing it as a game animal. Some eastern red foxes may now be hybrids of these two populations. Apparently, the presence of the red fox is a tale of hardiness, colonial introduction, and extreme ecological adaptability.

The red fox (genus Vulpes: from the Latin for fox) is primarily nocturnal, but daytime sightings are not uncommon. They are active at all times of the year and may travel a few miles during their daily wonderings. Burrows are used during the breeding season. They may dig their own or use one constructed by another animal such as a woodchuck. Females (vixens) give birth in March or April. The average number of offspring (pups or kits) is four to six.

My wife and I were fortunate to once have such a burrow within a short distance of our house. When an adult fox returned in the evening, the pups would spill from the den in greeting and then spend long minutes wrestling and tumbling over one another in play. For a few weeks, their antics provided a free source of pleasant entertainment.

J.O. Whitaker, Jr. and Russell Mumford, in their Mammals of Indiana, note that red foxes are notorious in folklore and fairy tales as being especially smart as well as cunning. Stories of their ability to escape dogs by doubling back on their trail, walking along the top of rail or stone fences, or using other terrain features are common.

Red foxes hunt by stalking their prey with great stealth. They eat a wide variety of foods with prairie voles, eastern cottontails, and Peromyscus mice being especially common items found in analysis of stomach contents. Other types of prey include beetles, other insects, birds, corn, grasses, and berries.

Red fox numbers in rural Indiana have declined since the mid-1980’s according to mammalogist John Whitaker, Jr. He hypothesizes that the increase in coyote numbers, beginning with this time, may be responsible. The coyote has habitat, food, and denning preferences like those of the red fox. Being much larger physically may allow the coyote to outcompete its smaller cousin for resources.

Still, the red fox is a model of ecological versatility. It can thrive across wildly varied habitats ranging from fields to farms to urban alleyways and suburban neighborhoods. Its ability to adapt its diet, behavior, and territory to these diverse landscapes is remarkable. Beyond its adaptability, this is an animal that fascinates us with its beautiful reddish coat, long, bushy, white-tipped tail, and its craftiness. A combination of stealth, elegance, and intelligence, the red fox is a creature worthy of both admiration and ecological respect.