[ITA]
Dimensioni:
A seconda della sottospecie presa in considerazione, questi
animali possono misurare fra i 75 ed i 140 cm,
per un peso che varia fra i 3 e gli 11 kg: queste misure
rendono la volpe rossa il più grande appartenente
al proprio genere. Le dimensioni degli animali tendono a
diminuire in direttrice N-S.
Aspetto.
Il colore:
Spesso rossiccio, va dal giallo al marrone, a seconda degli
individui e delle regioni. La gola, il ventre
e l'estremità della coda sono bianche; quest'ultima è lunga e
folta. Il muso è allungato e le orecchie sono
triangolari ed estremamente mobili. Essa è giocherellona come
i suoi cuccioli ed estremamente furba.
[DEU]
Körpermaße:
Die Körpermaße des Rotfuchses sind geographisch und
jahreszeitlich starken Schwankungen unterworfen.
Das Körpergewicht liegt durchschnittlich für Männchen im
Bereich 5,5 bis 7,5 kg, für Weibchen bei 5 bis 6,5 kg.
Schwerere Tiere (bis 14,5 kg) sind selten. Die Körperlänge
(ohne Schwanz) beträgt für Männchen 65 bis 75 cm, für
Weibchen 62 bis 68 cm, die Schwanzlänge entsprechend 35 bis 45
cm bzw. 30 bis 42 cm (jeweils Durchschnittswerte
für europäische Füchse).
Der Rotfuchs weist einige Ähnlichkeiten mit Katzen auf: Er
klettert besser als andere Hundeartige und zeigt mit
seinem langsamen Anschleichen und dem Mäusesprung ein
ähnliches Jagdverhalten wie Katzen. Seine Pupillenschlitze
sind senkrecht, die Krallen teilweise einziehbar. Füchse und
Katzen gehören zwar verschiedenen Familien an, haben
aber aufgrund der gemeinsamen Spezialisierung auf kleine
Nagetiere als Beutetiere im Laufe der Evolution eine ähnliche
Entwicklung durchgemacht.
Fellfarbe:
Das Fell ist oberseits rötlich, unterseits weiß; der Farbton
variiert je nach Verbreitungsgebiet oberseits zwischen
rötlichgelb und tiefrotbraun und unterseits zwischen rein weiß
und schiefergrau. Die unteren Teile der Beine sowie die
Hinterseiten der Ohren sind schwarz gefärbt. Daneben gibt es
abweichende Farbvarianten, z. B. den Kreuzfuchs, der einen
schwarzen Streifen auf dem Rücken trägt. Der Silberfuchs ist
dunkelgrau bis schwarz, der Brandfuchs weist eine dunkle
Kehle sowie Schulterpartie auf, der Kohlfuchs ist noch
dunkler, der Birkfuchs dagegen besonders hell.
[ENG]
The Red Fox (Vulpes
vulpes):
is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most
geographically spread member
of the Carnivo, being distributed across the entire northern
hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central
America, and the steppes of Asia. Its range has increased
alongside human expansion, having been introduced to
Australasia,
where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird
populations. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least
Concern for extinction by the IUCN.
The red fox originated from smaller-sized ancestors from
Eurasia during the Middle Villafranchian period, and
colonised
North America shortly after the Wisconsian glaciation. Among
the true foxes, the red fox represents a more progressive
form in the direction of carnivoryra. Apart from its large
size, the red fox is distinguished from other fox species by
its ability to adapt quickly to new environments and, unlike
most of its cousins, is not listed as endangered anywhere.
Despite its name, the species often produces individuals with
abnormal colourings, including albinos and melanists.
45 subspecies are currently recognised,which are divided into
two categories: the large northern foxes, and the small,
primitive southern foxes of Asia and the Middle East.
Red foxes are social animals, whose groups are led by a mated
pair which monopolises breeding. Subordinates within a
group are typically the young of the mated pair, who remain
with their parents to assist in caring for new kits. The
species primarily feeds on small rodents, though it may also
target leporids, game birds, reptiles, invertebrates and
young ungulates. Fruit and vegetable matter is also eaten on
occasion. Although the red fox tends to displace or even
kill its smaller cousins, it is nonetheless vulnerable to
attack from larger predators such as wolves, coyotes, golden
jackals and medium and largefelines.
The species has a long history of association with humans,
having been extensively hunted as a pest and furbearer for
centuries, as well as being prominently represented in human
folklore and mythology. Because of its widespread
distribution
and large population, the red fox is one of the most important
furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade.