Fox Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Fox
  • Name: Fox
  • Family: Canidae
  • Total Genus: 6
  • Total Living Species: 24
  • Lifespan: Between 1 and 3 years (average)
  • Diet: Omnivorous
  • Weight: Between 1.5 and 20 pounds

17 Fox Facts for Kids

  1. Foxes are members of the Canidae family.
  2. There are 24 known living species of foxes on our planet.
  3. The 24 known living species of foxes belong to one of six genera.
  4. The six genres that a living species of fox can belong to are Canis, Cerdocyon, Lycalopex, Otocyon, Urocyn and Vulpes.
  5. The Vulpes genus are known as “true foxes” and it contains 12 species.
  6. The 12 species of the Vulpes genus are the Arctic fox, Bengal fox, Blanford’s fox, Cape fox, Corsac fox, Fennec fox, Kit fox, Pale fox, Rüppell’s fox, Red fox, Swift fox and Tibetan sand fox.
  7. The average weight of a fox varies between species. They can weigh as little as 1.5 pounds and as much as 20 pounds.
  8. The red fox (V. Vulpes) is the most recognizable and widespread fox species on our planet.
  9. Foxes are omnivores, they’ll eat just about anything.
  10. Foxes can retract their claws, just like a cat.
  11. A group of foxes is referred to as a leash or skulk.
  12. A male fox is referred to as a dog fox.
  13. A female fox is referred to as a vixen.
  14. A fox’s home or burrow is called a den.
  15. Unlike dogs and wolves, foxes are solitary animals and hunt alone.
  16. Foxes mate once a year and produce a litter of one to eleven pups.
  17. Did you know that Charles Darwin discovered a species of fox? It’s a small gray fox that he named Darwin’s fox.

Additional Resources on Foxes

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