![]() Foxes may use several hides and do not necessarily return to the same site each day.įox social behaviour is limited to the rearing of cubs, with a strong social structure being developed during the breeding season. These hides include hollow logs or trees, enlarged rabbit burrows or dense undergrowth. They also occupy well-defined home ranges that are marked with scents such as urine, droppings and anal gland secretions, as well as behaviours including confrontation (aggressive and non-aggressive) and vocalisations.įoxes will travel beyond their home range to congregate where seasonal food is abundant, such as lambing flocks or migratory bird breeding colonies.įoxes may travel up to 10 to 15km per night but often rest in hides during the day. ![]() Behaviourįoxes are primarily nocturnal (night-time) hunters, being most active from dusk until dawn. While their size often varies, males typically weigh 4 to 8 kilograms and females 4 to 6 kilograms. Foxes have a narrow chest, long legs and have long, high-set, moveable claws which remain sharp and make foxes excellent climbers and burrowers. They commonly have a distinct white tip on their tail, but sometimes it may be black or dark red. They are usually reddish-brown above with a whitish/grey chin, chest and belly. Red foxes have big ears, a bushy tail, and variable coat colours and patterns. There are 21 different species of fox found throughout the world, but only red foxes occur in Australia. In Melbourne, there are as many as 16 foxes per km 2, while in temperate agricultural areas their densities are estimated to be around 4–8 per km 2. Population density in Victoriaįox densities are often higher in urban areas than they are in rural areas due to the abundance of food, water and shelter. Victorian habitats are highly favourable for foxes. In Victoria, foxes are found in a range of environments including urban areas, alpine heaths, rainforests, coasts and the Mallee. They have also been reported to occur in Tasmania. Distribution in Victoriaįoxes are found in all mainland states and territories. Today foxes occur over 75% of Australia and their distribution is strongly linked with that of rabbits. Within 100 years, foxes had reached their current distribution on the Australian mainland. Only 20 years after their introduction, foxes had been declared as a pest species in the state of Victoria. Populations History of spreadįoxes were introduced into Australia, for sporting purposes, in 1855 with most releases being around Melbourne. Read more about the invasive animal classification. Other common name/s: European red fox, foxįoxes are an established pest animal in the state of Victoria.
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