Red fox

About

The Red fox is the most common predator in the Carpathians. It lives everywhere: in the forest edges, meadows, pastures, near villages and tourist camps, and in summer it ascends to the polonynas. It occurs in all Carpathian countries.

Its reddish fur, white belly, black "socks" on its legs, and long fluffy tail with a white tip make the fox recognizable from afar. In the mountains, darker, brownish animals can also be found.

The fox is omnivorous: its main prey consists of field mice and voles, which it catches with a characteristic high jump from above. It also eats birds, insects, berries, fruits, and carrion, and near human dwellings, it does not disdain waste. It digs its own burrow or occupies an abandoned badger's. Fox cubs are born in spring and already play near the burrow in summer. In winter, the fox leaves a neat chain of tracks in the snow, placing its paws almost in a straight line; this track is noticeably narrower than a dog's.

The active fox is mainly active at dusk and at night, but in quiet places, it is often seen during the day, especially in mowed meadows where it can easily hunt for rodents.

The fox is a game species and is not listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Romania · Ukraine · Czechia · Serbia · Poland · Slovakia · Hungary · Austria

Mountain ranges

Maramureș Mountains, Hryniava Mountains, Bieszczady, Făgăraș Mountains, Pădurea Craiului, Piatra Craiului, Chyvchyn Mountains, Bucegi Mountains, Chornohora, High Tatras

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m) · Conifer forests (1200–1600 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

Do not feed foxes and do not approach them. A fox that is not afraid of people, approaches on its own, or behaves strangely may be rabid. If a wild animal bites or scratches you, wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately (103 or 112).

Protection and rules

A game species and is not listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ