Foxes, particularly the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), follow a seasonal reproductive cycle that begins in the winter months, typically between December and February. During this time, males known as dog foxes become increasingly territorial and vocal, often engaging in fierce competition for access to receptive females, or vixens. Vixens signal their readiness to mate through high-pitched screams that can be heard echoing through forests and fields at night. Once a pair forms, they may remain monogamous for life, although some foxes do switch partners between seasons. Mating itself is a prolonged process, sometimes lasting up to 20 minutes, and is often accompanied by loud vocalizations and a characteristic copulatory tie, where the pair remains physically connected for a short time. After successful mating, the vixen undergoes a gestation period of approximately 51 to 53 days. She prepares a den, often repurposing an abandoned burrow or digging beneath tree roots, where she gives birth to a litter of four to nine kits in early spring. These kits are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. During the first few weeks, the vixen rarely leaves the den, relying on the male to hunt and bring back food. As the kits grow, they begin to open their eyes, develop fur, and explore the area around the den. By eight to ten weeks, they are weaned and start learning survival skills through play and observation. By autumn, the young foxes disperse to establish their own territories, continuing the cycle of life in the wild.