Fun Marble Fox Facts For Kids

Marble foxes are an artificially created breed of exotic animals. They are not a naturally occurring breed. Instead, they're a cross-breed of red and silver foxes deliberately bred by people. The breed is also known as the Canadian marble fox or the Arctic marble fox. The Canadian marble fox originated in Canada, while the Arctic marble fox is believed to be found only in the Arctic regions — but this is not true. The Arctic marble fox is produced due to genetic variances from the breeding of red fox and the Arctic fox. However, this is such an exotic animal that most people think of it as a fantasy creature. The Canadian marble foxes are supremely intelligent, and their large ears provide them with an excellent sense of hearing. Though Canadian marble foxes are domesticated to be kept as pets just like Arctic foxes, they are better left to the care of professionals and sanctuaries.

People think the Canadian marble fox and the arctic marble fox are different species of foxes, but they are the same, and they are named Canadian marble fox and Arctic marble fox only to differentiate between their habitats. The main difference between a Canadian marble fox and an Arctic marble fox is that the Arctic marble fox is believed to come from the Arctic fox lineage.

The major feature of their appearance is that they have symmetrical dark patterns on their brows and the rims of their noses, giving them a phantom-like appearance. They even have the same black stripes behind their perky little noses, adding to the mythological appearance. Some of them, though, have brown markings rather than black.

We've got some great marble fox facts and information for you to enjoy reading through. Do also read about our fact files on similar species such as island fox facts and Tibetan sand fox facts.
 

What type of animal is a marble fox?

The marble fox is a variation of the common red fox of genus Vulpes. They are bred by humans and so they get their color pattern of white and gray.

What class of animal does a marble fox belong to?

It belongs to the class Mammalia.

How many marble foxes are there in the world?

The exact number of marble foxes in the world is not known.

Where does a marble fox live?

Marble foxes are found mostly in private residences of polar regions such as Canada.

What is a marble fox habitat?

The habitat of a marble fox is the Arctic and a few Canadian regions.

Who do marble foxes live with?

Marble foxes prefer to live in packs of their own, although they do live with humans for the most part.

How long does a marble fox live?

A marble fox can live from 5-15 years. Breeding in captivity, a marble fox can live up to 10-15 years, but this breed can survive only about five years in the wild.

How do they reproduce?

These animals are born sterile, which means they are unable to replicate. This species of fox is claimed to have a territorial temperament, although this is yet to be confirmed by research. Only a few people have been reported to have hybrid foxes as pets, all of which were bred and treated from a young age.

What is their conservation status?

Since it is a hybrid species created by humankind, it has not yet been evaluated by any organization.

What do marble foxes look like?

This breed of exotic animal was created by man's influence rather than natural selection. They are not a naturally occurring breed. Their jackets are made of dense white fur that protects the majority of their bodies. Around their ears and eyes, much like a mask, there are various blends of greyish blacks or browns intertwining within one another, like marble; thus, their name is derived — the marble fox. They have a unique fur coloration. They're also known for their furry tail and unusual pointy muzzle. They inherit their large ears from red foxes.

There are several different types of foxes, each with its own personality. Their colors can be varied, differing from country to country. Some have brown fur with gray spots, tan coats, or the infamous red fox — a reddish-orange creature often seen playing a sly or clever role in children's books and fairytales. A genetic mutation causes the coloration of the marble fox, called the 'color process'. Usually, the highlight color runs down the neck and over the forehead, making an old-fashioned mask on their face.

How cute are they?

Because of their gorgeous fur, marble foxes are extremely cute, and hence these creatures are bred mostly for domestication and commercial purposes. They look very adorable.

How do they communicate?

As of now, there is barely any research to know about the mode of communication used by marble foxes, but they communicate in much the same way as other foxes.

How big is a marble fox?

A marble fox is not very big. Males are roughly 18-27 in (46-68 cm) tall, while females are about 20 in (52 cm) tall.

How fast can a marble fox run?

As of now, there isn't enough research to determine the speed of the marble fox. They may run as fast as any other fox species, around 28 mph (45 kph).

How much does a marble fox weigh?

An average marble fox weighs between 6-20 lb (2.7-9 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no separate name for male and female marble foxes.

What would you call a baby marble fox?

Marble fox babies are called kits, like all foxes.

What do they eat?

Red meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and certain dog food. They like candy, but most owners recommend only giving it to them once a month.

Are they dangerous?

Marble foxes are not at all dangerous but they are beyond intelligent. Although they may be domesticated, it is not advisable to keep them as pets as they are very different from ordinary pets like a cat or a dog. No matter how much owners bond with their pet marble foxes, these marble foxes will make a run for it the moment they get the chance. The breed is a genetic variation of the original red fox and the arctic fox, both having wild characteristics and considered exotic animals. In the canine group of animals, unlike the domesticated dog, foxes are prone to being unpredictable and infamously sly.

Would they make a good pet?

Owning a marble fox as a pet is a daunting task. The first six months are crucial for foxes for attachment, so it's best to choose one as young as a kit to be kept as a pet. It could be the difference between a happy relationship and a rocky one. Since foxes usually give birth in April, it is good to contact breeders in March. They can be litter trained, although it would take them even longer than cats, who tend to realize how to go about their business pretty quickly. Prepare therefore to work patiently with marble foxes for the initial months. Under six months of age, though, these kits are completely fearless, and this is the best time to bond and create a great rapport with them. It is also important to note that marble fox kits must be bottle-fed as an integral part of the bonding process.

Owning a marble fox as a pet is neither easy nor preferable, like in the case of a dog or cat. They are very different from ordinary cuddly pets like dogs or cats. A lot of training would go into disciplining a pet marble fox. There are dealers and breeders around where somebody could look into getting one from, but it can be only a 'get at your own risk' scenario; since the original sources were of the wild and you won't know the outcome of the fox unless you live with it. However, it is also important to find a reputed dealer because most dealers or breeders are just in for money.

Moreover, marble foxes can cost a lot. Spending more than $600 on a regular fox would be unwise. Russian foxes, on the other hand, are very expensive, costing at least $8,000. According to the most recent study, there is only one Russian fox breeder in the United States, based in Florida. Fennec foxes retail for $2,500-$3,000 on average and are considered the most dangerous foxes of them all. On that note, it is impossible to place a price on an Arctic marble fox or a Canadian marble fox because different levels of marbling appeal to different individuals, and beauty is subjective. Even after that, the maintenance of a Canadian marble fox or an Arctic marble fox costs a fortune. It would really not be a good idea to have this pet in a home with small children or domesticated cats. Dogs can be acceptable because they have similar characteristics, but the distinction between the two is that a fox is not good at being disciplined.

Did you know...

According to the Fur Commission USA, the first arctic marble fox was born in Norway in 1945 from a silver fox litter on a man named Sverre Omber's farm. When a red fox and an arctic fox were bred together, a genetic mutation, or color process, occurred. As a result, it can be classified as a color morph that does not exist naturally.

Pink champagne is the rarest fox color.

Arctic foxes are considered to be the cutest and most regal foxes of them all.

A dog may be conditioned due to its alpha mentality. A fox, on the other hand, is more autonomous and does not see the need to be educated. They'd like the candy, but not enough to do as the teacher or owner requests. Moreover, foxes are very smelly. They have a foul odor because of which could be even more difficult to keep at home. Training, spaying, and neutering foxes is a smart option. They will, however, continue to mark their territories after the process, unlike dogs and cats. Spaying will reduce the odor arising from their markings to some extent. So, keeping a marble fox, in reality, is much more difficult than it sounds.

In what states is it legal to own a fox?

There are a lot of legal aspects involved in keeping a marble fox as a pet. Even if exotic creatures are dying, many veterinarians refuse to treat them. There are a few issues. Some fear that if it dies in their hands, the owner will sue them. Some people are concerned about the legal ramifications if one of their helpers gets injured while treating it. Some people may just lack the resources to care for it while it recovers from surgery. While foxes are common exotic pets, keeping them is illegal in 35 states. However, foxes are legal to domesticate and own in the following regions: Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming.

Do foxes bark?

Some foxes do bark like dogs but do not actually scream as such. It's a slightly different tone of voice which is often described as being wilder.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our dik-dik facts and lemming facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable marble fox coloring pages.

Thank you to Kidadler greenartbysteph for providing the image of their rescued pet Marble Fox in this article.