Red and Grey Fox

Wild Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes

Although red foxes and grey foxes are sometimes confused, they are of a completely different genus. Similar to the red fox, grey foxes occupy most of North America, but with a range extending further south and hardly into Canada. While they prefer forest type environments, grey foxes are also opportunistic much like red foxes, preferring meat but eating whatever is in abundance. They also mate during the winter, having litters of up to seven pups.

Legally Rescued* Grey Fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Despite their similarities, there are distinct differences between red and grey foxes. A grey fox is an ample climber and one of the only climbers of the canine family. They often den in tree hollows as high as 10 meters (32 feet) up. When escaping pursuit, their preference is to climb out of reach or hide rather than run like their red fox cousin. Unlike the red fox, a grey fox has a distinctive black line running the tail length and no white tip. While they have reddish-brown patches of fur and a white chin, the grey fox lacks the black stockings often seen on a red fox.


* The above grey fox resides at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary after legal rescue and transfer by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. It is on display under the education display permit EDU-0609-114 from Texas Parks and Wildlife. It is illegal to hold any native wildlife in the state of Texas (or native bird in the United States) without a proper permit.