Gray Fox - Species Profile
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List
LC - Least Concern
NatureServe
N5 - Secure
SNR - Unranked
Minnesota
not listed
Description
The fur (pelage) is mostly grizzled, pepper and salt gray. The lower sides, sides of the neck, legs, feet, and back of ears are rusty-yellow. It does not have black “socks”. The tail has a black median stripe and a black tip.
Size
Total length: 30″ to 44″
Head and body: 21″ to 29″
Tail: 11″ to 16″
Sign
Similar Species
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) pellage is yellowish-red. The tail does not have a black median stripe. The tip of the tail is white. The feet have black “socks”.
Habitat
Hardwood forests and woodlands
Ecology
Behavior
Lifespan
6 to 8 years
Life Cycle
Food
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 12/13/2025). Timm, R. M. 1975. Distribution, natural history, and parasites of mammals of Cook County, Minnesota. Occasional Papers, Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota 14:1–56. Hazard, Evan B. 1982. The Mammals of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 280 pp. The counties in light green lack modern records but have historic county or township specimens or records. |
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| 12/13/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Common in the southeast, uncommon elsewhere |
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Taxonomy
Class
Subclass
Theria
Infraclass
Placentalia (Placental Mammals)
Magnorder
Boreoeutheria
Superorder
Laurasiatheria (Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies)
Order
Carnivora (Carnivorans)
Suborder
Caniformia (Dog-like Carnivores)
Infraorder
Cynoidea
Family
Canidae (Canids)
Subfamily
Caninae
Tribe
incertae sedis (uncertain placement)
Genus
Urocyon (Gray Foxes)
Subordinate Taxa
California Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus)
Costa Rican Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus costaricensis)
Eastern Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus cinereoargenteus)
Florida Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus)
Guatemalan Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus guatemalae)
Madras Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus madrensis)
Panama Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus furvus)
Peninsula Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus peninsularis)
Prairie Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus ocythous) 
Scott’s Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus scottii)
Southwest Mexican Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus nigrirostris)
Tehuantepec Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus orinomus)
Townsend’s Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus townsendi)
Venezuelan Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus venezuelae)
Yucatan Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus fraterculus)
Synonyms
Canis cinereoargentatus
Canis cinereoargenteus
Canis virginianus
Urocyon californicus
Urocyon guatemalae
Urocyon parvidens
Vulpes pensylvanicus
Common Names
Common Gray Fox
Gray Fox
Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
