Red foxes easier to see

Last week I described the wary nature of the wily coyote. I hear coyotes often, but very seldom see them. The same can be said of red and gray foxes, though they are even more elusive. I never hear them, and only occasionally do I see a red fox trotting along the edge of the woods. Sightings of gray foxes are even rarer, and the views are invariably ghost-like -- here one moment, and then gone.

If you're lucky enough to see a fox, it's easy to distinguish the two species. Both weigh in at 7 to 11 pounds, but reds usually look bigger because of their thick luxurious fur. The rusty pelage contrasts sharply with a white-tipped tail and black stockings (legs and feet). Gray foxes have a black-tipped tail, gray back, and cinnamon sides.