Fox

2019-09-21T20:21:00Z

100.1.238.199: Undo revision 513313 by 2600:1:F1A8:C2E4:0:67:FE81:EE01 (talk) Revision seemed to be malicious in nature.

{{cleanup}}
{{unreferenced}}
{{species}}
{{Infobox species
| name = Fox
| image = [[File:Vulpes vulpes sitting.jpg|319x139px|center]]
| caption = A red fox (''vulpes vulpes'')
| kingdom = [[W:Animalia|Animalia]]
| phylum = [[W:Chordata|Chordata]]
| class = [[W:mamilia|Mamilia]]
| order = [[W:carnivora|Carnivora]]
| family = [[W:Canidae|Canidae]]
| tribe = [[W:Vulpini|Vulpini]]
| genus = ''Vulpes'', ''Cerdocyon'', ''Dusicyon'', ''Lycalopex'', ''Otocyon'', ''Urocyon''
| species =
| binomial =
| synonyms =
}}
'''Foxes''', scientifically referred to as '''vulpines''', is a common name to properly refer to any one of the 27 species of small- to medium-sized [[omnivorous]] [[mammal|mammals]] belonging to the [[Canidae]] family, and bearing vulpine characteristics, particularly the sharp features and the brush-like [[tail]].

The [[female]] fox is called a '''vixen''', and [[male]] is referred to as a '''tod''' or '''dog'''. Tod (originally ''todd'' or ''todde'')<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Todd ] . Retrieved April 1, 2014.</ref> is often used more frequently than its counterpart, "dog", in that there's less chance for confusion with other varieties of canine (many of which are also colloquially referred to as dogs). Their young are called '''kits''', '''cubs''', or '''pups'''. A group of foxes is called a '''skulk''' or '''leash'''<ref name=allanimals>[http://www.allaboutanimals.org.uk/PK-Favorite-Fox.asp ] . Retrieved April 1, 2014.</ref>.

== Overview ==

The most common species associated with a fox is the [[red fox]], belonging to the ''Vulpes'' genus. Other fox species include the [[arctic fox|Arctic foxes]], [[kit fox]]es, [[W:Crab-eating fox|crab-eating foxes]], and [[fennec fox]]es. Foxes are largely characterized by their long, accentuated [[muzzle]]s and bottlebrush [[tail]]s, though other distinguishing features include retractible [[claw]]s (much like [[cat|cats]] and other [[feline]]s), vertical [[W:Pupil (anatomy)|pupils]], and, in the [[grey fox]], the ability to climb trees<ref name=allanimals/>.

From birth, foxes are blind and unable to walk; a vixen, typically the mother of the cub or cubs, remains at all times with her litter from birth until the cubs are able to see, move, and function alone<ref>[[W:Red_fox#Reproduction_and_development|''Reproduction and development'']] section on the [[W:Red fox|Red fox]]'s [[Wikipedia]] article. Retrieved April 1, 2014.</ref>. From this point onward, cubs must begin to ween, search for its first food (often earthworms, [[insect]]s, and berries), and begin to sleep alone, instead of with parents or other guardians.

== Foxes and furry ==
[[File:Bioclr.jpg|right|thumb|174px|Depiction of standard anthropomorphic and [[nonmorphic]] red fox fursonas.]]
Foxes are one of the most [[List of most popular phenotypes|most popular phenotypes]] (if not, the ''most'' popular) in the fandom, with the red fox being the most popular fox species. This may be due to the frequent [[anthropomorphism]] of foxes in literature (such as in ''[[Aesop's Fables]]'', Disney's ''[[Robin Hood]]'', and [[W:Roald Dahl|Roald Dahl's]] ''[[Fantastic Mr. Fox]]''). In addition, foxes are a large [[W:archetype|archetype]] in figures of speech, such as "the fox guarding the henhouse", "crazy/sly as a fox", "she's a fox", etc.

As foxes are portrayed frequently and in a myriad of ways,{{clarify}} they often have a broader appeal to [[role-play|role-players]],{{fact}} making them easier to relate to and associate with,{{clarify}} and making it a popular choice of [[fursona]].{{clarify}}{{fact}}

=== Characters and fursonas ===

In traditional media, foxes are often portrayed as mischievous and cunning (Aesop) or heroic (Robin Hood); in furry fandom, however, foxes have become so universally popular that they are no longer restricted to those traits by any means, most recently with Nick Wilde in the 2016 Disney animated film ''[[Zootopia]]''.{{clarify}}

While many{{who}} may prefer a more realistic fursona, reflecting the fox's quiet beauty, intelligence, and cunningness, others may prefer a more [[cartoon]]-like fursona (such as being silly, playful, and amorous), or have a more [[sex]]ually based, or [[yiff|yiffy]] fursona.

Foxes, in some cultures and beliefs, are frequently associated with gender mutability (Kitsune were traditionally depicted as being able to transform into an old [[man]], a young [[woman]], or a mature fox at will), making it the most common phenotype among [[transgender]] [[fur]]s,{{fact}} with almost one in six being a vulpine of some sort.{{clarify}}{{citation needed}}.

=== Vixens ===
[[File:Anthro vixen.jpg|right|thumb|A vixen, by [[Yamavu]].]]
:''This section is about the female fox. For topics that share the name, see [[Vixen]]''
Vixens (from Old English ''fyxen''),<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=vixen ] . Retrieved April 1, 2014.</ref> are often notoriously characterized as [[Hyper-sexed|hypersexual]], attractive, and voluptuous, likely due to the notorious label of the same name given to attractive, voluptuous, or otherwise attractive [[human]] females.{{cn}}

The "[[W:dumb blonde|dumb blonde]]" [[stereotype]] may apply to many vixens, leading to practice of "vixen jokes" (a tongue-in-cheek parody of "blonde jokes". See furry character [[Sheila Vixen]]); [[West Corner Of the Park (comic)|West Corner Of the Park]]'', a [[furry]] [[webcomic]], bases many of its running gags around the "stupidity" of foxes,{{cn}} a contradiction to the "cunning fox" mainstream view (see [[Räven (Hedningarna)|Räven]]).

==== Voop ====

'''Voop''' or '''voopies''' is a rarer term for ''vixen''; its [[furspeech|furry terminology]]'s origin is unknown. Known voop characters include '''The Voops''' ([[Melonie Voop]] and [[Edith Voop]]), fox characters on the ''[[Funday PawPet Show]]'', and [[Richard Hallock]]'s [[Virtual Vikki]], original known as the "'''Digi-Voop'''".{{cn}}

==See also==
* [[W:Fox|Fox]] on [[Wikipedia]]
* [[Tod]]
* [[Foxer]]
* [[Kumiho]]
* [[Kitsune]]
* [[Foxtaur]]
* [[FoxMUCK]]
* [[Foxish language]]
* [[:Category:Fox species]]
* [[:Category:Fox characters]]
==References==
<references/>
== External links ==
* [http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-predation-foxes-aided-earth-magnetic.html Phys.org article] suggesting foxes catch their pray using the Earth's magnetic field as a form of range-finder.

[[Category:Canid species]]

[[es:Zorro]]
[[it:Volpe]]
[[no:Rev]]
[[pl:Lis]]
[[ru:Лисы]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Fox