Content deleted Content added
haha! Tags: Reverted Visual edit |
|||
Line 23:
The '''red fox''' ('''''Vulpes vulpes''''') is the largest of the [[true fox]]es and one of the most widely distributed members of the order [[Carnivora]], being present across the entire [[Northern Hemisphere]] including most of [[North America]], [[Europe]] and [[Asia]], plus parts of [[North Africa]]. It is listed as [[least concern]] on the [[IUCN Red List]].<ref name=IUCN/> Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been [[Foxes in Australia|introduced to Australia]], where it is considered harmful to native mammals and bird populations. Due to its presence in Australia, it is included on the list of the "[[List of the world's 100 worst invasive species|world's 100 worst invasive species]]".<ref>{{cite web |title=100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species |url=http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=66&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN |publisher=Invasive Species Specialist Group |access-date=17 March 2011 |archive-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113132/http://issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=66&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The red fox originated from smaller-sized ancestors from Eurasia during the Middle [[Villafranchian]] period,<ref name=k115/> and colonised North America shortly after the [[Wisconsin glaciation]].<ref name=kurten1980>{{Cite book|title=Pleistocene Mammals of North America |last1=Kurtén |first1=B. |last2=Anderson |first2=E. |name-list-style=amp |date=1980|publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=9780231037334 |pages=96, 174}}</ref> Among the true foxes, the red fox represents a more progressive form in the direction of [[Carnivore|carnivory]].<ref name="mammals-of-ussr">{{cite book |last1=Heptner |first1=V. G. |last2=Naumov |first2=N. P. |title=Mammals of the Soviet Union |date=1998 |pages=115, 341–365, 453–502, 513–562 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-1886106819 |url=https://archive.org/details/mammalsofsov211998gept/page/115}}</ref> Apart from its large size, the red fox is distinguished from other fox species by its ability to adapt quickly to new environments. Despite its name, the species often produces individuals with other colourings, including [[Leucism|leucistic]] and [[Melanism|melanistic]] individuals.<ref name="mammals-of-ussr"/> Forty-five [[subspecies]] are currently recognised,<ref name=msw3/> which are divided into two categories: the large northern foxes and the small, [[Basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] southern grey desert foxes of Asia and North Africa.<ref name="mammals-of-ussr"/>I I hate people!
Red foxes are usually found in pairs or small groups consisting of families, such as a [[mated pair]] and their young, or a male with several females having kinship ties. The young of the mated pair remain with their parents to assist in caring for new kits.<ref name="mammals-of-the-brit-isles">{{cite book |last1=Harris|first1=S. |last2=Yalden|first2=D. |name-list-style=amp |title=Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook |date=2008 |publisher=Mammal Society|location=Southampton|isbn=978-0906282656|edition=Fourth |pages=408–422}}</ref> The species primarily feeds on small rodents, though it may also target [[rabbit]]s, [[squirrel]]s, [[game bird]]s, [[reptile]]s, [[invertebrate]]s<ref name="mammals-of-ussr"/> and young [[ungulate]]s.<ref name="mammals-of-ussr"/> Fruit and vegetable matter is also eaten sometimes.<ref name="mammals-of-na">{{cite book|last1=Feldhamer|first1=G. |last2=Thompson|first2=B. |last3=Chapman|first3=J. |name-list-style=amp |title=Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, and Conservation: Biology, Management and Economics |date=2003 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |isbn=9780801874161|pages=516–530 |edition=Second |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-xQalfqP7BcC}}</ref> Although the red fox tends to kill smaller predators, including other fox species, it is vulnerable to attack from larger predators, such as [[Wolf|wolves]], [[coyote]]s, [[golden jackal]]s, large predatory birds such as [[golden eagle]]s and [[Eurasian eagle owl]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Red Fox Predators |website=Wildlife Online |url=https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/red-fox-predators |access-date=27 May 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610135922/https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/red-fox-predators |url-status=live }}</ref> and medium- and large-sized [[Felidae|felids]].<ref name="Fedriani 1999">{{cite journal |author1=Fedriani, J. M. |author2=Palomares, F. |author3=Delibes, M. |name-list-style=amp |jstor=4222449 |year=1999 |title=Niche relations among three sympatric Mediterranean carnivores |journal=Oecologia |volume=121 |issue=1 |pages=138–148 |pmid=28307883 |doi=10.1007/s004420050915 |bibcode=1999Oecol.121..138F |citeseerx=10.1.1.587.7215|s2cid=39202154}}</ref>
| |||