Red Fox

This richly colored fox's dominant color is red although bright yellowish individuals appear as well. In spring, when the luxuriant winter coat is shed, the red fox is scarcely recognizable, the dark underfur showing through the molting coat gives it a grey-brown tinge. It also has a white tip on its tail that distinguishes it from other Indian foxes. Red foxes shelter in a burrow dug in the ground or under rocks. They are mostly found where there is vegetation. They seek their food by night, though hunger and other conditions may compel an individual to venture out by day. They are not social in habit and usually hunt alone or in pairs. Their food varies with habitat and season. They prey chiefly on rodents, ground birds like partridges and pheasants and their rodent fare includes squirrels, marmots, voles and mouse-hares. But winter conditions in the mountains are more rigid and many foxes driven by hunger visit human dwellings to pick up scraps of discarded food and offal. The diet of meat is supplemented with fallen fruit, berries, and the combs and honey of wild bees. What's perhaps most interesting about these little guys is that they can teach us a thing or two about commitment. Red foxes are said to pair for life. A pair may occupy the same den year after year. Usually, it is a burrow with more than one opening. Magic happens inside the den and six to seven cubs are produced at one go.