Vulpes Vulpes Abietorum

dnaoodb: professional biology database , biology encyclopedia

in biology, Vulpes Vulpes Abietorum (Alias:British Columbia Red Fox) is the largest of the true foxes and one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, being present across the entire Northern Hemisphere including most of North America, Europe and Asia, plus parts of North Africa. The adult body length is 62-72 cm, the shoulder height is 40 cm, the tail length is 20-40 cm, and the weight is 5-7 kg. The back is brownish gray or brownish red, the belly is white or yellowish white, the tail tip is white, the back of the ears is black or dark brown, and the black stripes on the outside of the limbs extend to the feet. Males are slightly larger. Red foxes have well-developed senses of hearing and smell, are cunning and agile in action. Likes to do activities alone. Hunts at night. They usually come out at night and sleep in caves during the day. Their long tails protect against moisture and keep warm. However, in remote places, they sometimes come out to look for food during the day. Although its legs and feet are short, its claws are very sharp and it can run very fast. It can reach speeds of more than 50 kilometers per hour when chasing prey. It is also good at swimming and climbing trees. They mainly feed on marmots and rats, but also eat wild birds, frogs, fish, insects, etc., as well as various wild fruits and crops.

British Columbia Red Fox has a body length of 50-90 cm, a tail length of 30-60 cm, and a weight of 5-10 kg. The body is slender. The snout is pointed and long, the nasal bones are slender, the front of the frontal bone is gentle, with a narrow groove in the middle, and the ears are large, high, pointed, and upright. The female animal is slightly smaller than the male animal. The coat color on the back of the body varies, but the typical coat color is auburn, but there are slight variations. The head is generally grey-brown, the back of the ears is black or dark brown, the lips, chin and front chest are dark white, the sides of the body are slightly yellow, the abdomen is white or yellow, the color of the limbs is slightly darker than the back, and there are It has dark brown stripes of varying widths, fluffy tail hair, and a white tail tip.

They live in forests, shrubs, grasslands, deserts, hills, mountains, tundra and other environments, and sometimes live in the suburbs of cities. It likes to live in caves, tree holes or rock crevices, and sometimes occupies the nests of rabbits, badgers and other animals. In winter, water vapor emerges from the cave entrance, and there is obvious frost, as well as scattered footprints, urine and feces, etc. In summer, there is new soil dug out around the entrance of the cave, with obvious footprints on it and a very strong smell of fox smell. However, its residence is often not fixed, and except for the breeding period and the period of raising young, it usually lives alone. They usually come out at night and sleep in caves during the day. Their long tails protect against moisture and keep warm. However, in remote places, they sometimes come out to look for food during the day. Although its legs and feet are short, its claws are very sharp and it can run very fast. It can reach speeds of more than 50 kilometers per hour when chasing prey. It is also good at swimming and climbing trees.

Distributed in western Canada, Stewart Lake, British Columbia, southeastern Alaska, southeastern Yukon, Mackenzie District, Alberta, McMurray, and the Athabasca River.

Red foxes come into estrus and mate from December to February every year. At this time, fierce battles for mates will occur between the male animals. During courtship, male and female animals are attracted to each other through the musk-like smell emitted from their urine. The male animals who are lured by the female will make weird and terrifying screams and perform a complicated courtship method. Not only do male animals take part in raising their offspring, but they also start preparing caves before the female animals give birth, and go out to help forage for food. The female's gestation period is about 2-3 months, and she gives birth in a hole in the earth or a tree hole between March and April. There are usually 5-6 cubs in each litter, and up to 13 cubs. When the cubs are born, the male The beast always stays next to the female. Newborn cubs have black and short fur, are weak and weigh about 60-90 grams. They do not open their eyes until 14-18 days after birth. During this period, the female animals raise and take care of them carefully and never leave. Food is provided by male animals, and the entire lactation period is about 45 days. The cubs like to bask in the sun at the entrance of the cave, and they grow very quickly. Their weight reaches 1 kilogram at about one month old, and they can move out of the cave. The male beast is even busier at this time, not only for the female beast, but also for the fast-growing baby. The cubs provide food. If the female animal dies at this time, the male animal will have to take on the task of raising the offspring alone. Half a year later, the grown-up cubs leave the female and begin to live independently. They reach sexual maturity in 9-10 months and have a lifespan of about 12-14 years.