Ezo red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki)
Ezo red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrenckii) - This photo was taken in Japan, Hokkaido
Key data
Size: 90 - 105 cm
Weight: 5 - 7 Kg
Diet: Rats, snow hares, birds, insects, fruits, nuts
Season: resident
Observation tip: Japan, Russia
Photography tips:
Lens: 200 mm or greater
Difficulty level: middle
The Ezo red fox (Vulpes vulpes schrencki) is a subspecies of the red fox that inhabits a wide range of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and surrounding islands in Japan. The official name of the Ezo red fox is "Kitakitsune" (北狐) and was given to it by Kyukichi Kishida after he discovered this subspecies during his study in Sakhalin in 1924.
The word "Ezo" comes from Japanese and was used to refer to the historical lands of the Ainu in the north of Honshu, which were referred to by the Japanese as Ezo-chi. In regions where Ainu languages are spoken, it is also known by the names Cironnup, Sumari, Kimotpe, or Hurep.
The Ezo red fox differs in size and appearance from the Japanese red fox on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. It is slightly larger and has black areas on its ears and limbs. However, there are many similarities between the Ezo red fox and the continental red fox.
Ezo red foxes have a broad distribution in Hokkaido and inhabit a variety of habitats, from grasslands to alpine regions. They primarily feed on rats, snow hares, birds, and insects, and in the fall, they supplement their diet by consuming fruits and nuts. In some areas, especially in tourist or urban areas, they are fed by people on the street.
To build their dwellings, Ezo red foxes dig holes or tunnels. The females give birth to their young in the spring, which then grow up and become independent by late autumn. The male foxes are independent and do not participate in raising the young.