Red foxes have reddish-orange fur on their back, sides and head, with white fur on their chest and neck. They have a long, bushy tail tipped in white, black ears, and black legs and feet.
Gray foxes have a salt-and-pepper gray coat, with a black stripe running down their back and a black-tipped tail. They lack the white tail tip of red foxes.
Red foxes are more adaptable and can thrive in a variety of habitats including urban, suburban, agricultural, and forested areas.
Gray foxes prefer more densely wooded and semi-arid habitats, often staying farther from human settlements than red foxes.
Red foxes have a more northerly range, extending into Canada, while gray foxes range farther south into Central America.
Red foxes are more likely to be displaced by coyotes, while gray foxes can better escape coyote predation by climbing trees.
Gray foxes are more flexible in their diet, allowing them to better coexist with coyotes compared to red foxes.