North America

The red fox is a native to Canada and the United States. It lives from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, as far north as the Yukon Flats Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, to as far south as Texas.

Due to global warming, red foxes have been seen further north. However they do not tolerate constant sub-zero weather like the arctic fox, or blistering heat like the kit fox.

Red foxes were also imported to the east coast by Europeans in the late 1600's, but quickly mixed with the local population.

Europe

With its temperate climate, you can find red foxes in every corner of Europe, stretching south into the Middle East. Only remote islands, such as Iceland, are missing these adaptable animals.

The extinction of wolves by humans in the late 1700's made foxes the leading canid species. They now play an irreplacable role in the balance of Europes ecosystem.

Asia

The hardy fox lives well throughout Asia, from the steps of the Himalayas to the frontiers of Siberia. They also inhabit some Pacific islands, such as Hokkaido in northern Japan. The heat of the southern India deserts and severe cold of the Arctic Circle prevent movement into those regions.

The red fox has an ancient place in Shintoism, one of the oldest religions in the East, as a messenger of Inari, the god of harvest.

Africa

Only the cool ocean winds allow habitation of northern Africa. The Sahara Desert creates a formidable boundary for all wildlife, as does the expanse of Saudi Arabia.

Oceania

Australia is one of the few places where red foxes were introduced solely by man. In 1845, foxes were brought from Europe to be hunted. Popularity of the activity was short lived, and by 1917 foxes had become a natural part of the landscape.

In the early 2000s a population of foxes was established on the island of Tazmania.