Red Fox Vulpus vulpus

The familiar red fox, with its reddish-brown fur, bushy white-tipped tail, and large pointed ears, is a common animal that is highly adaptable to either urban or countryside environments. These resilient creatures – which are far from extinction - are often spotted at night, as they skulk down side-streets, cross main roads and raid the bins of their human neighbours.

Conservation status in Norfolk

Foxes are common and widely distributed so don’t have any formal protected status. However, it is now illegal to hunt foxes with dogs or to trap them with self-locking snares.

Click to see the Biodiversity Action Plan Species for this species

How to help

If you have foxes in your local area and you suspect they may be breeding close by, try not to disturb them. Hopefully you will be rewarded by being able to watch the cubs play in your garden in the spring.

Adopt me today and help ensure my future!

Philip Hoare

Information on the Red Fox

How to recognise

Red foxes are about the size of a small dog with an approximate length of 60-80cm. They have a warm red-brown coat which darkens in the lower leg and feet and behind the ears. The white underside extends up the throat and around the muzzle. The thick, white-tipped bushy tail is around 40cm long. Red foxes have large pointed ears and a thin pointed nose. They mark their territory with urine and faeces which leaves a very strong distinctive scent. Red foxes are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide range of food including rabbits and other small mammals, fruit and berries, earthworms and other invertebrates. They will also scavenge from carcasses of dead animals and will raid rubbish bins for household scraps. This species is highly adaptable and is resident in urban as well as countryside environments. A foxes den – called an Earth – is either purpose dug, or commonly the disused home of other animals. In urban areas they may make their home under a garden shed or in a disused basement.

Where to see

The red fox is a highly adaptable species which is widespread and common in Norfolk. It can be found in almost all habitats and has now become a familiar sight in towns and even in central Norwich. Foxes hold territories usually consisting of a dog and vixen and their cubs. These territories will vary in size depending on the habitat and availability of food.

When to see

All year round. In Norfolk the breeding season is usually between December and February and during this period the animals become more vocal and their hoarse barking may be heard at night. Cubs are born from March – May and with careful approach may be observed playing during the spring. Foxes generally are more active at night and will come to a regular food supply put out in gardens. However, they are more often seen by chance at night, crossing roads or slinking along suburban pavements.

Did you know?

Foxes don’t waste food and will actually collect surplus supplies and bury it to eat later.

Finding out more

The Peoples Trust for Endangered Species

In this section