FOXES USDA-APHIS-ADC Denver, Colorado 80225-0266
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Robert L. Phillips Wildlife Research Biologist Denver Wildlife Research Center FOXES USDA-APHIS-ADC Denver, Colorado 80225-0266 Robert H. Schmidt Assistant Professor Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Utah State University Logan, Utah 84322-5210 Fig. 1. Red fox, Vulpes vulpes (left) and gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus (right). Damage Prevention and Frightening Trapping Control Methods Flashing lights and exploders may Steel leghold traps. provide temporary protection. Exclusion Cage or box traps. Well-trained livestock guarding dogs Snares. Net wire fence. may be effective in some situations. Shooting Electric fence. Repellents Cultural Methods Predator calling techniques. None are registered for livestock Protect livestock and poultry during protection. Aerial hunting. most vulnerable periods (for Toxicants Other Methods example, shed lambing, farrowing pigs in protective enclosures). M-44® sodium cyanide mechanical Den hunting. Remove young foxes ejection device, in states where from dens to reduce predation by registered. adults. Fumigants Gas cartridges for den fumigation, where registered. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994 Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska - Lincoln United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control C-83 Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee Identification Gray foxes are found throughout the eastern, north central, and south- The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most western United States They are found common of the foxes native to North throughout Mexico and most of the America. Most depredation problems southwestern United States from are associated with red foxes, although California northward through western in some areas gray foxes (Urocyon Oregon (Fig. 3). cinereoargenteus) can cause problems. Few damage complaints have been Kit foxes are residents of arid habitats. associated with the swift fox (V. velox), They are found from extreme southern kit fox (V. macrotis), or Arctic fox Oregon and Idaho south along the Baja (Alopex lagopus). Peninsula and eastward through southwestern Texas and northern The red fox is dog-like in appearance, Mexico (Fig. 4). with an elongated pointed muzzle and Fig. 2. Range of the red fox in North America. large pointed ears that are usually The present range of swift foxes is erect and forward. It has moderately restricted to the central high plains. long legs and long, thick, soft body fur They are found in Kansas, the Okla- with a heavily furred, bushy tail (Fig. homa panhandle, New Mexico, Texas, 1). Typically, red foxes are colored Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, with a light orange-red coat, black legs, and Colorado (Fig. 4). lighter-colored underfur and a white- As its name indicates, the Arctic fox tipped tail. Silver and cross foxes are occurs in the arctic regions of North color phases of the red fox. In North America and was introduced on a America the red fox weighs about 7.7 number of islands in the Aleutian to 15.4 pounds (3.5 to 7.0 kg), with chain. males on average 2.2 pounds (1 kg) heavier than females. Habitat Gray foxes weigh 7 to 13 pounds (3.2 The red fox is adaptable to most to 5.9 kg) and measure 32 to 45 inches habitats within its range, but usually (81 to 114 cm) from the nose to the tip prefers open country with moderate of the tail (Fig. 1). The color pattern is cover. Some of the highest fox densi- generally salt-and-pepper gray with ties reported are in the north-central Fig. 3. Range of the gray fox in North America. buffy underfur. The sides of the neck, United States, where woodlands are back of the ears, legs, and feet are interspersed with farmlands. The rusty yellow. The tail is long and range of the red fox has expanded in bushy with a black tip. recent years to fill habitats formerly occupied by coyotes (Canis latrans). Other species of foxes present in North The reduction of coyote numbers in America are the Arctic fox, swift fox, many sagebrush/grassland areas of and kit fox. These animals are not usu- Montana and Wyoming has resulted ally associated with livestock and in increased fox numbers. Red foxes poultry depredation because they typi- have also demonstrated their adapt- cally eat small rodents and lead a ability by establishing breeding popu- secretive life in remote habitats away lations in many urban areas of the from people, although they may cause United States, Canada, and Europe. site-specific damage problems. Gray foxes prefer more dense cover Range such as thickets, riparian areas, swamp land, or rocky pinyon-cedar ridges. In Red foxes occur over most of North eastern North America, this species is America, north and east from southern closely associated with edges of California, Arizona, and central Texas. deciduous forests. Gray foxes can also They are found throughout most of the be found in urban areas where suitable United States with the exception of a habitat exists. Fig 4. Range of the swift fox (dark) and the kit few isolated areas (Fig. 2). fox (light) in North America.. C-84 Food Habits in the arctic zones. Red foxes generally Legal Status produce 4 to 9 pups. Gray foxes usu- Foxes are opportunists, feeding mostly ally have 3 to 7 pups per litter. Arctic Foxes in the United States are listed as on rabbits, mice, bird eggs, insects, and foxes may have from 1 to 14 pups, but furbearers or given some status as native fruits. Foxes usually kill animals usually have 5 or 6. Foxes disperse game animals by most state govern- smaller than a rabbit, although fawns, from denning areas during the fall ments. Most states allow for the taking pigs, kids, lambs, and poultry are months and establish breeding areas in of foxes to protect private property. sometimes taken. The fox’s keen hear- vacant territories, sometimes dispers- Check with your state wildlife agency ing, vision, and sense of smell aid in ing considerable distances. for regulations before undertaking fox detecting prey. Foxes stalk even the control measures. smallest mice with skill and patience. Damage and Damage The stalk usually ends with a sudden Identification Damage Prevention and pounce onto the prey. Red foxes some- Control Methods times kill more than they can eat and Foxes may cause serious problems for bury food in caches for later use. All poultry producers. Turkeys raised in Exclusion foxes feed on carrion (animal car- large range pens are subject to damage Construct net wire fences with open- casses) at times. by foxes. Losses may be heavy in small ings of 3 inches (8 cm) or less to ex- farm flocks of chickens, ducks, and clude red foxes. Bury the bottom of the General Biology, geese. Young pigs, lambs, and small fence 1 to 2 feet (0.3 m to 0.9 m) with Reproduction, and pets are also killed by foxes. Damage an apron of net wire extending at least Behavior can be difficult to detect because the 12 inches (30 cm) outward from the prey is usually carried from the kill site bottom. A top or roof of net wire may Foxes are crepuscular animals, being to a den site, or uneaten parts are also be necessary to exclude all foxes, most active during the early hours of buried. Foxes usually attack the throat since some will readily climb a fence. darkness and very early morning of young livestock, but some kill by in- A 3-wire electric fence with wires hours. They do move about during the flicting multiple bites to the neck and spaced 6 inches, 12 inches, and 18 day, however, especially when it is back. Foxes do not have the size or inches (15 cm, 31 cm, and 46 cm) dark and overcast. strength to hold adult livestock or to crush the skull and large bones of their above the ground can repel red foxes. Foxes are solitary animals except from prey. They generally prefer the viscera Combination fences that incorporate the winter breeding season through and often begin feeding through an net and electric wires are also effective. midsummer, when mates and their entry behind the ribs. Foxes will also Cultural Methods young associate closely. Foxes have a scavenge carcasses, making the actual wide variety of calls. They may bark, cause of death difficult to determine. The protection of livestock and poultry scream, howl, yap, growl, or make from fox depredation is most impor- sounds similar to a hiccup. During Pheasants, waterfowl, other game tant during the spring denning period winter a male will often give a yelling birds, and small game mammals are when adults are actively acquiring bark, “wo-wo-wo,” that seems to be also preyed upon by foxes. At times, prey for their young. Watch for signs important in warning other male foxes fox predation may be a significant of depredation during the spring, es- not to intrude on its territory. Red mortality factor for upland and wet- pecially if there is a history of fox dep- foxes may dig their own dens or use land birds, including some endan- redation. Foxes, like other wild canids, abandoned burrows of a woodchuck gered species. will often return to established den- or badger. The same dens may be used Rabies outbreaks are most prevalent ning areas year after year. Foxes fre- for several generations. Gray foxes among red foxes in southeastern quently den in close proximity to commonly use wood piles, rocky out- Canada and occasionally in the eastern human habitation. Dens may be lo- crops, hollow trees, or brush piles as United States. The incidence of rabies cated close to farm buildings, under den sites. Foxes use their urine and in foxes has declined substantially haystacks or patches of cover, or even feces to mark their territories.