Red Fox

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Red Fox
Red Fox

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Mainly nocturnal. During the day sleeps in dens, logs or other forms of shelter. Can breed from 1 year of age. Litters, averaging 4 cubs, are born during August and September, and emerge from the den in late spring. The cubs leave the family territory in late summer or autumn.

Details Description
Type
Mammal
Group
Placental
Identifying Characteristics

Body red or sandy coloured, black legs. White chin and throat. Tail thick and often white at the tip. Body up to 74 cm, tail up to 45 cm.
Distinctive Markings

Red-brown fur, white chin and neck, black feet, thick tail.
Diet

Carnivore and scavenger. Hunts rabbits and native animals, and also feeds on insects and fruits when other food is scarce. Preys on newborn lambs, kid goats and poultry.
Habitat

Most areas, including urban and agricultural areas.
Native Status
Introduced
Sounds
High pitched bark and scream, particularly during the breeding season.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Vulpes
Species
vulpes
Red Fox
Throughout Australia, including western Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

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