Traits of a Common Gray Fox

The common gray fox is a medium-sized member of the dog family that is found throughout the United States and surrounding areas. Its distinctive gray coat and black-tipped tail differentiates it from the closely related red fox. The gray fox prefers to live in mixed hardwood forests and is considered an opportunistic eater. It also possesses the unusual ability to climb trees, which is a helpful adaptation when running from danger or chasing prey.

  1. Appearance

    • Common gray foxes are medium sized, weighing from eight to 11 pounds and measuring up to 40 inches long. While they have reddish-brown legs, the back and side coat are gray in color. They may have tawny sides and white around the throat; the muzzle can have black points and the tail is tipped with black. Their features include pointed muzzles and ears, hooked claws and a black stripe running down the back and tail.

    Habitat

    • Gray foxes live throughout the United States and in parts of Mexico. They are predominately found in mixed hardwood areas. Areas with lots of brush, ranges close to agricultural areas or river valleys also make good habitats. The breeding season is the only time these foxes make use of dens. The gray fox can make a den out of holes abandoned by other mammals or dig its own into an embankment. Fallen logs or hollow trees may also be used by the fox.

    Diet

    • The common gray fox is considered an omnivore and an opportunistic feeder. In the winter and spring, their diet consists largely of small mammals like mice and rabbits. They also hunt and eat birds and insects. In the fall, gray foxes eat persimmons, acorns and a small amount of other types of fruits and nuts. They have even been known to eat fish.

    Life Cycle

    • Gray foxes breed from January until April. The same male and female pair often mate year after year. After a gestation period of about 53 days, females give birth to a litter. Litters of four are common. The baby foxes, called kits, are weaned around three months of age and begin learning how to hunt. Foxes live in these family units until the fall, when the offspring as well as the mother separate and live independently. Gray foxes live anywhere from six to 10 years in the wild, and can live up to 15 years in captivity.

    Interesting Facts

    • The gray fox is very similar to the red fox. They are distinguished by their coloring and also by their voices; the gray fox is much louder than the red fox, although the gray type is less vocal. Another distinguishing feature of this fox is its status as one of the few members of the dog family that can skillfully climb trees. They can chase prey up a trunk and may also use trees as a way to escape from their predators. Some gray foxes have been known to sleep in trees and even create dens in them.