Invasive Species Is Called The “Red Fox”

In our world today, we have many types of animal species that impact us in a variety of ways. These impacts can end up turning negative or positive. Recently, our ecosystem has been impacted and influenced by invasive species throughout the whole world. Invasive species are newly introduced animals or plants in an ecosystem that were introduced accidentally or on purpose. Invasive species can disrupt native species in an ecosystem and can kill off the native plants and animals which can cause a whole change in the natural habitat.

Throughout, the European and Australian wildlife there has been an invasive species that has been affecting the ecosystems of animals and humans as well. This invasive species is called the “Red fox” and it has been causing havoc to many ecosystems around the world. The red fox can adapt to a majority of environment’s and ecosystems which is an issue because when the species introduces itself to a new environment it can harm and disrupt the flow of the original environment.

Throughout the lands of Australia, Europe, parts of North America and Canada there is an invasive species that roams around called the red fox. This invasive species has a dog-like appearance and is very distinct. Red foxes have a light orange-red coat, the legs, and tail are black, but the tail contains a white tip, their chest, and belly are white. When, looking at a red fox physical appearance they have large pointed ears, and a very stretched pointed muzzle.

Top Writers

Academic Giant

Verified writer

5 (345)

RhizMan

Verified writer

4.9 (247)

Karrie

Verified writer

5 (339)

hire verified writer

Their legs are long with a bushy tail and thick soft body fur all around them. This invasive species has a variation of how much it can weigh and how big it can get. This all depends on the season of the year. The red fox is a member of the Canidae family which is part of the order called Carnivora, but they are known as “canids” they are compared to dogs and coyotes. When travelling in groups they are called “Skulk.” Also, they were used in farms, and in sports hunting throughout the years. Also, this species has a pre-breeding population which is usually estimated at around 250,000 every year. Males are usually called “Dogs,” Females are called “Vixens,” and a brand newborn is called a “Pup.”. They are usually adaptable to any environment and can live in a wide range of environments such as tundra’s, deserts, mountains, and forests. “Red foxes prefer mixed vegetation communities, such as edge habitats and mixed scrub and woodland, they are found from sea level to 4500 meters elevation” (Fox, 2007). The only limitations that this species has in a living environment are tropical climates and dingoes.

The red fox was originally a native species in North America. Eventually it became an invasive species throughout the lands of Australia, Europe, and Canada. It was first introduced in Australia by hunters because they were involved in recreational hunting and eventually population was officially established in Australia around the 1870s. Quickly after the establishment of the population, they began to spread all over Australia at a rapid rate. In Europe, it was introduced and brought by Colonies in the 1800s and migrated throughout Europe. As for Canada, the red fox became one of its most widespread mammals. The red fox has had a huge impact on many native species ever since it was introduced. It has had a negative impact to many native species and environment. “Red foxes are considered by many to be threats to poultry, foxes hunt their natural prey, but individual foxes may learn to target domestic birds if they are not adequately protected, foxes are known vectors for rabies and can transmit the disease to humans and other animals” (Fox, 2007). With red foxes hunting and learning to target poultry, new domestic birds and small mammals it can cause a disruption and wreak havoc upon the ecosystem and mess up the flow of certain animals that are native to that ecosystem. The role that this species plays in a newly introduced ecosystem is that it helps control the population of small rabbits, rodents, and other small mammals in the ecosystem. Also, it helps disperse seeds throughout the ground in the environment. Red foxes have a very negative impact towards newly introduced areas and native species, but they do have an important role of controlling the population on small mammals as well as they are capable of dispersing seeds throughout the ecosystem.

There are many ways that the red fox species can be controlled or eliminated. One way that the species can be eliminated is by poison, poison baits, gas cartridges and shooting the species. Shooting the red fox won’t provide a very negative impact on the environment, but the poison and gas cartridges provide a negative environmental impact because the poison can kill other species, people, and plants around the environment. Also; besides, eliminating the species, the population can also be controlled by setting up traps, and net wire fencing around the perimeter of an area and their natural habitats. This invasive species is a great threat around the world. It’s a great threat because this invasive species is all over the world such as Canada, Europe, North America, and Australia. The red fox is disrupting the food chains in the ecosystem because its learning to target new preys as well as its able to spread diseases around to humans and other native species. Also, the red foxes are causing a decline in the population of native species, they feed on newborn lamb, and provide threats to the poultry of farmers.