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897 Featured Specimen
Gray fox

Details

Gray fox

Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Size
0.8–1.1 m · 3.6–7 kg
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Pair
Lifespan

Gray fox is a mammal associated with forests, grasslands and deserts. It is omnivorous and often found in pairs. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

Its range is represented here by the Nearctic and the Neotropics, where it uses forests, grasslands and deserts. Mobile species may shift habitat use with season, breeding sites, or food availability.

Appearance

Typical length 76-112 cm, weight 3.6 kg-7 kg. It has a long-bodied carnivore profile, with proportions shaped by its habitat and mode of movement.

Behavior

It is mostly active at night and often found in pairs. Spacing, group size, and visibility can change with season, feeding conditions, and breeding activity.

Feeding

It is omnivorous. Food choice and foraging style are tied to life in forests, grasslands and deserts, so movements often follow available food resources.

Reproduction

As a mammal, it gives birth to live young, and the mother nurses them in cover or within the social group.

Notes

Recorded scientifically as Urocyon cinereoargenteus. It remains widespread in parts of its range, but local habitat change still matters. In this guide, size, habitat, and activity pattern are useful first clues for recognition.