Gray Fox

canine · climber · North America

Tree climbing expert. Gray foxes are unique among wild canines because they can climb trees, using their sharp curved claws to shimmy up trunks just like a squirrel would. When they feel threatened, they often escape danger by heading straight up into the branches.

Eats anything available. Gray foxes are omnivores, meaning they eat both meat and plants. They hunt small animals like mice and rabbits, but they also munch on berries, nuts, and fruit when they find them.

Wide North American range. You can find gray foxes throughout North America and Central America, living everywhere from forests to brushy areas. They've adapted to many different habitats across this huge region.

Canine cousins. Gray foxes belong to the dog family called Canidae, but they're pretty unusual members. Along with the rare island fox, they're the only living members of their special group called Urocyon, and scientists think they're actually older relatives to all other wild dogs alive today.

Silvery ash coat. The gray fox's scientific name, cinereoargenteus, actually means ashen silver, which perfectly describes its beautiful grayish-silver fur that helps it blend into woodlands and brush.