The nocturnal canine recognizable by its bushy tail and reddish fur is the red fox. Its typical coat is rusty or reddish on the upper body, with darker legs, a pale underside, and a prominent bushy tail called a brush.
The red fox is the world’s most widely distributed fox species, occurring across much of the Northern Hemisphere and in regions where it has been introduced, including Australia. It is adaptable and can live in forests, farmland, deserts, mountains, suburbs, and cities. Although often active at night, red foxes may also hunt during daylight, especially where human disturbance is low.
The tail is useful for more than identification. It helps with balance while running, provides warmth when wrapped around the body, and contributes to visual communication. Red foxes are opportunistic omnivores, eating rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, fruit, and carrion.
Red foxes are commonly confused with gray foxes and coyotes. Gray foxes usually have grizzled gray coats and can climb trees, while coyotes are larger, longer-legged canids with a more dog-like build. The red fox’s scientific name is Vulpes vulpes, and its coat also occurs in silver, black, and cross color morphs.