A female fox is called a vixen, a term used consistently across various fox species, including the widespread red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the small fennec fox (Vulpes zerda). This designation establishes her unique biological role within the family unit. Foxes are members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs and wolves, and are recognized for their adaptability to diverse environments across every continent except Antarctica.
Vixen: The Terminology of the Female Fox
The term “vixen” serves as the specific gendered noun for the female fox, much like “doe” for a female deer. The word is a linguistic descendant of the Old English term fyxen, which originally meant “female fox.” While the female is a vixen, the adult male fox is most commonly referred to as a “dog fox” or, less frequently, a “tod” or “reynard.”
The offspring of the pair are known by several common terms, including “kits,” “pups,” or “cubs,” all of which are used interchangeably. A collective group of foxes is not known as a pack, but rather a “skulk” or a “leash.”
The Unique Maternal Role of the Vixen
The vixen’s life cycle centers on a single annual breeding event. After mating, the vixen undergoes a comparatively short gestation period, typically lasting about 52 days, though this can range from 49 to 58 days. She prepares a secure den, referred to as an “earth,” which she may dig herself or renovate from an abandoned burrow previously used by an animal like a badger or woodchuck.
The den often includes features like multiple entrances and good drainage, providing a safe, hidden nursery for the young. Vixens give birth to a litter that averages four to six kits, though litter sizes can vary widely, sometimes reaching 13 in environments with abundant resources. The newborns are born blind, deaf, and entirely dependent on their mother for warmth and nourishment.
For the first two weeks, the vixen remains continuously in the earth, nursing the kits and keeping the den spotlessly clean by eating the waste products. During this intense period of care, the dog fox takes on the role of provider, bringing food to the den entrance, which the vixen will retrieve. This cooperative arrangement ensures the survival of the offspring until they begin emerging from the den around four or five weeks of age.