How to identify fox tracks

Fox tracks may be found in all kind of habitats especially in North America. This includes suburban areas, meadows, field, forests and deserts. The diet of a fox is greatly varied and can include birds, small mammals, crustaceans, insects, berries and even fruits. In North America, there are different species of foxes. The most common type is the gray fox and the red fox.



Their tracks

Just as is the case with lots of the wild canines, the footprints of the fox tend to be oval in their shape. They come with some 4 toes and they are triangular in their shape when you look at them generally. Every claw on the foot of the fox may register directly in front of every toe. In some cases, the claw may also register even though not as clearly for a person to notice them straight away. The coyote is one of the few animals with increasing density populations. Coyotes have occupied all habitats of North America, which were previously inhabited by wolves, and the increase in area they live on is provoked by humans altering natural habitats.

Details of the toes can be obscured at times. This is due to the fact that most foxes have got very furry limbs and the toe pads are actually quite small. There is a very distinct pad that helps to distinguish across the different species. The footprints are usually between 1.75 – 2.5 inches in length while the width can be at 1.5 – 2 inches. This is most especially for the red foxes.

As for the gray foxes, the tracks will usually show the toes a bit more clearly because the feet aren’t as furry as with the red fox. The gray fox is able to retract the claws. When they are retracted, it means that the claw marks will not be able to register when the marks are made. The tracks usually fall to smaller size range and can measure 1.25 – 1.75 in length while the width can be at 1 to 1.75 inches.

The gait of a fox differs from one to the other. This also depends of the substrate, the location and behavior of the fox. The most common gaits include gallops, lopes, trots and walks. They often travel in a trot. In such a case, the rear foot will land on top of the place where the front foot had stepped.

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