Foxes in Alabama [Types, Habitat, Diet..]

Foxes are an important part of the Alabama wildlife population. Foxes have adjusted to changing habitats in order to survive, making them an integral part of the food chain in Alabama. Discovered back in 1699 by early Spanish explorers, Foxes have been a common sight throughout much of Alabama’s natural areas as well as urban settings. Foxes have helped keep animal and insect populations healthy, while largely being left undisturbed by humans.

Types of foxes in Alabama

There are three primary types of foxes found in the state: 

• Grey Fox 
• Red Fox and 
• Swift Foxes. 

Grey Foxes have incredibly powerful senses of smell and hearing that they use to track down prey. 

Red Foxes are unique among Foxes as they can actually adapt to urban environments. 

And perhaps most intriguing is the Swift Fox, which is listed as an endangered species in Alabama as its population dwindles due to a variety of factors, including land use and climate change. 

Habitat

The habitat of foxes in Alabama is varied and includes forests, woodlands, grasslands, and suburban or rural areas. Foxes are solitary animals that rely on their keen sense of hearing and smell to navigate their environment. They use camouflage as a way to hide from potential predators, such as coyotes or bobcats. In the winter months, foxes may congregate around sources of food such as farmland or small rivers. During the spring and summer months, foxes will set up dens in hollow logs or brush piles. 

Diet

Foxes in the wild have incredibly varied and balanced diets, subsisting mostly on small mammals such as voles, rabbits, and moles. They also hunt birds, lizards, frogs, and fish; their diet during the winter changes to include more scavenged carrion or refuse sources.

They also have preferred diets of other small animals living in or near water sources or burrows, foxes enjoy fruits and vegetables like apples or raspberries. Foxes in Alabama are also adept at being opportunistic feeders and will quickly take advantage of any available food source they can find. Their omnivorous diet allows them to sustain themselves over a wide range of ecosystems while they search for prey that is not only nutrient-rich but also provides enough calories to maintain their metabolisms.

Colour

Foxes in Alabama are mainly rusty red, but their colour can vary depending on the time of year and subspecies. Foxes have a thick double coat that features a lighter shade of fur on top and orange-red fur underneath. The overall colour changes with the seasons, so during the colder months, you can see Foxes in Alabama sporting darker shades of grey or brown. Foxes also become a bit more reddish during the summer months due to changes in their moulting cycle when they shed thicker winter coats for sleeker summer options. Foxes living in different parts of Alabama may also display varying degrees of rustiness depending on the area’s climate.

Size, Lifespan and Weight 

On average, foxes in Alabama have a size of up to 3.5 feet in body length and a tail length of up to 2.5 feet. These nocturnal creatures are reddish-brown or greyish-brown in colour and can weigh anywhere between 4 to 15 pounds when fully grown. The lifespan of foxes in Alabama is anywhere between 1-3 years.

Predators

Foxes in Alabama are skilful and resourceful hunters, but they too can be vulnerable in the wild. They face potential threats from a variety of predators, such as wolves, bobcats, bears, coyotes, cougars and hawks. Some of these animals will take advantage of a fox if it is alone or has been injured. Wolves may even form packs to hunt for larger prey like foxes. Even if foxes do escape the clutches of their pursuers, they could still fall victim to diseases that their predators spread in the environment.

Reproduction

Foxes in Alabama are able to reproduce quickly and successfully because of their abundant food sources and relatively mild climate. Foxes typically breed during the months of January and February, producing litters of up to eight. Fox kits can be seen out during the Spring, usually four to six weeks after they are born. During this time, the parents teach them the skills they will need to survive on their own, such as hunting and territorial identification.

Are there foxes in Alabama?

Foxes are scarce in Alabama primarily due to human population pressure on their natural habitats, as well as reduced food sources and the state’s competition for resources from other large predators. Fox sightings remain uncommon, although some reports suggest that certain species may be present in a few specific locales. 

What kind of foxes live in Alabama?

Red and Gray Foxes may coexist in some areas of the state; but Red Foxes typically hold territories closer to residential areas, while Gray Foxes prefer wooded areas near creeks or rivers. Also, there have been sightings of rarer types of fox in Alabama such as the Arctic Fox and Fennec Fox, though these typically remain further away from human settlements.

Are foxes protected in Alabama?

Foxes are a common sight across many areas of Alabama. Unfortunately, there is no state-wide protection for the species, with Fox Hunting still taking place in certain counties. Foxes are often hunted for sport and their pelts, which has caused some populations to decline in the region. 

Are foxes common in Alabama?

Foxes may not be as commonly seen in Alabama compared to other states, but they still exist and can be spotted throughout the state. Foxes have adapted to different areas across Alabama, making their homes in woodlands and wetlands alike.

References:

https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/environment/environmental-health/urban-foxes

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/forestry-wildlife/identification-management-of-foxes-in-alabama/

https://www.outdooralabama.com/carnivores/red-fox