What Are Baby Foxes Called? (Shared Names)

A baby fox is one of the world’s prettiest wild animals that’s undoubtedly furry. These wild animals have bushy tails and delicate, small faces. Baby foxes have the same traits as the adult foxes and cats. They’re quite fuzzy and don’t resemble their parents while young.

Like most mammals belonging to the canine family, they have several similarities. For instance, the young ones of various species share the same name. What are baby foxes called? Let’s explore the different names of baby foxes and learn more about which baby animals they share a name with.

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What Is a Baby Fox Called?

Generally, fox babies have lots of names, which is why most of us aren’t sure what to call them. One of the most common names that they share with various baby animals is kitten or kit. They share the same name as the young ones of a squirrels, muskrats, skunks, cats, ferrets, and beavers.

In the United Kingdom, baby foxes are called pups or cubs.

Fox babies share the same name as the young ones of bears and wolves in the United Kingdom.

Some of the recently published literature uses kit, pup, and cub, but the BBC and British Mammal Society have stuck to cubs. A baby fox is called a kit or pup in the United States.

According to the Human Society, a baby fox is called a kit, while the National Wildlife Federation refers to baby red foxes as pups.

A group of fox babies is referred to as a litter. The female foxes are known as vixens, while male foxes are referred to as dogs.

Physical Characteristics of Baby Foxes

Young cubs exhibit certain physical characteristics that distinguish them from adult foxes. At birth, they weigh about a fourth of a pound with a 4-inch wide lung. Like most animals belonging to the dog family, they’re born deaf and blind. Therefore, baby foxes live inside their den to be safe.

During that period, their vixens protect and nurse them. While their mother is nursing, the dog fox or male fox hunts and brings the prey home. Fox cubs have several characteristics that vary depending on the specific species of fox.

Here are some common physical traits of fox babies:

Size: Kits are much smaller than adult foxes, and their size can vary depending on the species. They are typically tiny and have a more compact appearance. Newborn red foxes weigh between 3.5 and 4.4 pounds, while a gray fox weighs a maximum of 4.8 pounds. Arctic baby fox weigh around 3.5 ounces.
Fur: Fox babies have soft, fluffy fur that is often a different color or shade compared to adult foxes. The fur is designed to provide insulation and warmth.
Coloration: The coat color of baby foxes may be different from that of adults. It’s common for them to have a more muted or lighter coloration, which may change as they grow older.
Ears and Eyes: The ears of baby foxes may appear relatively larger in proportion to their heads. Their eyes are usually large and bright, giving them an endearing appearance.
Tail: The tail of a baby fox is typically shorter and less bushy compared to that of an adult. Their bushy tails develop as the foxes mature.
Teeth: Like many mammals, baby foxes have deciduous (baby) teeth that adult teeth will replace as they grow older.

It’s important to note that these characteristics can vary among different species of foxes, such as red, gray, and Arctic foxes. Additionally, the appearance of a baby fox changes rapidly as it goes through different stages of development.

Traits of a Baby Fox

Like most canines, a baby fox exhibits a wide range of traits that vary with species, making them endearing and distinctive. Some of their most common traits include:

Playfulness: Like many young animals, they’re playful and curious. They engage in playful activities that help them develop coordination, hunting skills, and social bonds with their siblings.
Cuteness: With their large, bright eyes, soft fur, and small size, they’re often considered incredibly cute. Their adorable appearance can captivate observers.
Dependence: Kits are dependent on their mother for care, nourishment, and protection during their early weeks of life. They rely on their mother’s milk before gradually transitioning to solid food.
Exploration: Young foxes are curious and will explore their surroundings. They may venture out of the den under the watchful eye of their mother to investigate the world around them.
Vocalizations: Kits make distinct vocalizations, including whining, chirping, and playful yips. These vocalizations are essential for communication with their mother and siblings.
Clumsiness: Young foxes are often less coordinated and clumsier than adults. They are still developing their motor skills, and you may observe playful behavior as they practice hunting and social skills.
Learning Behavior: Kits learn important life skills through play and observation. They mimic their mother’s hunting techniques, practice pouncing, and engage in mock fights with their siblings.
Bonding: Siblings in a fox litter often form strong bonds through mutual grooming and playing together. These early social interactions help build relationships that can be important later in life.

Photo from Wikimedia

Baby Fox Diet

The diet of kits varies depending on their age and species. In the early weeks of life, kits are entirely dependent on their mother’s milk for nutrition.

As they grow older, they transition to solid food, and their diet gradually becomes more diverse. Here’s a general overview of what baby foxes eat at different stages:

Mother’s Milk (First Few Weeks): Newborn fox kits rely exclusively on their mother’s milk, which provides essential nutrients for their growth. Fox milk is rich in fat and proteins, helping the fox kits develop quickly during their initial stages of life.
Transition to Solid Food (Around 3-4 Weeks): As the fox kits grow and their teeth start to come in, they begin the process of weaning. The mother introduces solid food to their diet, such as regurgitated prey items. This process helps the kits transition from a milk-only diet to a diet that includes both milk and solid food.
Solid Food (Around 6-8 Weeks): By six to eight weeks of age, kits are typically eating a diet that consists mostly of solid food. The mother brings a variety of prey items to the den, including small mammals, birds, insects, and fruits. The kits learn to hunt by observing and playing with their mother.
Diet Diversification (After weaning): As the kits continue to grow, their diet becomes more varied and includes a wider range of prey items. The specific prey depends on the species of fox and the availability of food in their habitat. Foxes are opportunistic feeders, and their diet can include small mammals, birds, fruits, insects, and even carrion.

Final Thoughts

What is a baby fox called? Well, these beautiful creatures have several names; in fact, they share names with some other species. Baby foxes are known as kits in the U.S., while in the U.K., they’re known as pups or cubs. They share their name with the young ones of cats, ferrets, wolves, bears, and squirrels.

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