Red Fox for Kids Ages 6-8

Red Fox

A red fox tells the story of its life, from being born a 'kit' in a cozy den to learning how to hunt with its amazing hearing and special pounce. The fox explains that it's an adaptable omnivore that has been known to science since 1758. It shares its important role in balancing the ecosystem by hunting mice and rabbits, ending with a hopeful message about sharing the world.

First Scientific Description 1758

Major Range Expansion in North America c. 1800

IUCN Conservation Status Assessment 2016

A Red Fox's Tale

Hello there. I’m a red fox, and I’m so happy to share my story with you. You might know me by my beautiful bushy tail that has a special white tip on the very end. I also have two pointy ears that help me hear everything and a clever face that always looks like I’m thinking about my next adventure. I wasn’t always a great explorer, though. I was born in a den, which is a burrow dug into the ground, with my brothers and sisters. When we are little, we are called kits. It was warm and safe down there with our family. My mother, who is called a ‘vixen,’ and my father, a ‘dog fox,’ took wonderful care of us. We would all cuddle together to stay warm while we waited to be big enough to see the world.

When I was finally old enough, my parents let me and my siblings leave the den. The world outside was so big and exciting. There were so many new smells and sounds. My parents started teaching me how to be a great fox, and that meant learning how to hunt for my own food. My most amazing skill is my hearing. My pointy ears can hear the tiniest sounds, like a little mouse rustling under a pile of leaves or even moving around under the snow. Once I hear something, I get ready for my special move. I crouch down low and then leap high into the air, pouncing right on my dinner. It’s so much fun to practice. But I don’t just eat mice. I am an omnivore, which means I eat both plants and animals. After a good hunt, I love munching on sweet, juicy berries and finding tasty insects to snack on.

One of the best things about being a red fox is that I am very adaptable. That means I can make my home almost anywhere. Some of my relatives live in deep, quiet forests, while others live in busy cities. We are so good at living near people that we have been noticed for a very long time. A famous scientist named Carl Linnaeus even gave my species our official scientific name, Vulpes vulpes, way back in the year 1758. That was a very long time ago. Because we can live in so many places, I sometimes get to see my human neighbors. As the sun begins to set, I might trot quietly through a neighborhood park or a backyard, on my way to find a snack. It’s always exciting to see the lights of the houses as I go on my evening journey.

My story is still happening every day, but I want you to know that I have a very important job in nature. By hunting for mice and rabbits, I help keep the fields and forests balanced. Red foxes help control populations of small mammals that consume seeds and plants, potentially benefiting plant growth, though the overall impact on vegetation is influenced by various ecological factors. So, even though I am a wild animal, I am a helpful neighbor to the plants and other animals in my home. My cleverness and my ability to adapt help me thrive and continue my work. I hope my story reminds you that we can all share this wonderful world together, from the deepest forests to the busiest backyards.