Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes, is the most familiar of the foxes. It is rarely seen since it is nocturnal. The average fox stands 14 inches and may weigh 12 to 15 pounds. The fox's eyes are gold to yellow and have distinctive vertically slit pupils, similar to those of a cat. They can see just as well too, and combined with their extreme agility for a canid the Red Fox has been referred to as "the cat-like canid". Its long bushy tail with distinctive white tip provides balance for acrobatic leaps and bounds. Its strong legs allow it to reach speeds of 45 miles per hour. That amazing speed makes it easy for them to catch their prey or to outrun their predators. The Red Fox eats rodents, insects, fruits, worms, eggs, mice, birds, and other small animals. It has 42 very powerful teeth that they use to catch their food. The fox regularly consumes from 1-2 lb of food per day.