Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

The gray fox is the most common and widespread fox in California. Two unique characteristics of this fox are its ability to climb and their partially retractable claws. It is the only canine in America with the ability to climb, escaping predators or foraging for food by climbing trees. Generally secretive and primarily nocturnal, a gray fox may be seen foraging for food in dense forest cover. They travel mostly at night and do not form packs but may occasionally be seen in a small family group. The chief enemies of gray foxes are dogs, human and eagles.

Family:

Canidae (coyotes, dogs, foxes, jackals, and wolves)

Description:

This fox is silvery to steel gray with conspicuous patches of yellow, brown or white on the throat, along sides & legs; white underside. Darker hairs run down the back and along top of the tail. They are about the size of a dog. Size can vary greatly; 21 to 44 inches long including tail; tail can be 11 to 16 inches long. They weigh 12 to 13 pounds.

Habitat:

Gray foxes prefer to live in deciduous forests interspersed with brushy, woodland areas. Many populations thrive where woodlands and farmlands meet. Dens are found among boulders on rocky ridges, or in rock piles or hollow logs; may even den under farm buildings.

 Range:

This fox’s range spans from southern Canada to Venezuela and Columbia, excluding portions of the Great Plains and mountainous regions of northwestern United States and eastern coast of Central America.

Diet:

The gray fox is omnivorous, eating a variety of foods–small rodents, birds, berries, insects and fungi. Their ability to climb enables them to obtain a greater variety of food, but the bulk of their food consists of gophers, mice, wood rats and birds. Sometimes food is cached to be eaten later.

Breeding:

Gray foxes are solitary animals that socialize only during mating season. They are typically monogamous, although in rare cases polygamy and polyandry occur. For a short period of time after parturition, family groups consisting of male, female, and young exist. Male-female pairings form in the fall with breeding occurring in the winter. During October and September, attracting mates becomes more competitive and males usually display more aggression while retaining and defending mates. Breeding season varies with geographic region, elevation, and habitat quality. Breeding occurs in yearly cycles, beginning in January through late February, continuing into March. Gray fox give birth after about 2 months of gestation, peaking in April, with an average litter size of 3-4. Pups are typically weaned by 3 to 4 weeks, but may not be completely weaned until 6 weeks. Both genders are sexually mature by 10 months old  

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