FOX: Description

La Fox belongs to the order Carnivora, Canidae family. There Fox it is a medium-sized mammal (moreover very variable through its enormous distribution range). On average, an adult individual has a height at the withers that varies between 29 and 38 cm, and a body length, including tail, of 97-119 cm. The figure of the Fox it is easily identifiable: agile and slender build, thick and very long tail (measuring up to two thirds of the body length) and tapered muzzle. The hair has different shades of color, which vary both individually and seasonally. Dominant is the tawny brown tending to reddish color that occupies the upper parts of the body and the head, while the lower parts, the sides, the shoulders and the base of the ears are whitish-gray. The tail is reddish-brown with a white terminal tip. You can also observe the two chromatic phases "Silver fox"and "Fox crucigera": The first was selected in captivity and is encountered only occasionally in nature, the second shows a characteristic ornamental design consisting of a black dorsal stripe that stretches from head to tail, crossed at shoulder height by another stripe also 'it black (Boitani et al. 2003). During the mating period the Fox shows a close relationship between the sexes, which is abruptly interrupted and then reconstituted at the moment of the birth of the puppies. Both parents care for the offspring until weaning, but the exceptions to this pattern of behavior are notable. In some cases, packs of Fox consisting of a dominant male and 5-6 females, in which only the dominant female reproduces (Macdonald, 1987). There Fox it is sexually mature at the age of about 10 months, gestation lasts 52-53 days and ends with the birth of 3-8 offspring (Prigioni et al. 2001).

FOX: Habitat and distribution range

La Fox it is among the Canids one of the most adaptable to different environmental conditions, it can be found in environments ranging from subarctic tundras to forests, from plains to desert areas passing through urbanized areas. There Fox it occupies all suitable habitats between sea level and 3000 m, showing a population density that varies greatly according to the availability of food resources, dens and hiding places. The size of the areas used by a single Fox they vary a lot because they are strictly influenced by the quantity and dispersion of food resources. Research carried out on the diet shows that the Fox has a wide food spectrum: small mammals, birds, invertebrates but also fruit, berries and other foods of plant origin make up the diet of this Canid (Prigioni et al., 2001). Fox it is consequently the largest among all Canids, it includes all the continental territory from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, including some large cities such as Paris and London, which host stable colonies. In Italy the Fox it is distributed everywhere, even if it shows highly variable population densities depending on the nature of the habitats and the hunting collection (Boitani et al. 2003).

FOX: Size and trend of populations

La Fox it has never been subject to an exhaustive census including the Italian territory, however the species, starting from the 80s, has progressively regained large tracts of plains, and now occupies all suitable habitats. The populations of fox they seem to enjoy a good state of conservation and the most likely average density is around 1-2,5 foxes / km² in late winter, but higher values in restricted areas cannot be excluded (Boitani et al. 2003).

FOX: Conservation and management

La Fox it is not considered an endangered species, even if the populations are periodically and locally decimated by infectious diseases such as sylvan rabies (currently absent from the Italian territory) and sarcoptic mange. The high prolificacy of the Fox however, it allows numerical recoveries in a short time (Boitani et al. 2003). The management of the species of fox in Italy it is influenced by the concept of “harmful animal” as a predator of minor game. In fact, there are no specific investigations in this regard, and it seems that the highest densities are reached thanks to the great food availability represented by waste landfills. The culling of volpi with the aim of numerical control it was found to be useless, while demographic control is effective by means of the containment of food sources and health control through vaccinations.