RANGE | Red foxes are the largest of the true foxes and are found across the entire Northern Hemisphere. They are found throughout Europe, parts of Asia and northern Africa. They were introduced to Australia as well as North America. where they were brought over for fox hunting.

FUN FACTS | These canines have excellent eyesight, hearing and sense of smell. These omnivores almost exclusively hunt, but resort to eating plants when prey is scarce. They primarily hunt for rodents and rabbits but will also pursue birds, eggs, opossums, insects, reptiles and amphibians and young deer. These solitary animals are known to be crepuscular but will hunt at night or during the day if food is not readily available. They will cache—or store—their food by burying it in the ground and marking around the mound with urine. The red fox is known for the mouse pounce, a unique way to ambush their prey by leaping into the air and landing on their target—sometimes up to 15 feet away. Many scientists believe that they are using the Earth’s magnetic field as a way to target their prey since they mostly orient themselves in a northeastern direction!

Inali was found alone as a very young kit, the morning after a stormy night. It was believed she became separated from her mom by the severe wind and rains, so she was brought to the local Fresno Wildlife Rehab center. Because Red foxes are an introduced species, she was unable to be released into the wild. They gave her the name Inali, which is Cherokee for fox, and she remained in their care for two years. They were unable to include her in their ambassador program and, in the summer of 2014, they approached us and we gladly welcomed her to live at Wildmind.

While shy at first, she has gradually learned to trust. Sometimes when she is excited to see us, she comes running over with her tail wagging, then she rolls onto her back so we can rub her belly. Other times, she just wants us to pet her ears and under her chin.

Inali LOVES stuffed animals, especially the small ones that come in the hide-and-seek nesting sets. She carries them in her mouth, running around her enclosure as she wags her tail excitedly. They all end up in her den, piled in the corner. She likes other stuffed animals and types of toys but these are her favorite. She has started to really enjoy puzzle feeders, rising to the challenge to find the treat.