What kind of shelter is used by a red fox?

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are versatile animals that can adapt to a variety of habitats. They typically create dens, which are underground burrows, to provide shelter and protection for themselves and their offspring.

Fox dens are usually located in areas with loose soil, such as sandy hillsides, forest edges, or abandoned burrows of other animals. Red foxes often modify these existing burrows or dig their own when suitable sites are available. The dens typically consist of multiple chambers and entrances, providing escape routes in case of danger. They can be quite extensive, with tunnels extending several meters.

These underground shelters offer protection from extreme weather conditions, predators, and disturbances. Red foxes use dens for raising their young during the breeding season, and as resting sites at other times. Dens also serve as storage places for food, as foxes sometimes cache excess prey near their shelters.

Red foxes may also occasionally use other forms of shelter, such as hollow logs, rock crevices, or dense vegetation, but underground dens generally provide the most comprehensive protection for these creatures.