what is the average weight of a red fox
Red fox
Red foxes are the largest species of the genus Vulpes . However , relative to dimensions , red foxes are much lighter than similarly sized dogs of the genus Canis . Their limb bones , for example , weigh 30 percent less per unit area of bone than expected for similarly sized dogs . They display significant individual , sexual , age and geographical variation in size . On average , adults measure 35 -- 50 cm ( 14 -- 20 in ) high at the shoulder and 45 -- 90 cm ( 18 -- 35 in ) in body length with tails measuring 30 -- 55.5 cm ( 11.8 -- 21.9 in ) . The ears measure 7.7 -- 12.5 cm ( 3 -- 5 in ) and the hind feet 12 -- 18.5 cm ( 5 -- 7 in ) . Weights range from 2.2 -- 14 kg ( 5 -- 31 lb ) , with vixens typically weighing 15 -- 20 % less than males . Adult red foxes have skulls measuring 129 -- 167 mm ( 5.1 -- 6.6 in ) , while those of vixens measure 128 -- 159 mm ( 5.0 -- 6.3 in ) . The forefoot print measures 60 mm ( 2.4 in ) in length and 45 mm ( 1.8 in ) in width , while the hind foot print measures 55 mm ( 2.2 in ) long and 38 mm ( 1.5 in ) wide . They trot at a speed of 6 -- 13 km / h ( 4 -- 8 mph ) , and have a maximum running speed of 50 km / h ( 30 mph ) . They have a stride of 25 -- 35 cm ( 9.8 -- 13.8 in ) when walking at a normal pace . North American red foxes are generally lightly built , with comparatively long bodies for their mass and have a high degree of sexual dimorphism . British red foxes are heavily built , but short , while continental European red foxes are closer to the general average among red fox populations . The largest red fox on record in Great Britain was a 17.2 kg ( 38 lb ) , 1.4 - metre ( 4 ft 7 in ) long male , killed in Aberdeenshire , Scotland , in early 2012 . 
Red foxes are the largest species of the genus Vulpes . However , relative to dimensions , red foxes are much lighter than similarly sized dogs of the genus Canis . Their limb bones , for example , weigh 30 percent less per unit area of bone than expected for similarly sized dogs . They display significant individual , sexual , age and geographical variation in size . On average , adults measure 35 -- 50 cm ( 14 -- 20 in ) high at the shoulder and 45 -- 90 cm ( 18 -- 35 in ) in body length with tails measuring 30 -- 55.5 cm ( 11.8 -- 21.9 in ) . The ears measure 7.7 -- 12.5 cm ( 3 -- 5 in ) and the hind feet 12 -- 18.5 cm ( 5 -- 7 in ) . Weights range from 2.2 -- 14 kg ( 5 -- 31 lb ) , with vixens typically weighing 15 -- 20 % less than males . Adult red foxes have skulls measuring 129 -- 167 mm ( 5.1 -- 6.6 in ) , while those of vixens measure 128 -- 159 mm ( 5.0 -- 6.3 in ) . The forefoot print measures 60 mm ( 2.4 in ) in length and 45 mm ( 1.8 in ) in width , while the hind foot print measures 55 mm ( 2.2 in ) long and 38 mm ( 1.5 in ) wide . They trot at a speed of 6 -- 13 km / h ( 4 -- 8 mph ) , and have a maximum running speed of 50 km / h ( 30 mph ) . They have a stride of 25 -- 35 cm ( 9.8 -- 13.8 in ) when walking at a normal pace . North American red foxes are generally lightly built , with comparatively long bodies for their mass and have a high degree of sexual dimorphism . British red foxes are heavily built , but short , while continental European red foxes are closer to the general average among red fox populations . The largest red fox on record in Great Britain was a 17.2 kg ( 38 lb ) , 1.4 - metre ( 4 ft 7 in ) long male , killed in Aberdeenshire , Scotland , in early 2012 .
Relative to dimensions, red foxes are much lighter than similarly sized dogs of the genus Canis. Weights range from 2.2 -- 14 kg (5 - 31 lb), with vixens typically weighing 15 -- 20 % less than males.
However , relative to dimensions , red foxes are much lighter than similarly sized dogs of the genus Canis . Weights range from 2.2 -- 14 kg ( 5 -- 31 lb ) , with vixens typically weighing 15 -- 20 % less than males .