By
Kelly Vaughn

The gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is one of only two members of the dog family capable of climbing trees. (The other is the common raccoon dog, which is native to Asia.) The fox will do it to hunt for prey, dupe its predators or just sleep — which, admittedly, sounds pretty OK. These sly creatures are notable for their silver-gray coats, red legs and bushy tails that feature black tips and black stripes. The omnivores, which typically weigh 4 to 5 pounds, are found in canyons and some wooded areas, and they’re the most prevalent of Arizona’s three fox species. Like some humans, gray foxes will cache leftover food to eat later. Unlike most humans, they urinate on the spot where they’ve buried their stash — that way, other critters are less inclined to try to eat tomorrow’s lunch.