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Fast Facts:

  • The Gray Fox is sometimes called the Tree Fox because it climbs trees to rest, feed or hide from predators.

  • Males are called dogs and females are vixens.

Gray Fox

Scientific Name Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae
Status Stable
Range North America, Central America and the northern tip of South America
Habitat Deciduous woodlands
Diet Small mammals
Size Length: 2-2.5 feet with a tail that measure 4-12 inches
Weight: 5-15 pounds
Lifespan 12 years
Location
Print Fact Sheet Gray Fox

Special Features

  • Their short, powerful legs give them balance and agility. The back claws help push them up the tree while the front legs grip the sides of the trunk similar to a cat.
  • The long bushy tail balances the Gray fox as it leaps from branch to branch. They differ from the Red Fox because they have a black tip on its tail.
  • They have oval shaped pupils instead of the slit-shaped ones that are common to most other foxes.
  • It has good night vision and hearing.
  • Their calls are often confused with those of the coyote.


Social Structure & Behavior

This shy fox hides at the slightest disturbance. They are slow runners on the ground and must use their camouflage to surprise their prey.

Reproduction
Pairs mate for life. Sexual maturity at 10-12 months. Gestation is 60-63 days. Litter size is 2-7 with both parents raising the kits. Kits are weaned at 6 weeks.

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