Cutest Foxes EVER! (8 Species Included With Pictures)

Foxes have been an important part of our lives since childhood. From featuring as characters in literary works to starring in films, foxes are one of the most beloved creatures around the world. 

They are known for their fluffy fur, mischievous personalities and active lifestyles and their behaviour often varies from species to species. Although many people desire to keep them as pets, it is wiser to let them remain in the wild and respect any laws that exist for their protection. 

This doesn’t stop us from admiring the beauty of these incredible creatures though, which is why we’ll be taking a look at some of the cutest foxes around!

List of the World’s Cutest Foxes

Fennec Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes zerda
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: 10 – 14 years

While their diminutive size is certainly part of their charm, the attractive and captivating appearance of the Fennec fox should not be overlooked. Larger than most other types of foxes, they have beautiful, thick fur and impressively oversized ears. 

These species are native to northern Sahara—particularly Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt—so opportunities for spotting them in the wild are rare. Much of their time is spent deep in burrows underneath grassy plains hunting for insects, small mammals, birds and eggs. 

However, fruit and root vegetables also form an important part of their diet when prey isn’t easy to come by! Typically a female will produce between 1 to 4 fox pups – relatively sizable litters compared to other species of fox – while they can often reach 14 years old in captivity.

Red Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: up to 14 years

With their beautiful coats of orange fur, red foxes are easily among the loveliest members of the animal kingdom. Although grown foxes measure around 30 inches long and live for only 4 years in the wild, their life expectancy in captivity can stretch well past 12 years. 

Despite this short time – or perhaps because of it – these foxes have been able to spread their population across much of the northern hemisphere. 

Their varied diets allow these critters to live in many different environments ranging from dense woodlands to near human settlements, where they control pests and rodents to ensure that everything stays in balance – and some even say that a few plants owe their presence part-way to the red foxes’ propensity for dropping seeds as they go! 

Gray Fox

Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: up to 15 years

The breathtakingly cute gray fox is a wild resident of North and Central America, preferring to dwell in forested or bushy terrain – far from the human eye. With fur that is predominantly gray with red tones on the legs and neck, these foxes are recognized for their distinctive oval-shaped pupil eyes. 

Although friendly by nature, they make sure to stick close to wherever they take shelter, usually rocky crevices or hollow tree trunks. To subsist, they consume a diet of small animals like rodents and mammals while also partaking in fruits and nuts here and there. Gray foxes live quite short lives in their natural habitat – usually up to 6 years – however, this can increase substantially if they are kept as pets, with life expectancy reaching 15 years.

Darwin’s Fox

Scientific Name: Lycalopex fulvipes
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: 4 – 7 years

Darwin’s fox is one of the most iconic animals in the southern hemisphere, named after the beloved naturalist Charles Darwin. They can only be found in remote temperate rainforests of Chile, living in open grasslands and plains while hunting during twilight and dawn. 

These small foxes measure up to 21 inches long with a 9-inch bushy tail, sporting thick dark fur. As omnivores, they enjoy an array of foods – small mammals, insects, seeds and fruits are some of their favourite meals. Although they make for interesting sights out in the wild, it is best to admire them from afar as they do not generally make good pets due to their innate wild nature.

Arctic Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes lagopus
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: up to 14 years

Arctic foxes, snow foxes and polar foxes can all be described as one of the cutest and most adorable animals out there. With their thick fur, short noses and stubby legs, these winter wonders are extremely resilient creatures and can survive temperatures that reach as low as -60℃. Being solitary hunters they mainly feed on squirrels, birds, lemmings and sometimes even fish.

Although not endangered at this time, Arctic Foxes tend to prefer living alone in big wide open spaces like treeless areas or grasslands. It is for this reason that spotting them can be a bit tricky. All in all, Arctic foxes are truly fascinating creatures that add a special charm to the coldest regions of our planet.

Corsac Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes corsac
Diet: Carnivore
Life Expectancy: 9 – 13 years

Corsac foxes are adorable, yet unexpected members of the canine family. Found primarily in semi-deserts and deserts in central Asia, these foxes boast a unique grey or yellowish fur which helps them to blend into their environment, allowing them to hunt prey with ease. 

Unlike their Arctic counterparts who feed predominantly on smaller mammals, Corsac foxes classify as carnivores and often rely on the moisture content of their meal for hydration due to a lack of water in their inhabiting regions. 

Though they may look cute and huggable, they also possess a fierce hunting prowess—often targeting kittens in addition to rodents. In fact, despite being relatively friendly animals, most countries don’t allow them to be kept as pets due to these predatory traits. 

Bengal Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes bengalensis
Diet: Omnivore
Life Expectancy: up to 10 years

The Bengal fox is a species of canine native to various parts of the Indian subcontinent, such as the Himalayan foothills, Nepal, Terai, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Typically measuring only 28 inches long, this cute creature has pointy ears and a bushy tail set above long legs. Its fur can vary in colour from silver-grey to dark brown, adding to its attractiveness. To survive in the wilds of the region, it typically spends daytime hours in sheltered burrows or crevices while reserving its active time for twilight hunting. 

This voracious predator plays an important role in their ecosystem as they are omnivorous, meaning that these furry creatures need a wide range of food to survive. From small birds, rodents and insects to fruit, the Bengal fox eats it all! Not only do they excel at gathering tasty snacks, but they also employ vocal communication methods to securely alert members of their family group. Their innocence may draw people close to them, but it also can put them in danger as they are not scared away by humans. 

Bat-eared Fox

Scientific Name: Otocyon megalotis
Diet: Insectivore
Life Expectancy: 13 – 17 years

With their large ears, the bat-eared fox found in Africa definitely lives up to its name. Measuring about 25 inches from head to body and sporting a 19-inch long bushy tail, these adorable creatures can be found living in the African Savannah or other bushlands with limited water supply. 

Sporting fur usually dark grey or black which gives the fox an appearance of being grizzled, bat-eared foxes mainly feed on ants, beetles, termites and other insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, spiders and scorpions while they remain active primarily during nighttime hours. 

Although often viewed with fear due to its aesthetics and name, this species of fox should undoubtedly warm your heart as it sets out under Africa’s extreme heat.

FAQs

What is the cutest fox on earth?

The fennec fox

What is the nicest fox?

Gray foxes 

What is the rarest fox?

RED FOX

What are the fluffiest foxes?

The Corsac fox

Final Words

Foxes are captivating animals with their adorable, fuzzy coats, big ears, and large bushy tails. Despite this undeniable cuteness, foxes are still wild animals and not ideal pets since they haven’t been domesticated to the same extent as cats or dogs. 

Although these endangered species differ in the size and colours of their fur and might have unique features that make them stand out even more, many states consider it illegal to keep them at home, which means you should be mindful of local laws and regulations before considering adopting one.

 Nevertheless, if your country allows exotic pet ownership, with some luck and perseverance – foxes could be rewarding companions.

Reference:

• https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Sierra_Nevada_red_fox/
• https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/rare-sierra-nevada-red-fox-spotted-in-yosemite-national-park.htm
• https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/28/science/arctic-foxes-inbreeding.html