FIELD BOOK OF MAMMALS 



General Description. — Resembling a small, sharp-nosed 

 Dog of slender build; ears large and erect; pupil of eye linear; 

 muzzle long and slender; tail long and bushy; claws fairly 

 long and sharp; pelage long and soft. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; slight seasonal variation; 

 occurring also in several color phases. 



Upperparts. — Bright golden yellowish, slightly darker 

 along mid-dorsal region, rump grizzled lightly with whitish; 



Fig. 33. Red Fox 



head reddish yellow, grizzled with whitish; forefeet to elbow 

 black; hind feet black; tail ^^ellowish, mixed with black, a 

 black spot on upper surface near base, tip white. 



Underparts. — White. 



Immature have blackish on muzzle and back of ears; dusky 

 on head and tail; very young dull yellowish brown or drab in 

 general color. 



Measurements. — Alales larger than females. Total length, 

 males, 41 inches; tail vertebrae, 16 inches; hind foot, 6.5 inches. 



Geographical Distribution. — Most of the United States and 

 Canada. 



Food. — Birds, small mammals, principally Mice, small 

 rodents and Rabbits, fruit and berries. 



Enemies. — Eagles, Wolves, Lynxes, Fishers; other carni- 

 vores also catch young Foxes. 



138 



