Last updated on July 18th, 2024
41. 53 days of gestation
Gestation only lasts for about 53 days. Newborns rely on their parents for survival, but they can start hunting with adults after three months. They become independent once they develop permanent teeth.
42. Family Units
A typical gray fox family consists of a mated pair and their kits, which they raise together until the kits are independent.
43. Family Dynamics in Gray Foxes
Families disband in the autumn. Adult gray foxes stick to a limited range, usually between two and five square kilometers. Nursing mothers are always within a few hundred meters of their dens and pups.
Foxes in captivity
44. Enrichment Needs
Foxes in captivity require extensive environmental enrichment to stay healthy and stimulated. This includes toys, puzzles, and opportunities for natural behaviors like digging, climbing, and foraging.
45. Subspecies
There are about 16 recognized subspecies of the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) across its range in North and Central America. These subspecies have variations in appearance and habitat preferences.
46. Conservation Status of the Gray Fox
The gray fox holds a current classification of least concern on the IUCN Red List. While precise population estimates are unavailable, indications point to stable numbers. As a result, there is currently no specific conservation effort required for this species.