FOX

RED TAIL FOX

Living in woodlands and county parks, most humans are surprised
when they see a fox in the wild. 

Most people living in New Jersey would be surprised to know we
share our territory with the 'Red Tail Fox'.

Sadly for many of us the only encounter we might have is to see a Red Tail Fox dead on the roadside. It's heartbreaking when we realize how the fox has adjusted to living beside humans for centuries. Now with new construction enclosing on their habitats and faster vehicles, the plight of the Red Tail Fox is more perilous than ever.

The life span of the red fox in the wild is two to four years.

Although I've never seen a "fox crossing" sign, as a general rule if you have rabbits in your area
you most likely have Red tail fox  also.  

Red foxes are about three feet long and two feet tall. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the red fox is the fluffy white-tipped tail. Red foxes have long snouts and red fur across the face, back, sides, and tail. Their throat, chin, and belly are grayish-white. Red foxes have black feet and black-tipped ears that are large and pointy.

Like a cat's tail, the fox's thick tail aids with balance, but it has other uses as well. A fox uses its tail, called a brush, as a warm cover in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicate with other foxes.

Red tail fox scent their territory to warn others of it's presence and to
find a mate. in winter. 

Foxes like all canines signal each other by making scent posts, urinating on trees or rocks to announce their presence.

If you are lucky enough to spot a Red Tail Fox it is easy to distinguish by sight from other members of the canine (dog) family. Please don't follow it or scare it away. They are justifiably scared of humans, their major predator, especially if they have young. 

Red foxes live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large urban communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

Both male and female fox care for their young all summer until they
go on their out to hunt on their own in the autumn.

Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. Foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms. If living among humans, foxes will opportunistically dine on garbage and pet food. Red foxes have excellent hearing. They can hear low-frequency sounds and rodents digging underground.

Fox, like all wild animals will fight ferociously to defend their
territory and their young.  

In winter, foxes meet to mate. The vixen (female) typically gives birth to a litter of 2 to 12 pups. At birth, red foxes are actually brown or gray. A new red coat usually grows in by the end of the first month, but some red foxes are golden, reddish-brown, silver, or even black. Both parents care for their young through the summer before they are able to strike out on their own in the fall.

The fox is the symbol of the Shinto god of prosperity, Inari.
In Japan, people make offerings at shrines dedicated to Inari in the hope of good fortune in career and business.

In mythology, lore and religions, the fox has been held in high esteem around the world from the time of ancient Egypt. The Red Tail Fox is usually depicted as clever and a cunning trickster, but seldom evil.

A member of the canine family this Egyptian god Horus, bares a strong resemblance to a fox.
Horus is the god of the sky.

Please NEVER feed or approach a fox. They are wild animals and their fear of humans is essential for survival. Once tamed a fox cannot be successfully returned to the wild.

Cute and adorable, young foxes need their natural fear of humans to survive in the wild.
  

Information for the Red Tail Fox from National Geographic                & the National Wildlife Federation  

Drive Safe,                                                                                               

James