There are several animals that resemble foxes in appearance, but are actually completely different species. While they may look similar at first glance, upon closer inspection there are some key differences that set them apart from true foxes.
Maned Wolf
The maned wolf is often confused with foxes due to its reddish fur and bushy tail. However, the maned wolf is actually the only species in the genus Chrysocyon, meaning “golden dog.” It is found in South America in habitats like grasslands, scrub forest and wetlands.
Some ways the maned wolf differs from foxes:
- It has very long legs and stands over 3 feet tall at the shoulder
- Its fur is mostly reddish-brown with some black, but the legs are black and the chest is white
- The mane on the back of the neck is erectile and used for communication
- It has a distinctive odor due to the marking fluid it secretes
The maned wolf is omnivorous and solitary. Its diet consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, eggs and fruit. It also has a very unique vocalization described as a roar-bark.
Bat-eared Fox
The bat-eared fox lives in Africa and gets its name from its enormous ears, which can be up to 9 inches long. These large ears help dissipate excess body heat. The fur of the bat-eared fox ranges from greyish to reddish-brown in coloration.
Differences between the bat-eared fox and true foxes:
- It has black legs, a black muzzle and black markings on the ears
- The tail has a distinct black tip
- It has 48 teeth compared to 42 teeth in other foxes
- Omnivorous, but eats mainly insects like termites and beetles
The bat-eared fox is nocturnal and usually lives in mating pairs. They are highly social animals and communicate with various squeaks, growls and snorting noises.
Crab-eating Fox
The crab-eating fox, also known as the South American gray fox, lives in parts of Central and South America. As the name suggests, it eats crabs as part of its diet. The species has short legs and reddish-grey fur across the body. It resembles some fox species in appearance.
Key differences between crab-eating foxes and foxes:
- Slim build and short, rounded ears
- Coarse, shaggy fur that is greyish overall with some reddish tones
- Dark grey legs and black fur on the back of the ears
- Omnivorous; diet includes crabs, lizards, fruit and small invertebrates
The crab-eating fox is mostly solitary and nocturnal. It lives in dens dug near rivers, streams or mangroves. Vocalizations include short woofing barks.
Rüppell’s Fox
Rüppell’s fox is native to parts of northern Africa and the Middle East. It has sandy greyish-brown fur, a white underbelly and a bushy tail with a black tip. It is slimmer built than most foxes.
Traits that distinguish Rüppell’s fox from true foxes:
- Large ears up to 6 inches long
- Dark patches on the muzzle
- Black markings on the limbs and forehead
- Feeds on fruit, insects, small vertebrates and birds
Rüppell’s foxes are good jumpers and can leap up to 2 meters high. They are nocturnal and sleep during the day in hidden dens. These foxes live alone except when mating or raising young.
Corsac Fox
The corsac fox inhabits steppes, semi-deserts and deserts in parts of central and northeast Asia. It has pale grey fur with yellowish tints and pale undersides. It is smaller than most foxes.
How the corsac fox differs from true foxes:
- Small rounded ears
- Very dense fur to survive extreme temperatures
- Long bushy tail with black tip
- Feeds on rodents, birds and reptiles
Corsac foxes are excellent burrowers and build underground dens. They are nomadic and do not remain in one area for long. They hunt mainly at night or early morning.
Gray Fox
Despite the name, gray foxes have fur that is predominately grizzled gray and rusty red with black on the legs and underside. They live in deciduous forests, deserts and brushy areas of North America.
Differences between the gray fox and foxes:
- Salt-and-pepper coat with a rufous tint
- Black stripe running down the top of the tail
- Cat-like pupils instead of slit pupils
- Omnivorous; eats small mammals, birds, vegetation and fruit
A key feature of the gray fox is its ability to climb trees thanks to its semi-retractable claws. It sleeps in dens in hollow trees, rock crevices or abandoned burrows.
Conclusion
While foxes belong to the dog family Canidae, there are several canid species across different regions that resemble foxes due to convergent evolution. Upon closer inspection, they can be distinguished from true foxes by differences in size, proportion, fur coloration, diet, habitat and behavior. However, they occupy similar ecological niches as foxes as small to medium-sized omnivorous canids.