Evolution

The Sierra Nevada Red Fox initially arrived to North America about 300,000 to 130,000 years ago, during the Illinoian glaciation. During the Sangamon interglacial period, (130,000-100,000 years ago) red foxes multiplied their range southward into what is know known as the United States. The red fox is a member of the family Canidae which includes wolves, jackals and coyotes. Red foxes introduced into Australia in the 1850s have spread throughout the entire continent, except perhaps the north-central region... Red foxes migrated into the eastern USA, starting in the mid-1700s, have spread throughout all lowland areas of the eastern and central USA... Red foxes transplanted from the eastern USA into California in the late 1800s have since spread throughout lowland areas of the western coast states, southwards into northern Mexico.