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| Red Fox v Common Raccoon | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 10 2012, 10:22 PM (20,538 Views) | |
| Taipan | Apr 10 2012, 10:22 PM Post #1 |
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Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America and the steppes of Asia. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been introduced to Australia, where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird populations. Red foxes have elongated bodies and relatively short limbs. The tail, which is longer than half the body length (70% of head and body length), is long, fluffy and reaches the ground when in a standing position. Red foxes are the largest species of the genus Vulpes. However, relative to dimensions, red foxes are much lighter than similarly sized dogs of the Canis genus. Their limb bones, for example, weigh 30% less per unit area of bone than expected for similarly sized dogs. They display significant individual, sexual, age and geographical variation in size. On average, adults measure 35–50 cm (14–20 in) high at the shoulder and 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 in) in body length with tails measuring 30 to 63 in (760 to 1,600 mm). The ears measure 7.7–12.5 cm (3–5 in) and the hind feet 12–18.5 cm (5–7 in). They weigh 2.2 to 14 kg (4.9 to 31 lb), with vixens typically weighing 15–20% less than males. ![]() Common Raccoon - Procyon lotor The raccoon, Procyon lotor (sometimes spelled as 'racoon'), also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, northern raccoon and colloquially as coon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. The body weight of an adult raccoon varies considerably with habitat; it can range from 2 to 14 kilograms (4 to 30 lb), but is usually between 3.5 and 9 kilograms (8 and 20 lb). The smallest specimens are found in Southern Florida, while those near the northern limits of the raccoon's range tend to be the largest. Males are usually 15 to 20% heavier than females. At the beginning of winter, a raccoon can weigh twice as much as in spring because of fat storage. It is one of the most variably sized of all mammals. The largest recorded wild raccoon weighed 28.4 kg (62.6 lb) and measured 140 cm (55 in) in total length, by far the largest size recorded for a procyonid. The raccoon is usually nocturnal and is omnivorous, with a diet consisting of about 40% invertebrates, 33% plant foods, and 27% vertebrates. It has a grayish coat, of which almost 90% is dense underfur, which insulates against cold weather. Two of its most distinctive features are its extremely dexterous front paws and its facial mask, which are themes in the mythology of several Native American tribes. Raccoons are noted for their intelligence, with studies showing that they are able to remember the solution to tasks up to three years later. ![]() _____________________________________________________________________________
Edited by Taipan, Jul 20 2012, 08:30 PM.
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| k9boy | Jun 29 2013, 11:57 PM Post #61 |
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Apex Predator
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I've seen that video. Look how long it took the dog to kill the much smaller coon. It would have killed a fox much quicker. A british male red fox would have a chance though, If he manages to grab the coons throat. Darting in and out would be a good strategy, waiting for the right moment. The fox would have no trouble avoiding the coon, they avoid eurasian badgers quite easily when lunged at, which are faster then raccoons. Though, if he fails to grab the throat the raccoon would overwhelm him. This would be an interesting fight if it was two 30lb animals. Edited by k9boy, Jun 30 2013, 12:02 AM.
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| Vivec | Jun 30 2013, 12:33 AM Post #62 |
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Canid and snake enthusiast.
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The Collie didn't finish it off though, if it wanted too it could have had that coon dead rather quickly, same with the Red Fox, neither of them have powerful necks. Personally the Raccoon seems to be a more robust animal, but that depends on individual size, Red Fox have quite decent bites for canids oddly enough, superior to a lot of its similar sized brethren. |
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| Full Throttle | Jun 30 2013, 12:57 AM Post #63 |
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Apex Predator
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A border collie could kill either a raccoon or a red fox, it has a size advantage over both species, the border collies at the old farm we used to stable at killed a fox once, though both are capable of putting up a good fight. As for this matchup, the one thing these two species have in common is a great degree of geographical variation, so to make this fight as fair as possible we should use similar sized animals, the average weight for a male raccoon is 3.5-9kg whilst the average weight for an adult male red fox is 4-14 kg. So, lets say both are 6kg each. Now, in terms of weaponry the fox possesses the larger teeth however raccoon's are capable of putting up a very spirited defense, they've left some very nasty wounds on domestic dogs larger than themselves. If it came to a prolonged struggle between the two at equal weights I can honestly I don't know who i'd favor, the fox could end the coon if it found a favorable position, however the coon could also simply out muscle the fox and take control of the fight. In all the natural altercations between the two the fox relies on the typical fleet footed bob and weave maneuver of wild canids, whilst the raccoon makes good the upfront bluff fighting style, however these videos provide only a brief insight into how these two species would handle each other in a full blown fight, they do give a good comparison between the fox and the coon: |
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| Koolyote | Feb 16 2014, 10:27 PM Post #64 |
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Martes
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Well said Full Throttle, this still is a close fight, the Raccoon can grapple and the Red Fox has a stronger bite but the Coon is much more durable. Raccoon wins 6.5/10. Edited by Koolyote, Feb 16 2014, 10:28 PM.
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| 1.0reef | Feb 17 2014, 08:46 AM Post #65 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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My 10 pound cat killed a big coon, barely beat a gray fox, so I'd give it to the fox. |
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| k9boy | Feb 17 2014, 08:49 AM Post #66 |
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Apex Predator
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^ HA |
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| Hatzegopteryx | Feb 17 2014, 08:57 AM Post #67 |
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Unicellular Organism
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Raccoon skull:![]() Red Fox skull: ![]() Neither of them look very impressive to me. Red Fox: ~2.2-14kg Raccoon: ~3.5-9kg At minimum sizes, the latter is larger, but at maximum sizes, the former is larger. Either way, I call this 50/50, with maybe a slight edge to the Red Fox. |
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