Foxes are members of the Canidae family, meaning they are closely related to coyotes, wolves and domesticated dogs. Of the several species of fox, the two most common in North America are the gray fox and the red fox, with the red fox being by far the most common.

In North America, the red fox is found in the United States and Canada, from the east coast to the west coast and as far north as the Yukon Flats in Alaska. The gray fox, on the other hand, produces higher populations in the western United States, and it ranges from southern Canada to northern South America.

A red fox can vary in color from almost white to pale yellow to bright orange, to almost black, yet each will have a distinctive white tip on the end of their tail. The coat of the gray fox is most commonly a salt and pepper mix, but it too can vary widely in color. The red fox can be distinguished from the gray fox by the red fox's black feet. Another difference is that the red fox is normally slightly larger than the gray fox. Adult red foxes weigh on the average of about 15 pounds (7 kg), with the male of the species being slightly larger than the female.

Gray foxes are also distinguished from not only the red, but all other members of the dog family in that they are the only members of the family that can climb trees.

Foxes communicate through a variety of howls, screeches, whines, and growls, with each noise having a distinct meaning.

A female fox, called a vixen will give birth to an average litter of five babies, known as kits. After approximately a month in the den, the mother will take her young outside to begin exploring. At about age five weeks, the kits will be weaned and will begin to eat solid food provided by the adults. The kits normally fight over the food, to determine which individual is the strongest and thus the alpha kit. Thereafter, the alpha gets first choice and larger portions of the available food. As they age, the kits will venture farther and farther from the den. Males are more apt to leave the family and establish their own territories. However, because foxes generally mate for life, a family group may include several generations living nearby.

Credit: Ronald Laubenstein/US Fish and Wildlife Service
A red fox stands alert to its surroundings.

Credit: Jim Thiele/US Fish and Wildlife Service
A red fox poised to spring forward.

Credit: Dave Schaffer/US Fish and Wildlife ServiceA gray fox, pictured above, oftentimes resembles the red.>