Gray Fox

Quick Take

• Unlike almost every other canine, the gray fox has a skill that most people associate with an entirely different animal. See the climbing ability →
• This fox has a food storage trick so precise it uses a biological tool most people wouldn't think to use as a GPS. Explore the food storage behavior →
• The gray fox is considered the most 'primitive' canine alive, though that label means something very different than it sounds. Understand its primitive status →
• Its coat makes it less valuable to hunters than the red fox, but the reason why reveals something unexpected about both species. See the coat differences →

The gray fox is a small, shy member of the canine family that prefers to hide in shrubs and trees. This species may not be as well-known as its red-colored cousin, but it is abundant throughout most of North America. These animals are not usually seen by people because of their nocturnal behavior and furtive nature, but they have many amazing adaptations to cope with their environment. Habitat loss in some areas may be forcing them into closer proximity with people.

5 Incredible Facts

• The gray fox is believed to be the most “primitive” of the canines (such as foxes, dogs, and wolves). Primitive, in this case, simply means that it evolved earlier than other members of the canine family.
• One of the more unique adaptations is the combination of strong semi-retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allows it to climb trees with considerable skill. Dens have even been found in the lower canopies of trees.
• The gray fox will bury any leftover food in a hole for storage and then dig it up later. These animals will actually mark the spot with their urine so they can find the location again.
• There are some 16 recognized subspecies of the gray fox, including specific variants in New England, the eastern United States, the plains states, Panama, and South America.
• The gray fox can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour while running.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the gray fox is Urocyon cinereoargenteus. The genus name Urocyon (pronounced your-oh-SY-on) is the combination of two Greek words that roughly translate into “tailed dog.” Cinereoargenteus (pronounced roughly si-neh-ree-oh-ar-gen-tay-us) is a combination of two Latin words: cinereus, meaning “ash-colored,” and argenteus, meaning “silvery.”

The gray fox is one of six species of foxes in North America, but it and its closest relative, the island fox (which lives among the Channel Islands off the California coast), are the only members of the genus Urocyon, likely because their ancestors diverged from other canid species approximately 3.6 million years ago.

The red fox and most other types of foxes belong to the genus Vulpes, though some fox species, such as the fennec fox, have debated taxonomic placement and may be assigned to separate genera. Together, they form the family Canidae with wolves, dogs, and coyotes.

There are seven subspecies of gray fox recognized in North America and eight subspecies in Central and South America.

Appearance

The gray fox has many familiar fox-like characteristics such as a long body, a very bushy tail, and large, erect ears. But compared with the well-known red fox, the gray fox can be distinguished by the relatively short legs, a more cat-like snout, partially retractable claws, and wider ridges on the skull. The most distinguishing feature of this species, as the name suggests, is the coat of silvery gray fur. This is mixed with red around the chest and sides, white on the face and legs, and a black stripe down the tail.

Weighing between 7 and 14 pounds, the gray fox is about the same size as a small domesticated dog like the beagle or the bulldog. The body typically measures about 2 feet long, while the tail adds another 10 inches or so. Male foxes are slightly larger than females, but otherwise, they are physically the same except for the obvious sexual differences.

Behavior

The gray fox is a solitary species. Except when they congregate for the breeding season and then form family units to raise and care for the offspring, gray foxes do not normally tolerate other members of the same species. It maintains and defends a home range up to a few square miles in size.

In order to communicate, the gray fox relies heavily on its extraordinary sense of smell to identify marked territory, find good mates, and recognize other members of the species. Its supracaudal scent gland is the largest of any canine species in North America. Vocalizations are normally limited to loud barking, yapping, growling, or screaming sounds. Many of these sounds serve as warnings or mating calls. Posture is another key means by which the fox conveys social relations (such as dominance and submission) and mood. Finally, mutual grooming is performed in some social contexts to reinforce bonds and relationships.

The gray fox almost always sleeps during the day and leaves the den at night to hunt; only rarely does it hunt during the day as well. It will take up residence in hollow logs or trees, rocky crevices, and underground burrows near a body of water, preferring to use the same site year after year unless otherwise forced to leave by circumstances. Unlike most other canines, the gray fox has the amazing ability to climb trees by leaping into the branches or ascending the trunks. Its sharp, partially retractable claws can dig directly into the wood to support its entire weight. These adaptations help it survive and thrive in forested environments.

Habitat

The gray fox will inhabit just about any environment with heavy tree, rock, or brush cover. Although it prefers lower elevations, this species can be found in some hilly and mountainous areas, like the Adirondacks, at elevations beyond 3,000 feet above sea level. Its natural territory stretches from Canada in the north to Venezuela and Colombia in the south. The United States (excluding the mountainous northwest) and Mexico are its main homes. They almost always prefer to live along the banks of streams or rivers.

Predators and Threats

A seasoned survivor, the gray fox has only a few natural predators and threats in the wild. It has historically been hunted by humans both for sport and for the quality of its pelt, but because the coat is short and coarse, it is generally less desirable than the softer fur of the red fox. Another potential threat is that the loss of habitat in some areas may reduce the amount of tree or brush cover that provides the fox with protection. Fortunately, forest cover in the United States is generally stable or even increasing, but local deforestation may disrupt the habitat of some gray fox subspecies.

What Eats the Gray Fox?

The gray fox is primarily preyed upon by bobcats, coyotes, golden eagles, and great-horned owls. They escape predators by hiding under cover or even climbing trees.

What Does the Gray Fox Eat?

One of the more interesting facts that many people may not know is that the gray fox is an omnivorous species. Rabbits, mice, rats, birds, and insects (like grasshoppers and butterflies) form the most substantial part of their diet; they are less likely to raid chicken coops like the red fox cousin. As the weather warms up, they rely even more on fruits like berries and apples, with a mixture of some nuts and grains. If nothing else is available, they will readily eat carrion left behind by other predators. The gray fox plays an important role in the local ecosystem by controlling rodent populations.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The annual mating season for the gray fox usually begins in late winter to early spring. When it attempts to find a mate, the male will become much more aggressive and compete with other males for the affection of females. Evidence strongly suggests that this species forms monogamous pair bonds that may last for one or even multiple breeding seasons. In rare cases, gray foxes are not monogamous at all. They will have multiple partners in the mating season, but it’s not clear what triggers this behavior.

Once they’ve paired up, breeding always takes place between the months of December and March, depending on the location and the quality of the habitat. Males will perform most of the hunting, while the female will search for a den and prepare for birth. After about two months of pregnancy, she will produce a litter of up to seven kits at a time. Covered in dark black fur, the newborn kits are completely blind and helpless and weigh only about 86 grams. The mother will feed the kits with her milk until they are about two to six weeks old.

In the ensuing months, the kits will learn valuable hunting and survival skills, such as stalking and pouncing, from the father, but they will continue to rely on their parents for defense until they are about 10 months old, after which they will become truly independent and sexually mature. The gray fox has a relatively short wild lifespan of six to eight years. The oldest known member of the species lived 12 years in captivity.

Population

The gray fox is currently classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List. Population estimates are not available, but available data suggest that current population numbers are stable. No particular conservation efforts are currently needed for this species.