General Information

The red fox is one of two species of fox in Ohio, the other being the grey fox. Red foxes typically live in wooded areas that also contain open brush lands. This species of fox was uncommon in the state of Ohio until after human settlement. When humans began to settle in this area and cut down trees for farmland, red foxes began to move into the area, as this is their preferred habitat. Red foxes are nocturnal and solitary for much of the year. Although they are monogamous, males and females only come together to breed and raise young. Once the young are mature enough to be on their own the parents will go their own separate ways until the start of the next breeding season.

Meet Our Red Fox

Currently, red fox, Scarlet, resides in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden (presented by KeyBank) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Lifespan

Wild: 2-4 years
Captivity: 10-12 years

Fun Facts

• The most common color coat for the red fox is a reddish-orange but red foxes do not have to be red. Less common, their coats can be black, grey, brown, silver or a combination of these. No matter what their main fur color, a red fox will always have the distinguishing white tip of fur on its tail.
• The red fox marks its territory with its very skunky smelling urine. Many people mistake the smell of fox urine for a skunk. 
• Red foxes are part of the canine family. They have an exceptional sense of smell and hearing to help them catch prey. They are able to detect low frequency sounds of small animals underground or under snow. They then pounce on or dig up that area to catch prey off guard.
• Red foxes live on a diet of small mammals, birds and plant matter (including various fruits, grasses, sedges and tubers).