Whether they have actually seen one in person or not, almost everyone likes foxes.
These little canine predators are almost usually regarded as charming because to their big eyes and ears, long and fluffy coats, and vivid colors that range from the russet reds of the red fox to silvery gray and black.
Furthermore, foxes’ intellect and curiosity make them popular among most humans, despite farmers’ disdain of them for the same reasons.
Any member of the Vulpes genus is considered a true fox. Many “false” foxes, on the other hand, are more closely linked to other dogs.
There are several more animals that resemble foxes as well. The majority of those are dogs and have a lot in common with foxes.
There are various animals on this list that you may keep as pets if you’re also looking at it because you want to have a fox as a pet but it’s against the law in your location.
1. Bat-eared Fox
Scientific Name: Otocyon megalotis
Why They Made The List: Although their names are not biologically correct, bat-eared foxes and foxes are so similar that they have the same name.
The canine species generally referred to as foxes is really bat-eared foxes. They’re not really foxes, though. In actuality, the body type resembles that of a dog rather than a fox.
However, bat-eared foxes share the large ears, sharp snout, and fluffy tail of the actual fox.
The face of the bat-eared fox resembles that of a raccoon when you look at it closely. With its silver body and black legs, it also has coloring more akin to that of a raccoon. It does not, however, have the distinctive ringed tail.
Naturally, the huge, spherical ears of the bat-eared fox—which account for almost one-third of its height—are the source of the species’ name. That’s remarkable given that bat-eared foxes often have ears that are nearly a foot high and a shoulder height of around three feet!
Remarkably, the closest extant cousins of the raccoon dog and the real fox are bat-eared foxes.
2. Raccoon Dog
Scientific Name (genus): Nyctereutes
Why They Made The List: Although they resemble long-legged raccoons more, raccoon dogs are very closely related to genuine foxes.
Nearly all of a fox’s characteristics, such as a long, fluffy coat, food, and tail, are shared by raccoons. They do, however, diverge significantly in a few crucial areas.
For instance, their fur is often coarser and longer. Raccoon dogs have far more bristles on their outside coat, even though they appear to be as soft as foxes.
Furthermore, in contrast to foxes, whose tails are often around the same length as their bodies, theirs is typically only about half as long.
Accept to it that, foxes and raccoon pets are very much alike. They are omnivores by nature, for instance, and have long, pointed snouts and tiny legs in relation to their bodies.
Raccoon dogs really do not hunt; instead, they are foragers, and their typical diet consists of berries, roots, carrion, and nuts.
But the reason raccoon dogs receive their moniker is because they resemble long-legged raccoons perfectly. This is true of both the ringed tail and the face’s raccoon-like patterning.
3. Raccoons
Scientific Name: Otocyon megalotis
Why They Made The List: Like raccoons, they are omnivores and have long, fluffy coats and tails.
Foxes and raccoons don’t share many characteristics. They do, nonetheless, have a number of surface-level similarities.
For instance, they are both tiny, omnivorous creatures that consume almost everything, including berries, seeds, nuts, and other small mammals.
They both dig burrows or dens in logs and hollows they find. Additionally, their fur, which has long, silky strands and vivid hues, resembles each other.
In addition, raccoons have slender legs, sharp, pointed noses, and tails that are about the length of their bodies. If not, there are no further parallels.
Nobody would liken a lumbering raccoon to a dainty fox. Furthermore, raccoons are far more adaptable than foxes because to their hands and devious abilities to unlock doors and locks.
Even so, you may confuse one for the other in the dark.
4. Red Panda
Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens
Why They Made The List: Red pandas resemble raccoons more than foxes, despite having long, fluffy fur and similar coloring.
Although red pandas aren’t really bears, they are well-known for being the smaller relatives of pandas.
Red pandas are really related to skunks and raccoons. They resemble raccoons the most in terms of physique as well, sharing a similar frame.
But in actuality, red pandas resemble foxes more than raccoons. The tail-to-body ratio, for instance, is more comparable.
In addition, they have larger, more pointed ears than raccoons and the same russet hue as the well-known red fox. Therefore, you might not be able to tell if a red panda is a fox or a raccoon if you didn’t know what you were looking at.
In fact, they are neither. They do, however, have raccoon-like patterns on their tail and nose.
However, they are bigger, weighing between 8 to 35 pounds, and their length, including the tail, is around 4 feet. This places them closer to the typical fox’s size range.
5. Bush Dog
Scientific Name: Speothos venaticus
Why They Made The List: Although they just have basic “dog-like” features in common, bush dogs are closely related to foxes and other canines.
Native to South America and Costa Rica, bush dogs are one of numerous native canines there.
Their large heads, short legs, and stocky bodies set them apart from foxes in terms of looks. In fact, some individuals believe that they resemble bears more than dogs.
Bush dogs, on the other hand, hunt in groups and are real dogs. In addition, they are among the most vicious of the indigenous dogs and have been observed to take down tapirs, which weigh ten times as much as a bush dog.
Bush dogs have brown hair that is short and thick. But the majority are black by birth. They also resemble bears in that they have round ears and a large skull.
This is further enhanced by the fact that the majority have a uniform brown hue with some darker marks on the nose or legs or stockings. Furthermore, some bush dogs have russet red coloring, which is akin to red fox.
6. Gray Foxes
Scientific Name (genus): Urocyon
Why They Made The List: Although they have the same name and appearance, grey foxes are not the same as real foxes.
The two “fox” species that make up the gray fox species are indigenous to California and the southern region of the Americas in the Northern Hemisphere. These canines resemble real foxes quite a bit.
They do, however, typically have larger tails in relation to their bodies, longer legs, and higher statures. Furthermore, most have shorter fur, however it might be hard to detect up close.
The most prevalent fox species in this area is the common gray fox. Its range reaches all the way down to South America from the southern portion of Canada.
But this little species has the closest resemblance to a real fox. Even though the Island Fox is often bigger and longer, it might really resemble a red fox in appearance.
Other than that, not much has changed. You would also probably have a hard time distinguishing the difference between an island gray fox and a red fox if you were to see one.
7. African Wild Dog
Scientific Name: Lycaon pictus
Why They Made The List: The African wild dog has a long tail and big, furry ears, giving it a dog-fox hybrid appearance.
Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the African wild dog, often known as the painted dog, is a multicolored dogs.
The animal is comparable to both the fox and the dog, but it’s now endangered, so it’s doubtful you’ll ever see one outside of a zoo.
African wild dogs are actually rust-colored and black, with tails that are roughly half as long as the body. But others could mistake them for big foxes because of their long ears, which reach over the skull.
Furthermore, the short fur of painted dogs is considerably more appropriate for their heated surroundings. Painted dogs, in contrast to foxes, are rarely omnivores and obtain at least 70% of their diet from antelope.
8. South American Foxes
Scientific Name: Lycalopex
Why They Made The List: Even to the skilled eye, false foxes appear to be foxes even when they aren’t.
Dogs of the canines type that resembled to South American foxes are known as South American Foxes. However, they are more closely related to wolves and jackals.
However, phony foxes may be hard to distinguish from real foxes, so you couldn’t determine that just by looking at them.
However, that varies according on the species. Some are quite similar to real foxes, such as Darwin’s Fox and the South American Gray Fox (Chilla).
Some, such as the Pampas Fox, resemble little coyotes more. Furthermore, albeit much less vibrant, the hoary fox has the same russet coloring as the red fox.
Other than that, genuine foxes and fake foxes are quite similar in terms of nutrition, socializing, and behaviors.
9. Dhole
Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus
Why They Made The List: Although their shorter coats, dholes and red foxes are among the animals that resemble one other the most visually.
Other than the Island Fox, the Dhole may be the mammal that resembles the red fox the most visually. Native to Southeast, East, Central, and South Asia are these foxes.
Additionally, despite their colors are often a little duller, russet coats have the same coloring as red foxes.
Dholes also have the large ears and lengthy tails that are typical of foxes. Their fur is shorter, and their torso and neck are a little stockier.
Other than that, not much indicates that this is much more than a big fox. Even the white neck and breast typical of red wolves are present in certain dholes.
However, they are somewhat bigger than other foxes, weigh up to 45 pounds.
Lastly, dholes are far more sociable than foxes. They are among the few dogs who aren’t territorial in the slightest, and when they go hunting, they divide into larger clans and smaller groups.
10. Maned Wolf
Scientific Name: Chysocon brachyurus
Why They Made The List: Maned wolves are huge canines that have a hyena’s ruff and fox-like markings.
Maned wolves are the largest native dogs and are exclusive to South America. In reality, they are among the biggest dogs in the Americas, reaching shoulders of up to three and a half feet.
They also resemble enormous foxes quite a bit, with their russet coats, black manes, and dark paws.
Maned wolves and red foxes are comparable in terms of face features and markings. They also have big, pointed ears that frequently protrude higher than the head.
However, maned wolves aren’t as fluffy as most foxes because of their shorter but still luxuriously smooth coat. The tail of a maned wolf appears much shorter even though it is significantly longer than a fox’s. The tail is likewise around the same length.
Maned wolves live alone, much like foxes. Outside of the mating season, it is quite uncommon that they will be spotted with other maned wolves. In addition, plants, such as wolf apples, account for more than half of their diet.
11. Crab-eating Fox
Scientific Name: Cerdocyon thous
Why They Made The List: Short and stocky foxes resemble crab-eating foxes, sometimes known as bush dogs.
The crab-eating fox, often referred to as the South American Bush Dog, is a medium-sized canid that is native to central South America. These foxes resemble silver foxes in both look and coloring.
In fact, you might not be able to distinguish one from the other without careful examination.
The fox that eats crabs, meanwhile, has a bigger chest and a stockier build. Its legs are longer as well.
Unlike other real foxes, the tail of this animal is likewise much shorter than the body and does not touch the ground. Even though they are considerably bigger, the ears are still around 30% smaller than those of a real fox.
Thus, there are a lot of variations. It’s doubtful, though, that you would notice the change if you didn’t know what you were looking at.
12. Coyotes
Scientific Name: Canis latrans
Why They Made The List: Gray foxes are occasionally mistaken for little coyotes because of their striking resemblance to small coyotes.
Coyotes are a natural breed of dog found across North America, extending from Centre America.
Plus, they have one of the biggest populations of any dog outside of domesticated dogs, with estimates ranging from 750 million to 1 billion, depending on whom you ask.
Coyotes can resemble foxes in appearance as well. When fully grown, coyotes may weigh more than 75 pounds and resemble little gray wolves.
However, these animals may grow to reach up to half that size, and they have evolved to live in mountains and polar environments by growing long, fluffy coats.
Aside from that, there are several distinctions, such as shorter tails, shorter hair, and smaller ears.
The coyote appears less elegant because of its more proportionate body and legs. Furthermore, you practically never see a single coyote since they live and hunt in packs.
13. Jackals
Scientific Name: Canina
Why They Made The List: These dogs frequently have big ears and fluffy tails, giving them a wolf and fox hybrid appearance.
In Africa and Eurasia, there are 3 natural dog species known as jackals. With their long and delicate legs, fluffy tails, and slender and pointed snouts, all three have a faint resemblance to foxes.
They are all considerably larger than the wolf’s ears, despite the fact that theirs are somewhat smaller than the fox’s.
There are also two genera of jackals. The Lupulella resemble foxes more in terms of build than in terms of coat.
These dogs have short hair on their legs and underbelly and shaggy fur on their backs. This affords them some cover from the heat and underbrush from above while enabling them to swiftly cool off in the savannah sun.
The golden jackal resembles a big, short-haired fox, while being more closely related to wolves.
Golden jackals are leaner and thinner than most coyotes, although you could also assume it looks like a coyote with a russet colored snout.
14. Wolves
Scientific Name: Canis lupus
Why They Made The List: While you would never confuse wolves for foxes, they are closely related and have some colors in common.
Large and frequently the heaviest canines in the wild are wolves. The gray wolf is bigger than most domestic dog breeds, weighing in at around 140 pounds.
However, wolves resemble foxes, but much larger, with a shaggy coat, white and black markings, and a sensitive snout.
But compared to most foxes, wolves are far less omnivorous. They hunt in packs as well. Additionally, they seldom ever dig their own dens; instead, they usually rely on caverns, fallen logs, and other types of natural cover to build a den.
Wolves are as incredibly adaptable as coyotes, and they may be found in any location where there is enough food to support a group.
15. Short-Eared Dog
Scientific Name: Atelocynus microtis
Why They Made The List: Although the short-eared dog may appear to be an odd hybrid of a dog and a cat, it really has a tight relationship with foxes and is known as “blue-eyed foxes” in Spanish.
The Amazon Basin is the exclusive home of the little dog known as the short-eared dog. Because of their extremely small range, very few people are aware of them, and science does not really know much about them.
These dogs do, however, have a close ancestry with other canids, such as foxes.
Nonetheless, there are a lot of distinctions amongst them. The semi-aquatic short-eared dog, for instance, spends a lot of time swimming.
It can paddle more effectively because of its big, webbed feet. Additionally, a large portion of its diet consists of fish and aquatic vegetation.
Its highly stocky neck and short hair further detract from the animal’s fox-like appearance. The legs, large bushy tail, and thin pointed nose certainly do.
16. Domestic Dog
Scientific Name: Canis familiaris
Why They Made The List: Certain canines resemble foxes so strongly that they are a suitable alternative for those who wish to own foxes as pets.
When you think of dogs, you most likely don’t think of foxes. However, certain breeds may get extremely close, like the Iceland Sheepdog, Kugsha’s, Indian Spitz, and even Pomeranians.
The majority of people associate foxes with little breeds that have long hair, slim frames, and sharp muzzles; yet, many dogs really resemble foxes.
They all have shorter tails and varying leg-to-body ratios, though. Dogs have rougher hair, thus it’s hard to find a dog with fur as soft as a fox’s.
Dogs are also group animals as opposed to lonely ones. Though they like digging just as much as foxes, they also don’t typically burrow.
Conclusion
In one way or another, almost all canids resemble foxes quite a little. However, the maned wolf, dhole, and fake foxes are your best options if you want the long bushy tail, silky hair, and elegant look of a fox. However, none of those are allowed to be kept as pets. However, if you choose with a Finnish Spitz, you can even come close to the hue. You may still have your spitz dog.