GRAY FOX

The gray fox from a distance can be mistaken as a red fox or even a coyote. Something to look for to distinguish a gray fox is the black stripe down its back and tail. Gray foxes have a black tip to their tails unlike the red fox which has a white tip. Another thing to look for is that they can be gray with a red chest. They live in forests, woodlands, and fields and are mostly nocturnal. They average in weight between 6 and 15 pounds with the male being larger than the female. The gray fox is the only member of the dog family that can climb trees. Foxes give off an odor that smells similar like to a skunk by their sweat glands but their urine has a similar smell. Unlike a skunk who uses their smell to spray at predators, they use the smell to mark their territory.

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Brook Maier

Gray Fox

Wildlife Science Center

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