Is There a Difference in Color of Male & Female Foxes?

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes, or purebred foxes. In general no colour difference exists between male and female foxes, called vixens. Red fox fur is especially prized in the fur industry because the colour of the fur ranges from golden blond, copper brown, silver-grey or mottled to solid black.

At birth, a red fox is brown or grey. The newborn red fox is called a "kit," though they are often referred to as "pups." For both male and female red foxes, the traditional, copper red coat usually grows in by the end of the first month. The vixen usually gives birth to a litter of two to 12 kits.

The red fox's body has mostly reddish fur, but other parts of the body display different colours. Males and females may have red, black or brow fur instead of the red colour. Black fur covers the paws, the area behind the pointed ears and around the nose.

Male foxes and females foxes are generally the same in size, though the male is slightly larger. The average male red fox weighs 5.44 to 6.8 Kilogram at maturity, while the female weighs 10 to 12 pounds. While variations and anomalies in size and colouring range throughout the Vulpes vuples family, male and female are only distinguishable by their sex organs, minor size differences and sometimes the vixen's smaller skull size.

Foxes are omnivores, which means they both eat plants and animals. Foxes eat anything from field mice to insects, thrown away human food and berries. Foxes are skilful and persistent hunters. Both the female and male foxes have acute hearing capabilities, like a dog, which allows them to listen for the exact location of prey before they pounce gracefully on the victim. Foxes can even hear an animal like a mouse underground and know where to find it.