Animal Foxes Research Paper

The European red fox (vulpes vulpes), is a highly adaptable, opportunistic omnivorous mammal characterised by its big ears, bushy tail and reddish-brown coats. The red fox is an introduced pest specie in Australia, originating in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa. The red fox was brought to Australia for by British colonies for recreational hunting as early as 1855 and from then the fox rapidly spread across the southern area's of Australia, except for Tasmania, coinciding with the distribution rabbits, as they are the key prey of the red fox. Within 20 years, the red fox had achieved pest status in Australia. This species rapid spread was reliant on the lack of natural predators in Australian, only having only the dingoes and Tasmanian devil to compete for food in certain areas like Tasmania, where the fox populations seem to be supressed. Their introduction has been the reason for the extinction and decline of many native Australian species, especially terrestrial mammals including the Long-nosed

Among the many species that live on the tundra, there is the arctic fox (scientific name alopex lagopus). Staying within the tundra (both arctic and alpine) biome, the arctic fox can be found in parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Svalbard, and Alaska. Arctic foxes are known for their small furry bodies that are covered by a thick white or blue-gray coat, short pointy ears, and bushy tails. Their coloring actually allows them to camouflage into the ice, snow, and will change to a brown/gray during the summer in order to continue camouflaging. This in turn helps them with their predatory nature.

The wolverine, no not the popular Marvel Comics X-Men, but the Gulo gulo or their North American subspecies Gulo luscus. It is the largest member of the weasel family and very possibly the most ferocious. The wolverine looks very similar to a small bear and one of their many nicknames happen to be devil bear. They are of the Mutelidae family which consists of animals like the weasel, otter, mink, badger, and more. Adult wolverine’s weight ranges between twenty to fifty-five pounds, around the size of a medium sized dog. They vary in length anywhere between two to three and a half feet. The females of the species are most often thirty percent smaller than the males. They have very thick, dark oily fur and it is hydrophobic, which prevents

The animal I was given for this assignment was the Channel Island Fox. They are considered to be near extinction animals with nearly about 2,500 fox left (last checked 2008). The Channel Island Fox is a type of fox that only lives on the Channel Islands, which is located around the coast of Southern California in about 19 to 61 miles away from the continental state. On a clear day in California, many visitors have the chance to see the islands over the shores. Within the eight islands, only six of the islands have the Channel Island Fox on their land. The six islands are San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina, San Nicolas and San Clemente. Each island has different features which has given each island fox a different trait compared to each one, but they are still considered as Island Fox.

Swift foxes are usually found in prairies. The swift fox is a small fox around the size of a domestic housecat, and is found in the western grasslands of North America, such as Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. They feed on rabbits, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, mice, reptiles,

Kit foxes, also called Vulpes Macrotis are among the smallest foxes in America. The kit fox is very easily mistaken for a dog however when you look at their appearance you realize that proportions are not that of a dog's. Many people often confuse the kit fox with its larger cousin, the grey desert fox.

The American mink breed by the male biting the female on the neck and pinning her down with his forefeet mating normally goes for 10 mins- 4 hours. Mating season is in

Wolves live, travel and hunt in packs of 7 to 8 wolves normally. wolves may howl to assemble their pack, to claim territory, to warn intruders away from a home site or kill, or to identify other wolves

Arctic fox is the smallest member of canine family. There are 5 subspecies of arctic fox that inhabit tundra throughout the Arctic Circle. Arctic fox can be found in Iceland, Greenland, Northern Europe, Russia, Canada and Alaska. These animals are numerous everywhere, except in Scandinavia. They were overhunted in the past because of their beautiful pelt. Even though arctic foxes are protected by law today, their number still drops due to climate changes and because of the expansion of the range of red fox (it hunts the same prey like arctic fox).

Packs include the alpha pair (mother and father), their pups, and older offspring and have strong social bonds with each other. The alpha male and female are typically the ones to track and hunt prey chose den sites and establish pack territory. To be successful, wolves have a strong communication system ranging from barks and whine to growls and howls. They communicate with each other by visual signaling like facial expressions, body position, tail positions to vocalizations and scent markings. Howling helps the pack stay in contact and also seems to strengthen social

A pack's hierarchy can be seen in wolves body language. Dominant wolves stand erect, tails held high and ears pointed up. Gray wolves spend their days traveling, relaxing, and

The wolves' habit of hunting in packs has resulted in the development of complex patterns of social behavior. Wolves are gregarious: they not only hunt in packs or groups but live most of their lives with other wolves. Studies in Alaska, Minnesota, Michigan , and parts of Canada show that a family made up of male, female, and pups is the basic pack unit. Other adults are pups of previous years or, more rarely, adults from other packs. Adolescent

They have a long, thick fur coat to protect them from the cold. Their coat also wraps all around the fox’s body to “Minimize surface area that is exposed to the cold air”. Their fur changes color depending on the season, in the winter the coat is white to blend in with the snow and in the summer it can be brown,cream, or gray. They also have small ears, a short muzzle, and short legs to conserve body heat. Lastly the Arctic fox has heavy fur on their paws therefore the can walk on snow and ice.

According to Wikipedia, red foxes have reddish-brown fur that varies in colors from rust red to black. They have tails that are as long as their body, and in some cases, longer. The tail is called a ‘brush’ and they use it like a blanket to cover themselves to keep warm. Their eyes are usually brown, amber, or greenish-yellow. Unlike other members of the canine family, they have slitted pupils like a cat’s. Red foxes are 18-35 inches when fully grown, and their legs are stubby for a creature of their length. Did you know that fox dens are called earths? Also, males foxes are called dogs and a group of foxes is called a skulk.

Rabbits are very well adapted to living in their habitat which can be fields or woodland they are a brownish colour this means it is hard for foxes to spot them thier long ears help them to hear predator coming when this happens they run away fast on their strong legs they are herbivores so they have flat teeth to rinnd their food they eat grass leave and