Fox kits are the young offspring of foxes, evoking curiosity due to their playful and elusive nature. Many seek information about their early lives. Understanding their birthing and denning habits provides insight into the natural world of these adaptable animals.
Birthing Season and Denning
Red foxes mate from mid-January to early February, with the birthing season occurring in late winter to early spring. Pups are commonly born from March in warmer regions to May in arctic areas. The gestation period for a vixen, or female fox, lasts approximately 51 to 53 days. This timing ensures kits arrive when weather moderates and food resources are abundant.
Before giving birth, the vixen prepares a suitable den for her litter’s safety and development. She may dig a new den or, more commonly, repurpose an abandoned burrow from animals like woodchucks or badgers. These dens provide a secure, sheltered environment, protecting the newborn kits from predators and harsh weather. The den chamber is often lined with grass and other soft materials for comfort.
A typical red fox litter consists of four to six kits, though numbers range from one to fourteen. At birth, these kits are born blind, deaf, and helpless, weighing about 96 to 100 grams. They are covered in a fine, dark, woolly fur, often appearing gray or chocolate brown, differing from adult foxes’ reddish coats. The vixen remains with her newborns during their initial weeks, providing warmth and nourishment, while the male fox often brings food to the den.
Early Life and Emergence
Fox kits undergo rapid development during their first few weeks inside the den. Their eyes typically open between 10 to 14 days after birth, initially appearing blue before changing to amber around 4 to 5 weeks of age. Their ears start to unfold and hearing develops around two weeks old, allowing them to perceive sounds for the first time. During this period, kits are dependent on their mother’s milk for sustenance.
Around three to four weeks of age, kits are introduced to solid food, often brought to the den by their parents, though they may only suck the juices at this stage. Weaning from milk begins around five to six weeks and is completed by eight to ten weeks. At approximately four to five weeks old, fox kits make their first ventures outside the den entrance. These initial explorations are cautious, allowing them to play near the entrance and strengthen their muscles and coordination. Both parents continue caring for kits after emergence, bringing food and teaching essential survival skills.