Vulpes vulpes
FERAL ANIMALS
EUROPEAN RED FOX
Fox preying on a bandicoot
This program is supported by Wheatbelt NRM through
funding from the Australian Government
WHEATBELT
Red Card for Rabbits and Foxes 2014 participants with the foxes they caught
Vulpes vulpes
Origin
Europe, Asia, North Africa and some regions of North America
Habitat
The fox became widespread across Australia by the 1850’s. Today it is
found in all parts of the continent except the tropical north. Introduced
into Tasmania in more recent times its status in that state is unknown. The
fox favours lightly wooded country but has adapted well to arid
landscapes, alpine areas and urban environments. They are well
established in agricultural landscapes including the Wheatbelt. Foxes are
mostly nocturnal but it’s not unusual for them to be seen during the day.
Reproduction
& dispersal
Foxes produce litters, around three to six pups, during August/September.
Dispersal starts in late summer and continues through to May.
Impacts
Although primarily carnivorous foxes will readily eat insects and other
invertebrates, vegetables and fruit. They commonly raid orchards and
gardens, devouring grapes, melons and other fruits. Along with feral cats,
foxes pose the greatest single threat to native Australian wildlife,
especially small mammals. The decline and extinction of several species of
native marsupials has been attributed to fox predation. Foxes are also a
major threat to agriculture by preying on new born lambs. In addition to
the threat from predation foxes are known to carry diseases such as
distemper and mange.
Control
Fox control activities include shooting, trapping and baiting. Major
campaigns to control foxes have been conducted in Western Australia
notably “Western Shield” and “Red Card for Red Fox”. The latter is
supported by the State and Federal Government and funded through
regional NRM groups. The 2014 Red Card for Red Fox program accounted
for just under 5,000 foxes shot during community run shooting events.
The Western Shield program demonstrated considerable success with
numbers of native mammals increasing where fox baiting (often aerial)
with 1080 poison was carried out. Increasingly, feral proof fencing is seen
as the most effective way to protect species from fox predation.
FERAL ANIMALS
EUROPEAN RED FOX
The Fox is listed as a key threatening process under the Commonwealth Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act).
Distribution
T: 61 8 9670 3100
www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au
WHEATBELT
Wheatbelt NRM
PO Box 311
NORTHAM WA 6401