Foxes are mammals that belong to several genera of the Canidae family. There are 37 species of foxes, which are found on every continent except Antarctica. Foxes come in a wide range of sizes, from the small Fennec fox that weighs just 1-2 kg, to much larger species like the Red fox which can weigh up to 14 kg. When it comes to the largest fox breed, most sources point to either the Gray fox or the Red fox. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the key characteristics, size, and habits of these two giant fox species to determine which one is truly the largest.
Key Facts About Gray Foxes
The Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is the largest species of the genus Urocyon, which also includes the Island fox, a dwarf fox species only found on 6 of the Channel Islands off the coast of Southern California. Here are some quick facts about Gray foxes:
– Average weight: 3.6 to 7 kg (8 to 16 lbs)
– Shoulder height: 38-50 cm (15-20 in)
– Body length: 70-112 cm (28-44 in)
– Average lifespan: 10 years in the wild
– Habitat: woodlands, forest edges, thickets
– Diet: rodents, rabbits, birds, fruits, insects, eggs
– Geographic range: most of North and Central America
The Gray fox has thick fur that varies in color from gray to black mixed with white, red, or brown. It has a black stripe running down the top of its tail, which it uses for balance when climbing trees to escape predators. The Gray fox is primarily nocturnal and solitary.
Key Facts About Red Foxes
The Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest species of the genus Vulpes, which consists of 12 true foxes. Here are some key details about Red foxes:
– Average weight:
| Sex | Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Male | 5 to 10 kg (11 to 22 lbs) |
| Female | 3 to 7 kg (7 to 15 lbs) |
– Shoulder height: 35-50 cm (14-20 in)
– Body length: 90-112 cm (35-44 in)
– Average lifespan: 2 to 5 years in the wild
– Habitat: forests, grasslands, mountains, deserts
– Diet: small mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates, fruit, vegetables
– Geographic range: widest natural distribution of any land mammal, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, Australia
The Red fox has long slender legs, pointed ears, and a large bushy tail with white tip. The fur color varies from red to brown mixed with white. This highly adaptable fox has the widest distribution of any carnivore. The Red fox is mainly nocturnal and usually solitary.
Comparing the Gray Fox and Red Fox
Now that we’ve outlined some key traits, let’s directly compare the size of the Gray fox and Red fox:
– Average weight – The male Red fox averages 6.5 kg compared to the male Gray fox which averages 5 kg. Female Red foxes weigh about 4.5 kg on average versus 3 kg for the female Gray fox. So in terms of weight, Red foxes are noticeably larger.
– Shoulder height – The typical shoulder height range overlaps a fair amount between the species. Red foxes tend to be on the taller end at around 38-50 cm compared to 35-43 cm for Gray foxes.
– Body length – An adult Red fox is around 90-112 cm long from head to tail. The Gray fox measures 70-112 cm in length. So their size ranges overlap significantly. However, the Red fox is more likely to be at the upper end of the range.
– Distribution & habitat – Red foxes have the widest distribution of any land mammal including more northern areas of Canada, Europe, and Asia with colder climates. Gray foxes live in more temperate mixed forests and do not range as far north.
So in summary, while these species have considerable overlap in their physical size, the Red fox tends to be slightly larger on average than the Gray fox in terms of weight, shoulder height, and body length. The Red fox also has a natural distribution range spanning colder northern climates. For these reasons, the Red fox can be considered the largest species of fox in the world.
Largest Examples of Gray and Red Foxes
While the Red fox is bigger on average, occasionally there are Gray foxes and Red foxes that reach exceptionally large sizes. Here are some records for the largest individuals of these fox species:
Largest Gray Fox
– A very large male Gray fox was recorded in Alabama with a weight of 7.7 kg (17 lbs).
– The heaviest Gray fox on record weighed 8.2 kg (18 lbs), although the location is unknown.
Largest Red Fox
– The biggest Red fox on record was a massive specimen trapped in England in 1937. It weighed 14 kg (31 lbs), which is double the normal weight.
– A Red fox in Illinois was reported at 12.7 kg (28 lbs).
– Red foxes weighing up to 13 kg (29 lbs) have been recorded in some northern regions including Canada and Siberia.
So while Red foxes more regularly reach weights of 10-13 kg, a few isolated cases of Gray foxes have been found matching or exceeding these sizes. The absolute largest fox on record was the massive 14 kg Red fox from England.
Reasons for Red Fox Size Advantage
Some key factors that allow Red foxes to reach larger sizes than Gray foxes include:
– More northern distribution – Larger body size provides better heat retention in colder climates.
– Generalist diet – The Red fox has an extremely diverse, omnivorous diet including small mammals as well as fruit, vegetables, fish, birds, eggs, etc. This varied nutrition allows for greater growth than the more specialized Gray fox diet.
– Larger litters – Red foxes average 5-6 pups per litter compared to just 1-7 for Gray foxes. Larger litter sizes increase competition for resources which favors larger, more dominant pups.
– Earlier sexual maturity – Red foxes can reproduce starting their first year which promotes faster population growth. Gray foxes normally don’t breed until their second year.
– Fewer predators – With the widest distribution, Red foxes inhabit areas like northern Canada with less pressure from predators like coyotes that prey on foxes. This allows them to grow to larger sizes.
So in environments where food is abundant and predators are minimal, Red foxes are better equipped to reach their maximum growth potential, which slightly exceeds that of Gray foxes. But there are rare cases of large Gray foxes matching the biggest Red foxes.
Conclusion
After comparing the average weights, body measurements, and range distributions of the Gray fox and Red fox, the evidence shows that Red foxes more commonly reach the larger end of the fox size spectrum. Therefore, the Red fox can be considered the largest species of fox in the world. However, there are occasional exceptions where male Gray foxes exceed the typical Red fox dimensions. On the absolute largest end of the scale, a 14 kg Red fox holds the record as the single biggest fox ever documented. But in general, Red foxes have physical and environmental advantages that allow them to grow slightly larger than Gray foxes on average. By learning more about the differences between these clever fox species, we can better understand the diversity of the biological world.
