IRISH RED FOX HUNTING DOWN BY THE RIVER #redfox #irelandwildlife #irishtourism #predators #nature

The red Fox (Known as Sionnach).

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widely distributed terrestrial carnivore in the world, found across the entire Northern Hemisphere and introduced to Australia. In Ireland, it is the only member of the dog (Canidae) family and remains widespread in both rural and urban areas.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance: Distinctive orangey-red fur on the back and sides with a white underbelly. They feature an elongated muzzle, large pointed ears with black tips, and dark brown feet.
The "Brush": A long, bushy tail, often with a white tip, which they use for balance, as a warm cover in winter, and for social signaling.
Size: Adults typically weigh between 5–7 kg (11–15 lbs) and measure roughly 90–105 cm from nose to tail tip.
Color Morphs: While primarily red, variations such as silver (black with silver-tipped hair) and "cross" (yellowish-brown with a dark cross on the shoulders) occur naturally.
Behavior and Diet
Adaptability: Known for being highly "cunning" due to their resourcefulness in finding food and thriving in diverse habitats from forests to city centers.
Solitary Hunters: Unlike wolves, red foxes typically hunt alone and are most active at night or during dawn and dusk (crepuscular).
Diet: As opportunistic omnivores, they eat small mammals (voles, rabbits), birds, insects, fruit, and discarded human food waste.
Cashing: They often bury surplus food in shallow holes to consume later, using their excellent memory to relocate these hoards.

Life Cycle and Reproduction
Breeding Season: Occurs annually in winter (typically December to February).
Young: Litters of 4–5 cubs (or kits) are born in spring after a 51–53 day gestation period. Cubs are born blind and deaf, opening their eyes after about two weeks.
Den Life: They live in underground burrow systems called earths or dens. In urban areas, these may be located under sheds or decking.
Lifespan: While they can live up to 10–14 years in captivity, the average lifespan in the wild is much shorter, often only 4–6 years in rural Ireland and as low as 18 months in some urban populations due to road traffic accidents.
Conservation and Status
Status: Listed as Least Concern globally and in Ireland due to their abundance and wide distribution.
Threats: The primary causes of mortality are road deaths, disease (such as sarcoptic mange), and predator control.
Culture: In Ireland, a 2025 opinion poll showed 87% of the public opposed to hunting animals for sport, reflecting modern shifts in attitudes toward fox hunting.