Foxes in New Hampshire: Types and Where They Live

Foxes belong to the dog family, Canidae, taking their place alongside domesticated dogs, jackals, coyotes, and wolves. They are often set apart from their relatives by their small size, long, bushy tails, and flatter skulls. Many belong to the genus Vulpes and are considered “true foxes”, while others are less closely related.

At least one species of fox is present on every continent in the world except for Antarctica, highlighting the adaptability and success of the 23 extant species worldwide. Out of these species, four of them — the red fox, the gray fox, the arctic fox, and the kit fox — inhabit North America. Of these, there are two that call New Hampshire their home.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the fox species that live in the Granite State. We’ll find out what they look like, where they live, and how they’re classified.

What Kinds of Foxes Live in New Hampshire?

Two species are native to New Hampshire: the red fox, and the gray fox. They inhabit different parts of the state more frequently, although there are overlaps in their usual ranges.

Though they are both technically foxes, they possess qualities that show clearly that their ancestry is different. They are easy to distinguish from one another not only by appearance but also by their abilities and behaviors. We’ll talk more about them below.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is probably the species most people first picture when they are talking about foxes. It is also the most common of the foxes in New Hampshire.

These small canids are generally around 16 inches tall at maturity and measure around three feet in length from nose to tail tip. Healthy individuals will normally weigh between 8 and 15 pounds. Members of this species are usually a rusty, orange-red color and have bright white fur along the entire length of their undersides. They have bushy tails that terminate in a characteristic white tip.

While this coloration is the most common, red foxes may also present different color morphs. Some, referred to as silver foxes, will produce primarily gray and black fur over their whole bodies. Some produce primarily black fur and others that present a cross of both red and black morphs. These are often primarily red and have a dark band across their shoulders.

Habitat

The red fox is a very versatile animal. It has an incredibly large native range, appearing not only throughout New Hampshire but also across most of the United States. It is also native across Canada, most of Europe, and parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. The red fox can survive cold, northern winters with relative ease by growing out a long, thick coat in the winter months. In the summer, it sheds the excess insulation.

These solitary animals appear all across the state and are not restricted to any specific environment. They may make their homes in urban and suburban residential areas as well as in rural areas and remote wilderness. In the spring, from January to March, these usually solitary animals come together for the mating season. Pairs will create a maternity den where they will care for litters of up to 10 kits. After about seven months, as kits reach adulthood, families will disperse. Males tend to travel great distances, over 100 miles, from their birth home while females tend to remain closer.

Diet

This species feeds on a widely varied diet that consists not only of animal prey but a multitude of plant-based foods as well. Red foxes will forage for grains, berries, and larger fruits, as well as a variety of seeds and nuts. Once they have had their fill of food, they will continue to forage and create nearby caches where they will store the surplus for later.

These animals are as fast and agile as people say. When hunting for animal prey, the red fox can traverse the environment at top speeds of up to 45 mph! Their speed and agility help these nocturnal hunters capture a variety of insects, birds, and other smaller mammals.

Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is quite easy to distinguish from the red fox. Rather than a rusty red color, the fur of this fox species is largely peppered with gray, black, and white. These colors are present from the face and forehead, down the entire back and flank, and along the tail. The tail itself, like that of the red fox, is long and bushy. In contrast, however, it has a long, black stripe that runs along the ridge, which terminates in a black tip rather than a white one. The sides and underside of the body may be reddish, white, or buff. It is quite a bit smaller on average.

This fox species is unique in that it is the only North American canid that can climb trees. It does this using its sharp, retractable claws which can sink into the bark and wood of the tree. The red fox is unable to do this. Retractable claws are unique even from its closer, non-North American relatives, the bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) which share a more recent common ancestor!

Habitat

The gray fox has an expansive native range that extends from as far south as Colombia and Venezuela, throughout Central America, and northward into the majority of the United States. Though they will travel statewide, gray foxes in New Hampshire live primarily in the southern part of the state. While the red fox will spend its time in open areas, like fields and residential yards, the gray fox is a bit pickier about its stomping grounds. They prefer to spend much of their time in covered areas. Forest edges, undergrowth, and anywhere with plenty of brush, rocks, and snags are ideal environments for these animals.

Because they are adept climbers, gray foxes will, at times, rest and forage in the trees. When in danger from other predators, they can use their claws to ascend to safety. During the mating season, which occurs in the early spring, from January to April, these normally solitary foxes will pair up and create dens in the shelter of their environment. Log hollows, caves, trees, and even existing burrows are all suitable locations for raising their young. Once the litter departs from the den, the family will split up and return to their solitary lifestyles.

Diet

Like the red fox, the gray fox is also an omnivore. It subsists largely on other, smaller mammals such as mice, rats, voles, and rabbits. Throughout the summer months, plant hopping insects make up a substantial part of its diet as well. Because it can climb, it has an easier time catching nesting birds, as well as arboreal insects. This ability also aids in the harvesting of arboreal fruits and nuts, which, alongside other berries and vegetation, make up the remainder of its diet.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Randy G. Lubischer/Shutterstock.com