Red Fox -- 'Todd'

This is TODD, a Red Fox. Todd came to us from the Bidwell Rehabilitation and Nature Center in Chico. His age is unknown, althoug he is very young, less than one year. He was found running down the highway in Oroville, dehydrated and hungry. He cannot be released back into the wild because he is not a native species. He is doing very well here, and soon we're hoping he will be a hands-on animal.

Coloration of the red fox ranges from pale yellowish red to deep reddish brown on the upper parts and white, ashy or slate on the underside. The lower part of the legs is usually black and the tail usually has a white or black tip. They eyes of mature animals are yello. The nose is dark brown or black.

Red foxes are found throughout Canada, Alaska, almost all of the contiguous United States, all of Europe and Britain, and almost all of Asia, including Japan. There are also several populations in North Africa. They are the most widely distributed wild carnivores in the world. Red foxes were introduced into Australia in the 19th century. Red foxes utilize a wide range of habitats including forest, tundra, prairie, and farmland.

Red foxes are essentially omnivores, and will take any acceptable food that is available, including small rodents, rabbits, wild fruits and berries, and insects. They will also eat carrion. Red foxes store food and are very good at relocating these caches. Red foxes have a characteristic manner of hunting mice. The fox stands motionless, listening and watching intently for a mouse it has detected. It then leaps high and brings the forelimbs straight down forcibly to pin the mouse to the ground.

Red foxes use a variety of vocalizations to communicate, and have an excellent sense of vision, smell and touch. Red foxes are solitary animals and do not form packs.