Background Information

Before I go farther into the social deconstruction of the Red Fox, I figure that it would be useful to give some background information on the animal.

The Red fox is a mammal fairly closely related to the wolf, jackals, and other fox breeds.  The red fox came about roughly 2.5 million years ago from the Eurasian Red Fox.  The species came about in Europe and passed through the Eurasian landmass and made its way to North America via the Bering ice bridge. 

The red fox is a short animal with a long body.  On average, they are about 14-20 inches tall at shoulder, while their body is anywhere from 18-35 inches long, with the tail being another 13-21 inches.  The normal Red fox is an orange color over most of its body with a white underbelly and neck and will have black stockings on their feet.  However it should be pointed out that each subspecies is going to have different sizes, fur colors and appearances.  They live for about 5 years on average in the wild.

Vulpes vulpes have a great diversity of subspecies, such as the Silver fox, commonly found in Russia, European Fox, and Arabian fox,  though there are many more.  Foxes also come in different morphs, or fur colors, which can be seen on the Wikipedia page listed below.  Their coat will aslo change with the passing of the seasons to help keep themselves safe.

Red foxes are hardy animals that can survive in many different environments.  They can be anywhere from the arctic to a desert, woodland and prairie.  They have been found as high up as 4500 feet above sea level as well.  They are actually the most widespread candid in the world.  

Diet wise, Red foxes are omnivores, which means that they can eat both meat and vegetation and have a wide diet which includes rodents, roots, berries, birds, reptile, fruits, insects, etc.  They are fairly solitary creature and hunt by themselves.

Foxes have a breeding season during winter, from about November through February.  Baby foxes, called kits, are born about two months later to an average of four to six per season.

Sources:

http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/red_fox.html#evolution

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_fox#Description

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Vulpes_vulpes/

http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/redfox.htm
http://waitanotherday.com/2010/04/22/vulpes-vulpes/
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Vulpes_vulpes_colour_variations.jpg