Are red foxes invasive to North America?

**Red foxes are not inherently invasive to North America.** Here's the reasoning behind this conclusion: 1. **Native Status**: The American red fox (Vulpes vulpes fulva) is native to North America, occurring across the continent. It is one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora, with a temporal range spanning from the Middle Pleistocene to the present. 2. **Colonization History**: While there is debate about the extent of native populations, historical accounts and genetic analysis suggest that red foxes migrated to North America during glaciation periods, such as the Illinoian and Wisconsin glaciations. This migration predates European colonization, indicating that they were not introduced by humans. 3. **Distribution and Adaptation**: Red foxes have established themselves in diverse habitats, from wooded areas to prairies and farmland, and have adapted to various environments. Their ability to inhabit both wilderness and human-developed landscapes is a testament to their evolutionary success in North America. 4. **Subspecies Diversity**: The red fox is one of nine subspecies of red fox in North America, with significant variation in coat color, morphology, behavior, and habitat requirements across its expansive range. This diversity is a sign of adaptation to local conditions rather than invasive characteristics. 5. **Ecological Impact**: Despite their wide distribution, red foxes are considered secure in terms of conservation status, with no evidence of negative ecological impacts that would classify them as invasive. In summary, red foxes are not invasive to North America; they are native species that have evolved and adapted to the continent's environment over thousands of years.