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Gray Fox

Gray Fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest
Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)
Lifespan: 6-10 years

A primarily nocturnal animal with a gray back, white belly, a black stripe along its back and tail, and tawny neck, ears, and legs. Another black stripe crosses its face from the nose to the side of the head. Weighing up to 16 lbs., the Gray Fox is an agile fox that is easily able to scurry up and down trees, unlike other foxes.

Diet

Gray foxes are omnivorous preying on small vertebrates, fruit and invertebrates.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Mammalia
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Order: Carnivora
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Family: Canidae
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Genus: Urocyon
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Species: Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Scientific Name

Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Breeding Season
December-March
Lifespan
6-10 years

Tracks or Signs

Tracks or signs

Behavior

Gray foxes remain solitary for the majority of the year. During winter, gray foxes socialize with their mate and with their offspring after parturition. They are primarily nocturnal, but have been occasionally spotted during daytime.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Forest

Geographic Distribution

The species occurs throughout most rocky, wooded, brushy regions of the southern half of North America from southern Canada to the northern part of South America, excluding the mountains of northwestern United States.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

Threats & Impacts

Predation by coyotes and bobcats, habitat loss and interspecies competition

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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