Iberian Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes silacea)

Photo by lucaboscain || CC BY-NC 4.0

Native to Spain and Portugal and found south of the Pyrenees mountain range. They are a medium-sized subspecies with long legs, large ears and a slender muzzle. Typically found in forest, grassland and scrub but also common in more urban areas. 

Their main threats are habitat fragmentation and roads. They are predated by Iberian wolves, Iberian lynx, feral dogs, golden eagles and eagle owls. None of these pose a major threat to fox populations as a whole. 

Photo by daniel_bulnes || CC BY 4.0

Iberian foxes are generalist predators. Their main prey is small rodents and lagomorphs, but they also eat birds, reptiles, invertebrates, fruits, seeds and any carrion they can find. In urban areas they commonly scavenge on human food leftovers. They are mostly nocturnal and diurnal, but in areas with relatively little human disturbance they will be out more frequently during the day. 

Iberian foxes typically live in mated pairs or small family groups that consist of an adult breeding pair and one or two non-breeding females from previous litters. The mating season lasts between January to February and litter size can be anywhere from one to seven cubs. The cubs stay with their parents until autumn when most will leave home to find territories of their own. 

Photo by Juan Lacruz || CC BY-SA 3.0

Fur is sandy or tawny in colour, with a mix of brown and grey. Chest and belly fur often dark grey or black. This colouration helps them blend in well with the habitat where they live. This subspecies often lacks the classic white tip to the tail. 

Additional photos;

Summer coat. Photo by christophereliot

Youngster. Photo by eduardmarques || CC BY-NC 4.0

Typical coat coloration. Photo by lucaboscain || CC BY-NC 4.0

Pale coloured individual. Photo by carber || CC BY-NC 4.0

Dark colored individual with floppy ears. Ears are not typical of the subspecies and likely the result of injury or a birth defect. Photo by Alvaro Calvo on Unsplash