Forest Edge Wildlife Control (413)-695-0606
GREY FOX
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Habitat
Unlike the red fox, this species prefers forested areas; thus, this is the common fox throughout the deciduous forests of the eastern and southern United States. Heavily wooded swamps as well as rough, hilly terrain near streams and lakes provide ideal habitat.
Physical Characteristics: The medium-sized gray fox is blackish-gray above and reddish-brown below. Alternating black and white bands on the guard hairs give the upperparts a salt-and-pepper appearance. Areas of white fur are present on the throat, chest, and along the middle of the abdomen. The feet, legs, back of the ears, and sides of the neck are rusty-yellow. The long, bushy tail has a median black stripe and a black tip.
Geographic distribution
The gray fox is found throughout the eastern United States and in the western states north to northwestern Oregon, central Nevada, and northern Colorado. The range extends southward through Mexico into Central America.
Reproduction
Young gray foxes are usually born in March or April after a gestation period of about 59 days . Average litters consist of four pups. Both parents provide for and protect the pups, which are weaned between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Juveniles reach their adult weight at the age of five to six months. An adult male and female and their offspring normally comprise the typical gray fox social unit which maintains a range separate from other such family groups. Young foxes remain with the female until fall at which time they disperse.
Terrestrial Ecology
The gray fox is primarily nocturnal and is active during all seasons. Dens may be located in slab and scrap piles around abandoned sawmills, in hollow logs, under rocks, and in ground burrows. Den sites are usually located in dense cover.
The gray fox is a tree-climbing fox. It often seeks refuge in a tree when being pursued. It may leap upon limbs of low trees and hop from branch to branch as it ascends, or it may hug the trunk with its forelimbs and force itself upward with its hind limbs.
The gray fox is omnivorous. It is an opportunistic feeder and depends on seasonal food availability. Major foods consist of small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, insects, birds and other vertebrates, nuts, and fruits. Examination of the stomach contents of an individual found near Smokemont in August, 1934, revealed grasshoppers, beetles, pokeweed seeds, and a spider. The stomach of a young male found near Smokemont on October 30, 1939, contained several persimmon seeds, an acorn, a maple seed, and the fur of a small mammal . The stomach of a third specimen found near Smokemont in late September, 1950, contained 95% camel crickets and 5% other insects and centipedes .
Unlike the red fox, this species prefers forested areas; thus, this is the common fox throughout the deciduous forests of the eastern and southern United States. Heavily wooded swamps as well as rough, hilly terrain near streams and lakes provide ideal habitat.
Physical Characteristics: The medium-sized gray fox is blackish-gray above and reddish-brown below. Alternating black and white bands on the guard hairs give the upperparts a salt-and-pepper appearance. Areas of white fur are present on the throat, chest, and along the middle of the abdomen. The feet, legs, back of the ears, and sides of the neck are rusty-yellow. The long, bushy tail has a median black stripe and a black tip.
Geographic distribution
The gray fox is found throughout the eastern United States and in the western states north to northwestern Oregon, central Nevada, and northern Colorado. The range extends southward through Mexico into Central America.
Reproduction
Young gray foxes are usually born in March or April after a gestation period of about 59 days . Average litters consist of four pups. Both parents provide for and protect the pups, which are weaned between 8 and 10 weeks of age. Juveniles reach their adult weight at the age of five to six months. An adult male and female and their offspring normally comprise the typical gray fox social unit which maintains a range separate from other such family groups. Young foxes remain with the female until fall at which time they disperse.
Terrestrial Ecology
The gray fox is primarily nocturnal and is active during all seasons. Dens may be located in slab and scrap piles around abandoned sawmills, in hollow logs, under rocks, and in ground burrows. Den sites are usually located in dense cover.
The gray fox is a tree-climbing fox. It often seeks refuge in a tree when being pursued. It may leap upon limbs of low trees and hop from branch to branch as it ascends, or it may hug the trunk with its forelimbs and force itself upward with its hind limbs.
The gray fox is omnivorous. It is an opportunistic feeder and depends on seasonal food availability. Major foods consist of small mammals such as rabbits and rodents, insects, birds and other vertebrates, nuts, and fruits. Examination of the stomach contents of an individual found near Smokemont in August, 1934, revealed grasshoppers, beetles, pokeweed seeds, and a spider. The stomach of a young male found near Smokemont on October 30, 1939, contained several persimmon seeds, an acorn, a maple seed, and the fur of a small mammal . The stomach of a third specimen found near Smokemont in late September, 1950, contained 95% camel crickets and 5% other insects and centipedes .
RACCOON REMOVAL / SQUIRREL REMOVAL / WOODCHUCK REMOVAL / SKUNK REMOVAL / BAT REMOVAL
FOX REMOVAL / RABBIT REMOVAL / OPOSSUM REMOVAL / WEASEL REMOVAL / MUSKRAT REMOVAL /
BEAVER REMOVAL / PORCUPINE REMOVAL / CHIPMUNK REMOVAL
FOX REMOVAL / RABBIT REMOVAL / OPOSSUM REMOVAL / WEASEL REMOVAL / MUSKRAT REMOVAL /
BEAVER REMOVAL / PORCUPINE REMOVAL / CHIPMUNK REMOVAL
Suffolk County N.Y. Wasp and Hornet Removal