
Description: The Gray Fox is one of the few species of fox that is not under the Vulpes genus, and instead under the Urocyon. This difference in genus is due to their genetic make-up being closer to that of the Asian Raccoon Dog and the African Bat-Eared Fox. The Gray Fox is one of the oldest known foxes, ranging all the way back to the Pliocene Era approximately 3.6 million years ago.

Known for it's gray and grizzled fur, it will typically have a rust red coloring around it's neck, legs, ears and tail, towards the underbelly and below the gray. It has a black-tipped tail similar to the Fennec and other African foxes, and is easily distinguished from the Red fox this way.The gray fox's face tends to be less pointy than the Red fox, and has rounder ears. Instead of slit-like pupils, like a cat and other foxes, the Gray Fox has more round pupils.
They typically weigh from 8 to 15 pounds, with the largest reported Gray being 20. The females are only slightly smaller than the males, unlike many other fox species.
Behavior/Reproduction: The Gray Fox also likes to climb trees, similar to the Raccoon Dog, and will often be seen at night climbing trees, or during the evenings since this mammal is crepuscular.
Gray Foxes are monogamous, meaning they mate for life with one partner. Their mating season varies depending on location from early February to late July. The gestation period is 53 days and they can have up to 7 kits in one litter, the average being 2-3.
Diet: In the wild, they would be omnivores, eating mice, plants, insects, and fruits and veggies if possible, so their diet in captivity must reflect this. They do not have specific diet restrictions in comparison to other foxes, so you can read more about a good diet on the 'Diet & Adopting' page.

Color Morphs: There are only three known color morphs for the gray fox, an all white morph, a leucistic, and (discovered in Northern United States in 2018) a piebald morph. The Leucistic simply gives it a lighter, cream colored coat where the darker blacks and grays of the coat would normally be. All color variations are extremely rare, almost never found in the wild. There are no known breeders of the leucistic or piebald color morphs.
Left: Leucistic gray fox. Right: All white gray fox.


Bottom Left: Piebald color morph

Bottom Right: Piebald with blue eyes
