American Gray Fox |
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He is a wild animal |
Origin |
American continent | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
The possession of this animal is not authorized Royal Decree establishing the list of mammals not kept for production purposes that may be kept (M.B. 24.08.2009) |
The American Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) or Tree Fox is a species of fox belonging to the genus and family Canidae. It is the only canid (along with the raccoon dog) capable of climbing trees. The fox measures between 53 and 81 cm in length. Its tail measures 27-44 cm and it weighs between 3 and 7 kg. The gray American fox has a small mane on its neck, and its back is marked with a dark gray central stripe. The nape of the neck is tinged with fawn, the flanks and legs, chin and belly are white or cream. Depending on the individual, the coat is mottled or striped with white, gray and black. The gray American fox lives in pairs in the woods. It jumps and climbs with the agility of a cat. Nocturnal, it eats insects and small mammals, fruit and seeds depending on the season. It lives in an old burrow, usually in the hollow of a tree, up to 9 meters above ground or under a roof. The American gray fox has an average litter of 4 (between 1 and 10). Each cub is born with closed eyes (they don't open until 9 to 12 days old), covered in black fur. From 4 weeks of age, it ventures out of the den under the care of a parent, and begins to take solid food 2 weeks later. The fox is found in North America, from southern Canada to northern South America (Venezuela and Colombia), in temperate forests, tropical rainforests and urban areas. |