Foxes
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Animals' Voice: Guide on Foxes
Equally at home in an urban environment or woodland setting, foxes have been part of our landscapes for thousands of years. Their diet includes various animals, including birds, rats, rabbits, and fruit and vegetables.
They are opportunistic eaters, which has helped them to adapt and survive. You can often see foxes who live in urban environments rummaging through bins and venturing into back gardens.
A red fox typically weighs between 5-8 kg with an average life span of three years. Males are known as dog foxes, and females are known as vixens.
Foxes live in groups of one male and one female and their cubs. Breeding season occurs in the winter when foxes are at their most vocal.
You often hear them barking and making screeching noises to attract mates and ward off rivals.
The average litter for foxes is four to five cubs. A female usually gives birth to her litter in an underground den during the spring months.
Both parents will help to raise the cubs. The vixen will stay in the den nurturing the cubs while the dad will hunt for food.
The cubs will usually stay in the den for the first few months of their lives unless disturbed or it is hot. They are self-sufficient by autumn.
Some cubs will leave their parents and go to establish their dens. Others will stay with their parents and will play a role in helping to raise the following year’s litter.
Foxes are more active throughout the night; however, you can also see them during the day.
Mange can be dangerous to a fox; an infectious skin disease caused by the parasitic sarcoptic mite is easily spread to other foxes and can result in death due to dehydration, starvation and secondary infections.
Motor vehicles are the most common cause of injuries and fatalities for foxes. If a fox is hit by a car, it will likely go into shock or suffer a concussion, requiring immediate attention.
An unattended fox cub isn’t necessarily a cause for concern at first. The parents will likely care for them if they are asleep and lying down.
A hungry fox cub will probably be alone and make barking-type noises.
A litter of fox cubs together is a sign that the mother has probably been killed.
If there is a single fox cub alone, don’t touch it. It is likely to be looking for its parents.
Keep an eye on the cub, as it will be vulnerable to attacks from cats or dogs. The vixen will recover it after dark. The fox cub has likely strayed from its den.
Advice on injured foxes
Foxes have become more present in urban areas, sometimes placing them in direct conflict with humans.
They are well-known scavengers, and sadly, with their presence in urban areas, they are one of the most common victims of road accidents.
If you find an injured or sick fox or cub, keep a safe distance, and don’t try and handle them yourselves. If unsure if the fox is alive, tentatively approach it with a broom with a long handle before gently touching it.
Always contact or search for advice from a wildlife rescue if you need clarification and need advice. A fox might require urgent help in several ways, and you need to contact a rescue centre.
If a fox is hit by a car, it will likely go into shock; a qualified rehabilitator or vet needs to check it for a concussion, requiring immediate attention.
A dog bite is also necessary for intervention to check for injuries or shock.
While foxes are more present in urban environments, they should still fear humans. If an adult fox doesn’t move or attempt to run away, it is a sign it needs help, and something is wrong.
If any fox is trapped in wiring, netting, or fencing, don’t try, and rescue it. Call for urgent help from a nearby rescue centre as soon as possible.
Mange can be dangerous to a fox; it is an infectious skin disease that can be passed on to other foxes.
Fox cubs without mum aren’t necessarily a cause for concern; however, if you cannot check on them periodically, contact your local rescue centre for advice.