Golden-Tailed Tree Fox

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

The golden-tailed tree fox has its home in the trees, just as the name suggests. They have evolved specialized paws and claws for climbing trees, which differ from a normal red fox. It likes big and undisturbed forests, ideally thick jungle.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The fox is a carnivore, eating small rodents, birds and sometimes lizards.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

The fox has a cone shaped, thin nose and smaller ears than most other foxes. The fur is lighter around the mouth and on the throat.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The golden-tailed tree fox lived in few parts of the world, mostly in thick jungle forest. Partly due to deforestation in industrialised areas, the fox's habitats have shrunken. Most biologists believe that it is extinct, because no one has seen a living specimen in over 200 years. The last one seen was one kept as a pet by a zoologist who, after the fox's death, stuffed it and gave it to a museum.

Average Intelligence

by Agnes Eriksson

Golden tails are quite smart, being able to plan, in some capacity, when hunting. They can figure out where the prey might be and what it would do next.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This fox has incredible sight, and can spot a small mouse from high up in a tree. Their hearing is also superb, as they can track the same mouse even if it has burrowed underground.

by Agnes Eriksson

Lifespan

7 years

Average Height

40-55 cm

Average Weight

8-13 kg

Average Length

60-90 cm

Average Physique

As many other foxes, the golden tail is a hound animal on the smaller and thinner side of the spectrum. Their tail is bushy, but most of it is fur. Their legs are thin, and unlike other foxes, their paws and claws have evolved specifically to climb trees. This means that they have more pronounced and "separate" toes, with an added bigger "thumb" on the back end of the paw.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

As the name describes, this fox has a golden tint on its fur. The body is more brown, making it easy to blend in with the environment.