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Let's learn about foxes!
Foxes are small furry animals that belong to the same family as dogs, wolves, and jackals.
Even though they look a bit like cats, they are not related to them!
Foxes are mammals, which means that they are warm-blooded, breathe air, feed their babies
milk, and are covered in fur.
Many foxes are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, but some are crepuscular,
which means they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Male foxes are called dogs.
Female foxes are called vixens.
Baby foxes are called pups, kits, or cubs.
There are 12 different species of true fox, and they can be found on every continent except
for Antarctica.
The largest species of fox, the red fox, can measure up to 35 inches or 90 centimeters
long, not including the tail, and weigh up to 31 lbs or 14 kilograms.
The smallest species of fox, the fennec fox, may only grow as large as 15 inches or 39
centimeters long, excluding their tail, and weigh less than 3 lbs or 1.3 kilograms.
Foxes are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants.
Although it varies by species, foxes mostly eat small mammals like mice and squirrels,
as well as hunting small birds, reptiles, and insects.
When available, they will also eat fruit, berries, and acorns.
Different types of foxes may look a bit different from each other, but usually foxes have triangular
faces, pointed ears, and bushy tails.
Like cats, they have whiskers and retractable claws.
Foxes that live in deserts, grasslands, or hot climates may have short, light-colored
fur and extra big ears to help get rid of body heat.
Foxes that live in colder climates may have thicker fur and smaller ears to help them
keep warm.
One fox, called the arctic fox, has very special adaptations.
Arctic foxes live in the freezing temperatures of the Arctic region.
Their legs and ears are extra small so that they lose less heat, and their foot pads are
covered in fur.
They also have a tail that is very large and fluffy.
When they are cold, arctic foxes will curl up in a little ball and wrap their tail around
themselves like a blanket, even tucking their nose in to stay extra cozy.
The most interesting thing about arctic foxes, however, is that their fur changes colors
with the seasons.
In summer, they are brown or gray.
In winter, they grow a fluffy white coat that keeps them extra warm and gives them camouflage
in the snow.
Because foxes are found so many places around the world, they are also found in the stories
of many different cultures.
Foxes have a reputation of being clever and tricky, and sometimes even having magical
powers.
If you have outsmarted someone, sometimes we say you have 'outfoxed' them.
Today foxes live in the wild like they have always done, but they also sometimes live
around people and in cities.
Because they are omnivores, foxes can survive on food scraps in garbage that people throw
out, or food left out for pets.
Being active at night also helps them to avoid coming into conflict with people.
Although they may look cute, foxes do not make good pets.
They are wild animals.
If you want to see a fox in person, try visiting a zoo or wildlife refuge near you!
I hope you enjoyed learning about foxes today.
Goodbye till next time!