Most people picture a fox as a tall, medium-sized creature with red fur. Although this is a fox, it’s not the only kind of fox. If you see this, you are probably picturing the red fox, the most widespread and common fox species. The arctic fox is one of the most beautiful species of fox. The arctic fox is a beautiful fox that can compete with the red fox.
What are the differences between these two species of a fox? What is the difference between these two fox species? Both of these questions will be answered before the end.
Visual Differences
A Quick Overview
Red Fox
- Adults are of average height at 14-20 inches
- Average Weight (adult): 10-30 pounds
- Average Length (adult): 3-5 feet
- Average Lifespan: 2-5 Years
Arctic Fox
- Adults are an average height of 10-12 inches
- Average Weight (adult): 8-15 pounds
- Average Length (adult): 2 – 3.5 feet
- Average Lifespan: 3-4 Years
Red Fox Overview
The most common and largest fox species, the red fox is the most widespread. These are the foxes most people associate with when they hear the word fox. Red foxes are what you see in movies like The Fox and the Hound.
Appearance
Red foxes, as you might have guessed from their name, are red. Although their fur is mostly red, there may be gray patches or black spots on the ears or body. White can also be found on the underside.
Size
Red foxes are the largest of all foxes. Their height is 20 inches at their shoulders, making them about the same size as a medium-sized dog. This would make a large dog, but most dogs are only 16 inches.
Red foxes are also quite heavy. While smaller arctic foxes may only weigh 10 to 15 pounds, larger ones can be up to 30 pounds.
Mating Habits
Monogamy is possible in some fox species, but it is not common for red foxes. A male may mate with one partner for the rest of their life, but he might also take on multiple partners. Females can also be observed being surrounded by males during mating seasons.
Habitat
Red foxes are as adaptable and diverse as any other animal. They can thrive and survive in all kinds of environments, including deserts, grasslands, and plains. This is why red foxes are the most widespread and widely distributed fox species. Red foxes can be found in almost all environments.
Arctic Fox Overview
Although all foxes can be cute, arctic foxes have an elegance few other animals in the animal kingdom can match. They aren’t as common or as large as red foxes and tend to stay in the northernmost regions. If you don’t live in an Arctic area, you won’t likely see one.
Appearance
The Arctic foxes can be easily distinguished from the red foxes and are immediately identifiable. Their all-white, elegant coat covers their entire body and covers their head. They blend seamlessly with the snow in the arctic environment where they live.
Size
Although all foxes can be considered small, arctic foxes tend to be smaller than red foxes. Some red foxes can be twice as tall as their arctic counterparts, with an average height of 10-12 inches at the shoulders. Large red foxes may weigh twice as much as even the largest arctic ones.
Mating Habits
Red foxes are known to be promiscuous but arctic foxes are more likely to be monogamous. They choose one partner and will mate for the rest of their lives. The fact that there are so many options for mating and they live far apart could explain this. Red foxes may be more free-loving than arctic foxes, but they aren’t as sociable.
Habitat
The Arctic Foxes only live in areas that receive a lot of snowfall. They are perfectly at home in a snowy environment so they will be there. They are most often found in areas too harsh and cold for other species of foxes.
Red foxes have moved north in recent years, taking over the habitat of arctic and arctic foxes. The confrontations between the red foxes and the smaller arctic ones end in defeat, which is starting to impact the arctic population.
FAQ
Are arctic foxes endangered?
The Red List is a listing of endangered and threatened species maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This is the best source of information about the extinction risks that various animal species face. According to the Red List, the arctic foxes fall under the “least concern” category.
Are red foxes considered an invasive species?
They are not considered an invasive species in countries with a native red fox population. Red foxes can be introduced artificially to many places, including Australia and the United States.
The spread of the foxes in Australia took only 100 years. This led to a decrease in the number of native species, such as marsupials and reptiles, rodents, and small mammals. Here, the red fox is considered an invasive species. They are also found in other areas where they have been introduced artificially, sometimes illegally.
Red foxes and Arctic foxes are monogamous?
It was long believed that all foxes were monogamous. Red foxes, however, have been shown to engage in non-monogamous behavior. Arctic foxes on the other hand seem monogamous in contrast to their red-furred counterparts.
Conclusion
Although they are both part of the same family, genus, and species, red foxes as well as arctic foxes can be considered to be one and the same species. These two fox species have many differences, including the color of their fur and their size. They are both beautiful displays of nature’s beauty, but red foxes can be a nuisance if they’re introduced to territories where they’re not natural.
Are red foxes more powerful than arctic foxes?
The red fox, the arctic fox’s close cousin, is the main competitor. “The red fox is making its way up the mountains, bigger and stronger than the arctic fox. It is not only a serious food competitor, but it can also take over arctic fox dens,” says Lundemo.
Red foxes are friendly?
Foxes are not dangerous and do not attack humans unless they are rabid, which is extremely rare, or are captured and handled. Even so, the natural tendency of a fox is to flee rather than fight.
Is it possible to train a red fox?
Foxes can be trained, but not in the same way that a dog can be. Dogs have been bred to value serving their humans above all else, whereas foxes have not. Training a fox takes a lot of time and effort.
Can a fox conceive a dog?
The short answer is no, they cannot. They simply lack compatible parts. (Of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t be friends: witness Juniper the Fox and Moose the Dog, above). The longer answer to why dog-fox hybrids cannot exist is that the two species have vastly different chromosome counts.
Do foxes consume cats?
Although it is uncommon, foxes will attack, kill, and even eat cats if they believe they are in danger. However, it’s also important to remember that cats can defend themselves! In most cases, the fox or cat will flee and seek another meal elsewhere, avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Which is more powerful, the wolf or the fox?
Is a fox more powerful than a wolf? No, the fox is about one-sixth the size of a wolf. The wolf’s larger size allows it to have more muscle and thus more strength.
Which is better, a fox or a dog?
Dogs, as opposed to foxes, have more muscular bodies. While both are canines, dogs have a stronger bite. Dogs have an advantage in one-on-one combat due to their stronger jaws, more muscle, and endurance.
What can a fox do?
Foxes are eaten by bears, mountain lions, eagles, and wolves. Foxes are eaten by animals such as bears, mountain lions, birds such as eagles, certain reptiles, wolves, and lynxes. Because of their large body sizes, only boas and pythons can eat foxes; other snakes generally cannot feed on animals the size of foxes.
Can a wolf outrun a hyena?
A hyena would defeat a wolf in a fight. The only discernible differences between these creatures are that the hyena is faster, heavier, and stronger than the wolf. They’re both roughly the same size and speed, but the fight will be decided by which creature can deal fatal damage.
Does the red fox hunt the arctic fox?
Yes, red foxes prey on arctic foxes, but they are not slaughtering their smaller arctic cousins to extinction.