Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

http://animal.discovery.com/mammals/fox/

The red fox has a long muzzle and long ears. Its rusty red fur includes a bushy tail with a white tip but black ears & feet. Although the red fox originated in North America, the subspecies in Kansas is believed to have descended from foxes brought to North America by British settlers for fox hunting (vulpes vulpes regalis). It is most common in the eastern third of Kansas where it occupies its range for life (perhaps

6-9 years) but has also spread into western Kansas and occupies every county in the state. The red fox avoids open terrain and prefers woodlands but croplands and urban fringes are appealing also. Their dens are 3-4 feet below ground and connected to several tunnels. They can be seen a couple of hours before sundown or after sunrise but are mostly nocturnal. Their primary food source consists of cottontail rabbits, mice and voles; but they also eat fruits, berries, insects, ground-nesting birds & their eggs plus carrion.