Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail ("brush"). Twelve species belong to the monophyletic "true fox" group of genus Vulpes. Approximately another 25 current or extinct species are always or sometimes called foxes; these foxes are either part of the paraphyletic group of the South American foxes, or of the outlying group, which consists of the bat-eared fox, gray fox, and island fox.[1] Foxes live on every continent except Antarctica. The most common and widespread species of fox is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with about 47 recognized subspecies.[2] The global distribution of foxes, together with their widespread reputation for cunning, has contributed to their prominence in po[CENSORED]r culture and folklore in many societies around the world. The hunting of foxes with packs of hounds, long an established pursuit in Europe, especially in the British Isles, was exported by European settlers to various parts of the New World. Etymology The word fox comes from Old English and derives from Proto-Germanic *fuhsaz.[nb 1] This in turn derives from Proto-Indo-European *puḱ- "thick-haired, tail."[nb 2] Male foxes are known as dogs, tods, or reynards; females as vixens; and young as cubs, pups, or kits, though the last term is not to be confused with the kit fox, a distinct species. "Vixen" is one of very few modern English words that retain the Middle English southern dialectal "v" pronunciation instead of "f"; i.e., northern English "fox" versus southern English "vox".[3] A group of foxes is referred to as a skulk, leash, or earth.[4][5] Phylogenetic relationships Comparative illustration of skulls of a true fox (left) and gray fox (right), with differing temporal ridges and subangular lobes indicated Within the Canidae, the results of DNA analysis shows several phylogenetic divisions: The fox-like canids, which include the kit fox (Vulpes velox), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), Cape fox (Vulpes chama), Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), and fennec fox (Vulpes zerda).[6] The wolf-like canids, (genus Canis, Cuon and Lycaon) including the dog (Canis lupus familiaris), gray wolf (Canis lupus), red wolf (Canis rufus), eastern wolf (Canis lycaon), coyote (Canis latrans), golden jackal (Canis aureus), Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis), black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), side-striped jackal (Canis adustus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus).[6] The South American canids, including the bush dog (Speothos venaticus), hoary fox (Lycalopex uetulus), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) and maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).[6] Various monotypic taxa, including the bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides).[6] Biology Fox skeleton General morphology Foxes are generally smaller than some other members of the family Canidae such as wolves and jackals, while they may be larger than some within the family, such as raccoon dogs. In the largest species, the red fox, males weigh on average between 4.1 and 8.7 kilograms (9 and 19+1⁄4 pounds),[7] while the smallest species, the fennec fox, weighs just 0.7 to 1.6 kg (1+1⁄2 to 3+1⁄2 lb).[8] Fox features typically include a triangular face, pointed ears, an elongated rostrum, and a bushy tail. They are digitigrade (meaning they walk on their toes). Unlike most members of the family Canidae, foxes have partially retractable claws.[9] Fox vibrissae, or whiskers, are black. The whiskers on the muzzle, known as mystacial vibrissae, average 100–110 millimetres (3+7⁄8–4+3⁄8 inches) long, while the whiskers everywhere else on the head average to be shorter in length. Whiskers (carpal vibrissae) are also on the forelimbs and average 40 mm (1+5⁄8 in) long, pointing downward and backward.[2] Other physical characteristics vary according to habitat and adaptive significance. Pelage Fox species differ in fur color, length, and density. Coat colors range from pearly white to black-and-white to black flecked with white or grey on the underside. Fennec foxes (and other species of fox adapted to life in the desert, such as kit foxes), for example, have large ears and short fur to aid in keeping the body cool.[2][9] Arctic foxes, on the other hand, have tiny ears and short limbs as well as thick, insulating fur, which aid in keeping the body warm.[10] Red foxes, by contrast, have a typical auburn pelt, the tail normally ending with a white marking.[11] A fox's coat color and texture may vary due to the change in seasons; fox pelts are richer and denser in the colder months and lighter in the warmer months. To get rid of the dense winter coat, foxes moult once a year around April; the process begins from the feet, up the legs, and then along the back.[9] Coat color may also change as the individual ages.[2
sOURCE :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox
he smouldering tyre sat stacked on top of another behind the Red Bull garage, the stench wafting up past the flutes and canapés of Albert Park’s corporate hospitality above. Its demise disappointing for fans of Max Verstappen, but a source of optimism for the rest of the Formula One field. It was on lap three of race three of the 2024 season that Red Bull’s aura of invincibility burst. Verstappen had won nine straight races and when he streaked off from pole looked likely to make it 10. That would also have been three from three in 2024. Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz wins the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. Carlos Sainz wins Australian F1 Grand Prix in one-two finish for Ferrari Read more But within minutes he had complained on the radio he had “lost the car” as smoke billowed from his rear right. Moments later he was in the pits, a fire extinguisher dulling the flames. On the track, his teammate Sergio Pérez was struggling against the Ferraris and McLarens. Off it, the press descended upon Verstappen in the paddock. The pit crew wheeled out his unused tyres from his garage, one stack almost toppling into a cameraman when the trolley dug into the grass. All weekend, the cloud of controversy was never far from the beleaguered team principal, Christian Horner. The signs had been ominous. “It’s such a long way to come,” Horner had said loudly to a group of hangers‑on in the paddock before the race. But it was worth the trip for the resurgent Ferrari, after Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc made it a one-two for the prancing horse, with Leclerc also recording the race’s fastest lap. The red car had looked competitive all weekend, and on Sunday comfortably held off the chasing McLarens and the Red Bull of Pérez. The race had finished under yellow following a late accident involving George Russell. That meant Mercedes finished without a point, after Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire early in the race. Hamilton had struggled all weekend and missed Q1, starting outside the top 10 in his final appearance for Mercedes in Melbourne before he leaves for Ferrari next season. He looked most comfortable on the back of a steward’s motorcycle after his DNF. In the Albert Park infield it toot‑tooted the VIPs away, before the English driver slid on to his scooter for the trip down the paddock. On the track, his teammate Sergio Pérez was struggling against the Ferraris and McLarens. Off it, the press descended upon Verstappen in the paddock. The pit crew wheeled out his unused tyres from his garage, one stack almost toppling into a cameraman when the trolley dug into the grass. All weekend, the cloud of controversy was never far from the beleaguered team principal, Christian Horner. The signs had been ominous. “It’s such a long way to come,” Horner had said loudly to a group of hangers‑on in the paddock before the race. But it was worth the trip for the resurgent Ferrari, after Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc made it a one-two for the prancing horse, with Leclerc also recording the race’s fastest lap. The red car had looked competitive all weekend, and on Sunday comfortably held off the chasing McLarens and the Red Bull of Pérez. The race had finished under yellow following a late accident involving George Russell. That meant Mercedes finished without a point, after Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire early in the race. Hamilton had struggled all weekend and missed Q1, starting outside the top 10 in his final appearance for Mercedes in Melbourne before he leaves for Ferrari next season. He looked most comfortable on the back of a steward’s motorcycle after his DNF. In the Albert Park infield it toot‑tooted the VIPs away, before the English driver slid on to his scooter for the trip down the paddock. Source :https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2024/mar/24/australian-formula-one-grand-prix-f1-melbourne-max-verstappen-red-bull-carlos-sainz-ferrari-aura-of-invincibility-goes-up-in-flames
