gray fox

• by Bonnie123

  I classified this as a Gray Fox. Based on the classification info that was posted in CWW, Red Foxes have white tips at the end of their tails and Gray Foxes have dark tail tips. Red foxes have dark coloration on their feet and legs, this one has some but it does not go up as high on the legs. It states Gray Foxes have thick black hairs along the upper part of the tail, which this one has. It also states that Red Foxes have longer legs, and Gray Foxes have shorter legs and are stockier.

  Since Gray Foxes are so rare, could one of the scientist look at this picture and let us know.

  Here is a link to a picture I found of a Gray Fox at night, look at the tail outline it matches this one.
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_fox#/media/File:Greyfox.jpg

  Thanks so much!

  Posted May 7, 2015 5:01 AM

• by mason_UWI scientist

  Unfortunately, gray fox do not have black on the back sides of their ears nor do they have black on their legs. As ForestPreserve indicated in his comments, this is likely a juvenile red fox. Sometimes individuals of a species may have characteristics that differ slightly from 'what' they should actually look like (e.g. legs not fully black), and the likelihood of this happening generally increases if the individual is young. Given this, the bits of information that the photo does provide makes it more likely that the individual is a red fox. Canids are tough, I hope this helps!

  -Mason

  Posted May 7, 2015 1:14 PM

• by Bonnie123

  Thank You!

  Posted May 7, 2015 5:59 PM

• by ForestPreserve moderator

  I found this page with lots of great images of gray fox and tips on to tell gray from red:

  http://commons.trincoll.edu/compostvisitation/mammals/gray-fox-urocyon-cinereoargenteus/

  This page is part of a project that identifies compost heap visitors in eastern Connecticut. The goal is to determine whether adding tables scraps to the compost attracts more animal visitors.

  http://commons.trincoll.edu/compostvisitation/

  Posted May 8, 2015 6:58 AM

• by DZM admin

  It would be very cool if we found an actual gray fox. Hasn't the science team said that in their whole time doing this, they've seen exactly ONE? 😃

  Posted May 8, 2015 3:17 PM

• by mason_UWI scientist

  In all of of photos that we have entered, yes, only one gray fox.

  Posted May 8, 2015 5:01 PM

• by ForestPreserve moderator

  The CWW description says gray foxes "typically sleep during the day at very rocky locations", so I guess the Nutmeg State wins habitat-wise.

  Posted May 8, 2015 5:30 PM

• by ForestPreserve moderator

  See also this one I posted in help:

  http://commons.trincoll.edu/compostvisitation/mammals/gray-fox-urocyon-cinereoargenteus/

  Posted May 10, 2015 6:08 PM

• by mason_UWI scientist

  That's great ForestPreserve, thanks for finding this!

  Posted May 11, 2015 2:40 PM

• by ForestPreserve moderator

  Oops, I merged two gray fox threads, and lost the image bonnie123 referred to in her original post: ACH000ds47

  Posted May 12, 2015 8:45 PM

• by ForestPreserve moderator

  Almost forgot about this gray fox, which was kind enough to hold still for a photo.

  

  From the Ottawa County Nature Education Center, West Olive Michigan.

  Posted January 11, 2016 8:19 PM