1. Northern part of Africa, including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria.
2. The entire territory of Europe.
3. Asia to the very north of India.
4. North America to the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Australia (except for some northern parts).

Thus, the animal can be found on almost all continents; foxes acclimatize well and inhabit all geographical and landscape zones: steppes, deserts, tundra, etc.

Foxes give greater preference to those natural areas where there are ravines, hills and groves in open areas. These canids choose those natural areas where the snow cover is not very deep, which makes it difficult for them to move and see the area. The fox is a sedentary animal. But migration is also characteristic of some of these mammals. This most often occurs in the tundra, mountains or deserts.

Description of the fox

Foxes are incredibly beautiful animals to which songs, poems, fables and even paintings have been dedicated. Depending on their habitat, these predators acquire unusual appearance features compared to the usual forest beauties.

The fox got its poetic name for its coat painted in gold. The Slavs always observed the inhabitants of the forest, noticing any distinctive details of appearance, behavior or even voice. Translated from Old Church Slavonic, “fox” meant “yellowish.” That’s why cheerful red mushrooms are called “chanterelles.”

There is another version of the interpretation of the word. A number of etymologists believe that “fox” is derived from the Slavic “lis” (wife, husband). This theory is also explained in different ways: some explain that some species of these predators create monogamous pairs and raise cubs together, others suggest that this is what cunning wives were called. There is a third assumption. The word "fox" comes from the Polish "liszka" (dashing). Thus, the mischievous nature of the animal is noticed.

Functions of a fox's tail

All foxes have a fluffy long tail, which not only decorates the animal, but also serves as a useful adaptation for survival. It allows you to develop greater speed when running, being a special pole for balance. The tail also serves as an effective rudder. When a predator (for example, a dog) is chasing a red-haired rogue and is about to grab it, the fluffy train turns sharply at a right angle and the animal instantly turns to the side. The pursuer rushes on in bewilderment.

Many have probably wondered: “Why do foxes have a white tip of their tail?” The answer is quite simple. A fox in the forest must constantly monitor its cubs. In order not to lose sight of the little ones among the foliage, a white beacon was created, which every little one cheerfully raises for mom.

The fox stores some nutrients in its tail for a rainy day. This fluffy tool also serves as a blanket for the animal. In cold weather, the fox covers its nose or cubs with its tail. Animals can even communicate using this body part! When raised, it shows the strength of the beast and its readiness to defend territory and prey.

Did you know that a fox's tail smells like violets? Right at its base there is a fairly large gland that produces the aroma of flowers. This is the perfect camouflage device! When escaping from pursuit, a fox in the forest covers its tracks and hides its scent.

How much does a fox weigh?

Depending on the species, foxes can reach lengths from 40 cm to 90 cm. The length of the tail of an adult individual ranges from 20 to 60 cm. And the weight is from 1.5 to 14 kg.

Fox's eyes

The eyes of a fox are one of the animal's main weapons when hunting. Vision is tuned to moving objects, which allows you to instantly notice potential prey. Even a butterfly flying past will not be able to hide from a clever predator. Also, all types of foxes are perfectly oriented in the dark, since it is at night that animals go hunting. Not a single bird sleeping peacefully on the ground or in the thickets will go unnoticed.

Foxes have excellent visual memory. This allows predators to remember places of refuge and paths. This ability is very important for survival in the harsh conditions of the wild.

Fox fur

The condition of an animal’s fur coat must be acceptable for normal existence in a certain area. All types of foxes are carefully prepared for the environmental conditions in which they will live.

In summer, the coat color of these predators is camouflage. Neither you nor the small animals will notice the approach of the fox. In the north, arctic foxes are dressed in white fur that blends with the snow. In the mountains, where rocks and poor soil combine, foxes camouflage themselves in spotted (gray with ocher) coats. Residents of dry deserts naturally received yellow or light ocher fur. In the forest, the common fox with its dull red robe hides well against the background of branches, earth and fallen leaves.

Until now, scientists have not figured out why the fur of these predators does not adapt in color to other seasons. The fact is that many types of foxes become brighter with the onset of winter. Red, brown and black animals stand out against the background of white snow, which, oddly enough, does not affect the efficiency of hunting.

However, depending on the temperature, the structure of the fox's coat changes. The animal adapts to nature. In summer, the fox's fur is sparse, dull, without undercoat, and lies tightly to the body. This makes it much easier to keep your body cool. In winter, after seasonal molting, foxes dress in thick clothes. The thick undercoat prevents heat from escaping and keeps you warm, like a down jacket. The upper fibers are impregnated with a special secretion that prevents the predator from getting wet (foxes often fall asleep in the snow).

Types of foxes

Below is a brief description of several varieties of foxes:

• Common fox (red fox) (lat. Vulpes vulpes) is the largest representative of the fox genus. The weight of the fox reaches 10 kilograms, and the length of the body including the tail is 150 cm. Depending on the area of ​​residence, the color of the fox may vary slightly in tonal saturation, but the main color of the back and sides remains bright red, and the belly is white. Black “stockings” are clearly visible on the legs. A characteristic feature of the common fox is the white tip of the tail and dark, almost black ears. Its habitat includes all of Europe, North Africa, Asia (from India to Southern China), North America and Australia. Representatives of this species of foxes happily eat field mice, hares, and young roe deer; when the opportunity arises, they destroy the nests of geese and wood grouse, and feed on carrion, beetles, and insect larvae. Surprisingly, the red fox is a fierce destroyer of oat crops: in the absence of a meat menu, it attacks cereal farmland, causing damage to it.

• American fox (lat. Vulpesmacrotis) – a medium-sized predatory mammal. The body length of a fox varies from 37 cm to 50 cm, the tail reaches a length of 32 cm, the weight of an adult fox ranges from 1.9 kg (for a female) to 2.2 kg (for a male). The back of the animal is colored yellowish-gray or whitish, and the sides are yellowish-brown. The distinctive features of this fox species are a white belly and a black tip of the tail. The lateral surface of the muzzle and the sensitive whiskers are dark brown or black. The length of the fur hairs does not exceed 50 mm. The fox lives in the southwestern deserts of the United States and north of Mexico, feeding on hares and rodents (kangaroo hoppers).

• Afghan fox (Bukhara, Balochistan fox) (lat. Vulpescana)- a small animal belonging to the Canidae family. The length of the fox does not exceed 0.5 meters. The length of the tail is 33-41 cm. The weight of the fox ranges from 1.5-3 kilograms. The Bukhara fox differs from other types of foxes in its rather large ears, the height of which reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes running from the upper lip to the corners of the eyes. In winter, the color of the fox's fur on the back and sides becomes a rich brownish-gray color with individual black guard hairs. In summer, its intensity decreases, but the whitish color of the throat, chest and belly remains unchanged. The Afghan fox does not have hair on the surface of its paw pads, which protects other desert foxes from the hot sand. The main habitat of the fox is the east of Iran, the territory of Afghanistan and Hindustan. Less common in Egypt, Turkmenistan, UAE, Pakistan. The Afghan fox is an omnivore. He eats locusts, mice and gophers with appetite, and does not refuse the vegetarian menu.

• African fox (lat. Vulpespallida) has an external resemblance to the red fox (lat. Vulpes vulpes) but has a more modest size. The total length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 70-75 cm, and the weight rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg. Unlike the common fox, its African relative has longer legs and ears. The color of the back, legs and tail with a black tip is red with a brown tint, and the muzzle and belly are white. A black rim is clearly visible around the eyes of adult individuals, and a strip of dark-colored fur runs along the ridge. The African fox lives in African countries - it can often be seen in Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. The fox's food consists of both animals (small rodents, lizards) and plant components.

• Bengal fox (Indian fox) (lat. Vulpesbengalensis). This type of fox is characterized by medium size. The height of adult individuals at the withers does not exceed 28-30 cm, the weight of the fox ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 kg, and the maximum body length reaches 60 cm. The length of the fox's tail with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. Wool, which forms the hairline , short and smooth. It is colored in various shades of sandy brown or reddish brown. This species of fox lives in the foothills of the Himalayas and thrives in India and in Bangladesh and Nepal. The Indian fox's menu always includes sweet fruits, but preference is given to lizards, bird eggs, mice, and insects.

• Corsac, steppe fox (lat. Vulpescorsac) has a vague resemblance to the common fox, however, unlike it, representatives of this species of fox have a shorter pointed muzzle, large wide ears and longer legs. The body length of an adult corsac is 0.5-0.6 m, and the weight of a fox ranges from 4 to 6 kg. The color of the back, sides and tail of the fox is gray, sometimes with a red or red tint, and the color of the belly is yellowish or white. A characteristic feature of this species is the light coloration of the chin and lower lip, as well as the dark brown or black color of the tip of the tail. The steppe fox lives in many countries: from southeastern Europe to Asia, including Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. Often found in the Caucasus and the Urals, lives on the Don and in the lower Volga region. Steppe foxes feed on rodents (voles, jerboas, mice), destroy nests, hunting for bird eggs, and sometimes attack hedgehogs and hares. There is practically no plant food in the diet of the steppe fox.

• Sand fox (lat. Vulpesrueppelli) has characteristically large, wide ears and paws, the pads of which are protected from the hot sand by a thick coat of fur. Unlike most of their relatives, representatives of this species of fox have well-developed not only hearing and smell, but also vision. The pale brown color of the back, tail and sides with individual white guard hairs serves as a good camouflage color for the fox in sandy and stone placers in its habitat. The weight of adult animals rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg, and the length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 85-90 cm. The sand fox lives in desert areas. Numerous populations are found in the sands of the Sahara Desert - from Morocco and sultry Egypt to Somalia and Tunisia. The sand fox's diet is not very diverse, which is due to its habitat. The fox's food includes lizards, jerboas and mice, spiders and scorpions, which the animal is absolutely not afraid of and deftly absorbs.

• Tibetan fox (lat. Vulpesferrilata) grows to a size of 60-70 cm and weighs about 5 kg. The rusty-brown or fiery red color of the back, gradually turning into the light gray color of the sides and white belly, creates the impression of stripes running along the body of the fox. Fox fur is dense and longer than other species. The fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau, and is less common in northern India, Nepal, and some provinces of China. The food of the Tibetan fox is varied, but its basis is pikas (hay stands), although the fox happily catches mice and hares, does not disdain birds and their eggs, and eats lizards and sweet berries.

• South African fox (lat. Vulpes chama)- a fairly large animal with a weight of 3.5 to 5 kg and a body length of 45 to 60 cm. The length of the tail is 30-40 cm. The color of the fox varies from gray with a silver tint to almost black on the back and gray with a yellowish tint on the belly . The fox lives exclusively in the countries of Southern Africa, with especially large populations found in Angola and Zimbabwe. An omnivorous species of foxes: they eat small rodents, lizards, low-nesting birds and their eggs, carrion and even food waste, which the animal looks for when entering private yards or landfills.

The character and lifestyle of the fox

The fox most often prefers to get its food during the day. But she has absolutely all the necessary skills for night hunting, which she sometimes does. Its sense organs are very highly developed; many predators can envy them.

The fox's vision is at such a high level that it sees everything even during rather poor visibility. Her ears, which constantly move, pick up the slightest rustling, this helps the fox notice rodents. At the slightest hint that a mouse is nearby, the fox completely freezes and tries in this position to figure out where and how the rodent is sitting.

After this, she makes a powerful jump and lands right on the victim, pressing him tightly to the ground. Each predator has its own territory marked with excrement. Many farmers consider this animal as an agricultural pest. This issue can be viewed from two sides, completely opposite to each other.

Yes, these predators are considered a threat to poultry; they can sneak into the chicken coop and steal it. But it was noticed that the fox chooses the weakest and most unadapted chickens. On the other hand, the “red beast” destroys rodents in the fields and near barns, which helps save and double the harvest.

For foxes, encounters with eagles, coyotes, wolves, bears, cougars and humans are very dangerous. In addition to the fact that people hunt the animal for its beautiful, valuable fur, pathetic hunting has long been open for the animal, during which horsemen with dogs surround the fox and drive it to death.

This particular type of hunting has been banned since 2004, but all other types of hunting remain legal. In Japan this animal is revered. For them, the fox is the God of rain and the messenger of the God of rice. According to the Japanese, the fox protects a person from evil and is a symbol of longevity. Native Americans differed in their opinions about this animal. Those Indians who live closer to the North say that she is a wise and noble messenger from heaven. Tribes living on the plains claim that the fox is a cunning and sneaky predator that can lure a person into a deadly embrace in a matter of seconds.

For us, a fox is a wise, decisive animal with an incredible desire for action. In the animal world, foxes are animals with enormous internal qualities and potential.

Where does the fox live: habits of the fox. Fox holes

Foxes don't always live in holes. They use these dwellings only when raising offspring, and spend the rest of their time in the open. Foxes have practically no sense of home. They settle where they like, and even then not for long. The fox willingly digs holes near human dwellings; sometimes foxes even wander into big cities. A fox often does not want to dig a hole on its own and uses other people’s homes; for example, a fox greatly respects convenient holes dug by a badger.

A seasoned fox acquires burrows not only to raise offspring in them or to shelter from prolonged bad weather. Burrows often serve as refuge for them in case of danger. An old fox, as usual, has not one hole where her brood is placed, but several at once, which provide her with a reliable shelter in exceptional cases.

Fox hatching holes are mainly located on the slopes of a ravine, not far from a stream, in the forest thicket, that is, where people usually do not wander. It happens that a fox returns from year to year to the hole she once dug. Then such “apartments” are constantly expanded, renovated, and acquired several additional “rooms,” which are usually located on 2–3 floors. Hunters are well acquainted with such holes and call them “centuries-old”.

Typically, a fox's hatching hole is equipped with several exits - holes, which allow it to quietly leave its shelter in case of danger. The main snout, which the fox regularly uses to enter and exit, is visible from afar. Usually this is a clean area, sprinkled with sand, which appeared here as a result of many years of cleaning the hole. Here you can often see fox cubs playing.

Shedding period for a fox

By the end of winter, the fox's coat, previously shiny and fluffy, begins to fade and becomes rough. The fox begins a period of molting - its hair falls out, and the animal loses its external attractiveness. Shedding occurs quite quickly, and by May the foxes acquire a new coat - a summer coat. If the fox is sick or thin, the molting period is extended, and then even in June you can see a fox with disheveled winter fur. Summer wool is not valued: it is coarse and sparse, since there is practically no undercoat - with the beginning of autumn the wool begins to thicken. And only with the onset of cold weather does fox fur begin to be considered full-fledged.

What does a fox eat? How does a fox hunt?

The fox is an excellent hunter. In addition to observation and intelligence, she has excellent memory, a good sense of smell and remarkably acute hearing. The squeak of a vole, for example, can be heard by a fox 100 meters away. Being a predator, the fox eats a wide variety of animals. She happily eats mice, hares, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles, digs earthworms out of the ground after rain, and catches fish and crayfish in the river. But the red-haired rogue especially loves to feast on birds. That's why she often looks into chicken coops. By the way, the fox is not at all scared by the human neighborhood, so you can often find a fox hole very close to the village. The fox successfully supplements its meat diet with berries, apples, and vegetables.

Each fox has its own individual feeding area. She jealously protects it from the intrusion of strangers and always knows what is going on near her hole. The fox usually hunts in the evening and at night, although there are exceptions. Some animals prefer to bypass the bedding areas of hares during the day, hunt for birds, and feed exclusively on large game, neglecting mice or frogs.

Despite the fact that the fox will not miss the opportunity to feast on a gaping hare, catch a grouse or destroy a bird's nest, in the forest it brings much more benefit than harm. The main food of foxes remains voles, mice, gophers and other rodents that cause harm to agriculture. And growing fox cubs in large numbers destroy cockchafers - known pests in forest areas.

Reproduction

Like the wolf, the fox is a monogamous animal that breeds only once a year. The time of the rut and its effectiveness depend on the weather and the fatness of the animals. There are years when up to 60% of females are left without offspring.

Even in winter, foxes begin searching for places to breed their young, and jealously guard them. There are practically no ownerless holes at this time; in the event of the death of one female, her home is immediately occupied by another. A female is often courted by two or three males, and bloody fights occur between them.

Foxes are good parents. Males take an active part in raising their offspring, and also take care of their friends even before the cubs appear. They improve the burrows and even catch fleas from females. If the father dies, another single male takes his place; sometimes the foxes even fight among themselves for the right to become a stepfather.

Pregnancy in foxes lasts 49–58 days. The litter contains from 4–6 to 12–13 puppies, covered with dark brown hair. Outwardly, they resemble wolf cubs, but differ in the white tip of the tail. At two weeks of age, fox cubs begin to see and hear, and their first teeth erupt. Both parents take part in raising fox cubs. The father and mother show extreme caution at this time, and if there is a threat, they will immediately transfer the cubs to a spare hole. They are also forced to hunt around the clock to feed their offspring. Growing puppies begin to leave their “home” early and are often found far from it, while still very small.

For a month and a half, the mother feeds the foxes milk; in addition, parents gradually accustom their cubs to regular food, as well as to obtaining it. Soon, the grown-up fox cubs begin to go hunting with their father and mother, playing among themselves, pestering their elders, and sometimes endangering the entire family. From the time of the rut to the final exit of the fox cubs, about 6 months pass. By autumn, the fox cubs are fully grown and can live independently. Males go 20-40 kilometers, females - 10-15, rarely 30 kilometers, looking for a site and a mate. Some females begin to reproduce as early as next year; in any case, they reach sexual maturity at the age of two.

Economic importance

The fox is of great economic importance as a valuable fur-bearing animal, as well as a regulator of the number of rodents and insects. At the same time, the damage that foxes cause to commercial game and poultry is much less than the benefit they bring by destroying rodents - grain consumers.

Foxes are bred in captivity specifically for their fur. At the end of the 19th century, a breed of silver-black (silver-brown) foxes was artificially bred. Then, thanks to selection, the quality of fur of this breed was significantly improved (compared to the wild type), and a number of other fur breeds were developed on its basis: Platinum, Bakurian, Dakota and others.

In southern Europe, wild foxes are the most common carrier of the rabies virus, so they are vaccinated everywhere.

Domestication

In 1959, D.K. Belyaev, director of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, began a long-term experiment on the domestication of silver-black foxes. During the experiment, only individuals that were most friendly towards humans were selected for reproduction. The result of the experiment was the creation of a population of domesticated silver-black foxes, which differ from their wild ancestors in physiology, morphology and behavior. The result was a population of domesticated foxes, some representatives of which showed signs that were absent in the original population: a curved tail, a change in coat color (the appearance of white spotting), a change in the proportions of the skull, and in some puppies drooping ears are noticeable at an early age. There has been a change in the seasonality of reproduction. Changes are observed in various systems, including neuroendocrine. The quality of the fur has deteriorated. This project is a model of the microevolutionary process and is carried out for research purposes.

• In ancient times, fox skins were the equivalent of banknotes.
• Foxes are very smart and cunning animals, often confusing the hunting dogs that pursue them.
• The fox received the nickname “Patrikeevna” on behalf of the Novgorod prince Patrikey, who became famous in his time for his cunning and resourcefulness in conducting trade affairs.
• The image of a fox is widely used in folklore and literature of different countries. In most of them, the animal is a symbol of cunning. However, in ancient Mesopotamia the fox was a sacred animal, and in Japan it was considered a werewolf.
• The most famous works in which the fox is one of the main characters are the late 12th century poem “The Romance of the Fox”, Carlo Collodi’s fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio” and “The Little Prince”, written by the famous Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
• The fox's hearing is so perfect that it can hear the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of 100 m.
• While eating, the fox chews the meat into small pieces and swallows them without chewing.
• The image of a small fennec fox is the logo of the Firefox line of multimedia products.
• The maned wolf is very similar to a fox, but does not belong to the genus of foxes. In addition, he lacks the characteristic feature of a fox - a vertical pupil.

Video

Sources

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fox#Reproduction

All the children admired the red-haired beauty, the tricky little fox-sister more than once in their childhood, listening to their grandmother’s fairy tales. In all stories and fables, the fox is identified with intelligence, cunning and resourcefulness. The resourceful and seductive Fox Patrikeevna will either lure cheese from a crow, or steal a chicken from her grandmother, or catch a fish with her tail. What does a fox actually eat?

Habits of a fox in the wild

The fox is an excellent predator. She belongs to the canine family, but there is a lot in her from cats: grace, playfulness, and the ability to hide her claws in case of danger and even climb a tree. She has impeccable hearing. The fox hears the rustling of a mouse underground at a distance of a hundred meters! And he absolutely accurately identifies her hole. Fox hunters even have a special term “mousing”. It sounds affectionate, but it means a fox hunt for rodents. The fox will fall to the ground, listen, and then, like a stretched bowstring, it will break loose and certainly catch the mouse.

In the event of a chase, the fox runs in a straight line: the red-haired beauty flies above the ground, and the hind legs fall exactly into the tracks of the front ones. No hunter will confuse a chain of fox tracks with someone else's tracks. Having broken away from the chase, the fox will go looking for a secluded place. Despite the myth that foxes live in holes, the fox mostly sleeps under a bush. It will curl up in a ball, place its sharp muzzle on its paws, and cover itself with its tail, like a fluffy blanket.

In the hole, the fox breeds its offspring, takes care of it, and until next spring it will no longer need the hole. By the way, the fox does not dig holes often, but usually uses mole holes. Sometimes he even puts up with his proximity, as long as there are emergency passages and exits.

Cute fennec fox

The appearance of foxes also changes depending on their habitat. The closer to the north, the larger and brighter the fox, but in Africa and deserts the fox is smaller and smaller, and the fur is of dull shades. But there are several signs inherent in any fox.

1. The fur is thick and red, of different shades. There is a rare species of black and brown fox.
2. White belly.
3. Black paws and tips of ears.
4. The white tip of the tail: it is by this that newborn fox cubs are recognized, so similar to wolf cubs.

The most interesting species is the fox- fennec. Its ears reach 15 cm, the largest ears on the planet in relation to the body. They not only help her hear small rodents, but also save her from overheating. Foxes in the desert eat everything: plants, beetles, small vertebrates, and eggs. In times of famine they do not disdain carrion.

Red foxes and fennec foxes can be tamed. In captivity, a fox quickly becomes attached to its owner. She is as loyal as a dog and as affectionate as a cat. It is better to feed your pet what you eat yourself - soups, pieces of meat, fruits, vegetables. And at night the fox cub will have to be hidden in a booth or cage until it gets used to it: foxes are nocturnal animals, and the fox cub may not return home.

How do fox families live?

In the wild, fox cubs feed on their mother’s milk for a month and a half, and then the fox brings them trophies from the hunt, often wounded victims, so that the cubs can learn. Two months after birth, the babies crawl out of the hole, play, chase butterflies, eat bugs, and destroy accessible bird nests. Soon they will be completely stronger and by autumn they will be catching mice, hunting hares and wood grouse.

Foxes live in families: mother, father and children. The fox father is an exemplary family man, he will never abandon his family and will protect it to the last. It happens that a family loses its breadwinner, and then another fox will take care of the new litter. And he will defend the interests of the family, protect the female and fox cubs, and obtain food no worse than his own.

In times of famine, foxes living near human habitation look for food in garbage dumps and steal poultry and eggs. Cases have been recorded when it was possible to feed an adult fox and she, although with caution, took food from her hands.

Who do foxes hunt and what do they eat?

Farmers and residents of surrounding villages often complain about foxes. Foxes are first-class nest robbers; they will not fail to climb into a barn and steal a well-fed chicken and duck, simultaneously eating the eggs they find. Foxes often damage crops by eating milk wheat and oats. But this is nothing compared to the benefits they bring. Foxes, along with snakes, are excellent natural regulators of rodent numbers. Every year, voles cause significant damage to crops. In those years when there are a great number of rodents, foxes come to the rescue of people.

In addition to the benefits that the fox brings to agriculture, it has valuable fur. The fur of this fur-bearing animal is of rare beauty and is highly valued by manufacturers of clothing and accessories. Wild fox fur is much more expensive than captive-bred fur. And many poachers hunt for the fiery beauty in the hope of snatching a big jackpot.

Hunter, fisherman and gourmet all in one

The fox is, first of all, a hunter. Its main diet consists of mice. However, she will definitely feast on various bugs and berries. The whole family can hunt flocks of birds: one distracts, the other catches. She needs to eat 30-40 mice per day. And if there is a lot of prey, she makes a reserve. He digs a hole, compacts it with his nose, and then certainly finds his cache.

The fox's diet is varied:

• Mice and all types of rodents living near it;
• Beetles, larvae, bird eggs and their chicks;
• Birds: both wild and domestic;
• Hares: despite its agility, a fox will rarely be able to catch up with a nimble hare;
• Berries and plants: not as a main food, but as a treat.

In times of hunger, the fox does not disdain carrion: it eats the corpses of hares during the pestilence, as well as fish washed ashore during spawning, and dozens of plant species.

Thus, we have figured out what the fox eats; it turns out that the fox is an omnivore. Even in times of hunger, she will always find something to eat; in extreme cases, she will come to a person. Her hunting ear will be the envy of any animal, and her resourcefulness, combined with her quick reaction, provides her with food and shelter wherever she lives. Both the large fiery northern beauty and the small nimble fennec fox - both of them are masters of mouse catching and an example of family life.

Video about the nutrition and life of foxes

In this video, zoologist Gennady Kuravlev will tell and show how foxes live and what they eat in the wild:

From the Arctic zone to the northern Gulf Coast. The fox was acclimatized in Australia and spread throughout the continent, with the exception of some northern regions with a humid subequatorial climate.

Previously, it was believed that a separate species of fox lives in America, but recently it has been considered as a subspecies of the red fox.

Appearance

Vulpes vulpes- Scull

The color and size of foxes vary in different areas; in total there are 40-50 subspecies, not taking into account smaller forms. In general, as you move north, foxes become larger and lighter in color, and as you move south, they become smaller and duller in color. In the northern regions and in the mountains, black-brown and other melanistic forms of fox coloration are also more common. The most common color: bright red back, white belly, dark paws. Often foxes have brown stripes on the ridge and shoulder blade, similar to a cross. Common distinguishing features: dark ears and white tip of the tail. Externally, the fox is a medium-sized animal with a graceful body on low paws, an elongated muzzle, pointed ears and a long fluffy tail.

Molting begins in February-March and ends in mid-summer. Immediately after this, the fox begins to grow winter fur, in which it is completely dressed by the turn of November and December. Summer fur is much thinner and shorter, winter fur is thicker and more lush. Foxes are distinguished by their large locator ears, with the help of which they pick up sound vibrations. Ears for foxes are the “catcher” of prey.

The vocalization of the red fox is the same howl as that of a wolf, only lower in tone.

Ecology

Red fox

The significant diversity of color and size of the fox is associated with the breadth of its range and the great variety of living conditions in its individual parts. Suffice it to say that foxes inhabit, although with different densities, all landscape-geographical zones, from the tundra and subarctic forests to the steppe and deserts, including mountain ranges in all climatic zones. Moreover, the fox is found not only in the wild, but also in cultural landscapes, as well as on the outskirts of cities, including large ones (such as Kyiv and Warsaw; in London, foxes are quite common on the outskirts, and sometimes appear in the central part of the city) . Moreover, at times in urbanized areas the fox finds a particularly favorable environment for itself. They often inhabit city landfills, parks and basements of houses.

In all parts of its range, the fox prefers open areas, as well as areas where there are separate groves, copses, hills and ravines, especially if in winter the snow cover in them is not too deep and loose. Therefore, of all the climatic zones, most foxes live in the steppe and forest-steppe, and not in the forest.

The fox is a fairly sedentary animal. In most areas it is not characterized by regular migrations. Cases of such are observed only in the tundra, deserts and mountains. For example, one of the foxes tagged in the Malozemelskaya tundra (Arkhangelsk region, Russia) was later killed 600 kilometers to the southwest. Young animals that migrate from the parental den are usually located at a distance of 2-5 to 15-30 km from it.

The number of foxes fluctuates noticeably from year to year. Its condition is influenced by factors such as the number of rodents, meteorological conditions, and the presence of infectious diseases in the population. In hungry years, not only does the fertility of females decrease and fewer puppies survive, but conditions also arise that are favorable for the spread of epizootics, which sometimes cover large areas. Epizootics characteristic of foxes are rabies, predator plague, and scabies.

In the wild, foxes rarely live more than seven years, often life expectancy does not exceed three. In captivity, animals live up to 20-25 years.

Nutrition

Fox with prey

The fox, although it belongs to typical predators, feeds on a very diverse diet. Among the food it eats, more than 400 species of animals alone have been identified, not counting several dozen species of plants. Everywhere, the basis of its diet consists of small rodents, mainly voles. One can even say that the state of the population of this predator largely depends on the sufficiency of their number and availability. This especially applies to the winter period, when the fox lives primarily by hunting field mice: the animal, sensing a rodent under the snow cover, listens to its squeak, and then quickly dives into the snow or scatters it with its paws, trying to catch its prey. This method of hunting is called mouseing.

Economic importance

The fox is of great economic importance as a valuable fur-bearing animal, as well as a regulator of the number of rodents and insects. At the same time, the damage that foxes cause to commercial game and poultry is much less than the benefit they bring by destroying rodents - grain consumers.

Foxes are bred in captivity specifically for their fur. At the end of the 19th century, a breed of silver-black (silver-brown) foxes was artificially bred. Then, thanks to selection, the quality of fur of this breed was significantly improved (compared to the wild type), and a number of other fur breeds were developed on its basis: platinum, Bakurian, Dakota and others.

In southern Europe, wild foxes are the largest carrier of the rabies virus, so they are vaccinated everywhere.

Domestication

Subspecies

The species is very rich in variety of subspecies. There are more than 40 of them in total; in this diversity, the Red Fox species is second only to the wolf, the progenitor of the domestic dog, and shows an amazing adaptive ability to survive in the process of evolution and the life of this amazing omnivore:

• Vulpes vulpes abietorum
• Vulpes vulpes aeygptica
• Vulpes vulpes alascensis
• Vulpes vulpes alpherakyi
• Vulpes vulpes alticola
• Vulpes vulpes anatolica
• Vulpes vulpes arabica
• Vulpes vulpes atlantica
• Vulpes vulpes barbaras
• Vulpes vulpes beringiana
• Vulpes vulpes cascadensis
• Vulpes vulpes caucasica
• Vulpes vulpes crucigera
• Vulpes vulpes daurica
• Vulpes vulpes diluta
• Vulpes vulpes dolichocrania
• Vulpes vulpes dorsalis
• Vulpes vulpes flavescens
• Vulpes vulpes fulva
• Vulpes vulpes griffithi
• Vulpes vulpes harrimani
• Vulpes vulpes hoole
• Vulpes vulpes ichnusae
• Vulpes vulpes induta
• Vulpes vulpes jakutensis
• Vulpes vulpes japonica
• Vulpes vulpes karagan
• Vulpes vulpes kenaiensis
• Vulpes vulpes krimeamontana
• Vulpes vulpes kurdistanica
• Vulpes vulpes macroura
• Vulpes vulpes montana
• Vulpes vulpes necator
• Vulpes vulpes ochroxanta
• Vulpes vulpes palaestina
• Vulpes vulpes peculiosa
• Vulpes vulpes pusilla
• Vulpes vulpes regalis
• Vulpes vulpes rubricosa
• Vulpes vulpes schrencki
• Vulpes vulpes silacea
• Vulpes vulpessplendidissima
• Vulpes vulpes stepensis
• Vulpes vulpes tobolica
• Vulpes vulpes tschiliensis

Reflection in art

The red fox is a very common character in folklore around the world. In European countries, she, as a rule, embodies cunning and deceit, playing quite a variety of roles: from treacherous scoundrels (as in a number of Russian fairy tales) to smart advisers (As in the fairy tale of Boris Shergin, Poig and the Fox). One of the most famous fox characters is Renard the Fox, a character in the classic medieval poem Romance of the Fox.

In Mesopotamian mythology, the fox is a sacred animal. She serves the goddess Ki as a messenger. In Finland, the fox is a symbol of cunning, but not evil.

In Japanese mythology, there are kitsune werefoxes who can take on human form. They have enormous knowledge and master magic. Kitsune later became popular in literature, cinema and video games. Spirits similar to kitsune also appear in Chinese and Korean myths.

Literature

• 1100 - Medieval poem “The Romance of the Fox”
• 1793 - “Reinecke the Fox” by J. W. Goethe
• 1879 - “Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit. From the Tales of Uncle Remus" Joel Chandler Harris
• 1883 - “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi: Fox, one of the negative characters
• 1905 - “Red Fox” Charles Roberts: about the life of a fox from the deep forest regions of Eastern Canada
• 1909 - “Domino” by E. Seton-Thompson: about the adventures of a fox named Domino
• 1935 - “The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Pinocchio” by Alexei Tolstoy: fox Alice
• 1943 - “The Little Prince” A.-E. Exupery. The fox is the author of the classic speech about taming.
• 1965 - “Tutta Carlson is the first and only, Ludwig the Fourteenth and others” by Jan Ekholm: about the friendship of the fox Ludwig and the chicken Tutta Carlson
• 1965 - “Little Fox Vuk” by Istvan Fekete
• 1967 - The Fox and the Hound by Daniel Pratt Mannix
• 1970 - The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl: Mr. Fox, Mrs. Fox and Their Children
• 1989 - “The Moon Beast” by Harry Kilworth: about the life of the fox O-ha
• 2001 - “The Case of the Werefoxes” by Holm van Zaitchik: alternative history with elements of mysticism
• 2004 - “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf” by V. Pelevin: about the were-fox A Khuli

Animation

• 1937 - “Reinecke the Fox” directed by Vladislav Starevich: based on the poem of the same name by J. V. Goethe
• 1973 - Disney's Robin Hood: Robin Hood and Maid Marian
• 1978 - “Poiga and the Fox”: based on the fairy tale by B. Shchergin
• 1980 - “How foxes and chickens became friends
• 1981 - “Vuk”: based on the fairy tale by I. Fekete about an orphaned fox
• 1981 - Disney's "The Fox and the Hound": Tod the fox and his friend Vixie. Based on the book of the same name by Daniel Pratt Mannix
• 1984 - “Pillow for the Sun”: Alice the fox and her grandmother
• 1986 - “A Winter Story”: a Welsh cartoon about the little fox Mick and his parents
• 1986 - “Wonderful Forest”: one of the cartoon characters is the fox Lily. Based on the book by Suncana Skrinjaric
• 1987 - “Abduction in Tyuturlistan”: the fox Khitrunya is one of the main characters
• 1989-1993 - “Little Fox”: a series of Soviet cartoons about a little fox and his friends
• 1992-1995 - “The Animals of Farthing Wood”: Fox and Vixen and their cubs
• 1999 - “Foxbusters”: a fox tribe led by King Voracious
• 1995 - “The Incredible Adventures of Dwarves”: the fox is a friend of the main character, the gnome David
• 2003 - “Cunning Little Vixen”: based on Leoš Janáček’s opera “Příhody lišky bystroušky” (The Adventures of a Trickster Fox)
• 2005 - “Renard the Fox” directed by Thierry Schiel: based on the medieval “Romance of the Fox”
• 2006 - “Night of the Autumn Full Moon”: based on Japanese fairy tales. The Story of the Fox and the Badger
• 2009 - “Fantastic Mr. Fox”: Mr. Fox, Mrs. Fox, their son, and nephew

Movie

• 1975 - “The Adventures of Pinocchio”: film adaptation of the fairy tale by Alexei Tolstoy
• 1984 - “Red-haired honest lover”: based on the fairy tale by Jan Ekholm
• 2005 - “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” - Mr. Fox
• 2006 - “Fox Helen”

Music

• 1923 - “The Adventures of the Trickster Fox” (Czech: Příhody lišky bystroušky): opera by Leoš Janáček about the life of the fox Ostroushka

Fox is a generalized name for several species of mammals in the large canid family (Canidae). Twelve species of this group belong to the genus of foxes proper (true foxes), but some other species are also called foxes. Occupying different continents, all 23 species of foxes presented below have a characteristic appearance and a similar lifestyle, but at the same time, each species has its own characteristics.

The fox is a predator with a sharp muzzle, a narrow and somewhat flattened head, rather large ears and a long fluffy tail. From early childhood, we have all been familiar with the red-haired, thieving rogue - the heroine of many fairy tales and fables, who always manages to get around her relative - the wolf. Obviously, the cunning of the fox in the tales of many cultures reflects the plasticity of the species and its wide distribution. Indeed, foxes are very unpretentious to the environment, they know how to adapt well and have been able to settle quite comfortably on almost all continents, with the exception of Antarctica.

There are 3 separate branches of "fox-like" canids. The closest of them to the common ancestors are 2 species of gray foxes (Urucyon). The age of this genus is 4-6 million years. And although they are phenotypically similar to foxes of the genus Vulpes, they are not genetically related to them. The big-eared fox (Otocyon) is also an ancient species of canid, which is genetically and morphologically separated from all other foxes (age of the genus is 3 million years). These species make up the first branch.

The second branch is the species of the genus Vulpes (common foxes). This branch is divided into 2 parts - the common fox type and the fennec type. The fennec fox and the Afghan fox represent the result of an ancient divergence (4.5 million years). The branch comprising the species of the common fox group includes the American corsac and arctic fox, the American fox, as well as many of the Old World species. They diverged only recently (0.5 million years) and form a separate subgroup within the common fox phylum.

The third branch consists of all South American species. This branch stands closer to the genus Caris (Wolves) than to other foxes. The little fox and Maikong are the ancestral forms of this group (age 3 million years); most other Dusicyon species arose relatively recently (1.0-2.5 million years ago).

Species of foxes of the genus Vulpes

The fox genus Vulpes is the largest and most widespread among canids, numbering 12 species of foxes. Representatives of this genus can be found in the far north, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

The characteristic features of foxes of the genus Vulpes are a pointed muzzle, triangular erect ears, a long and fluffy tail, and a flat skull compared to the genus Canis. The color of the tip of the tail is usually different from the main color. There are black triangular markings on the muzzle between the eyes and nose.

Common fox Vulpes vulpes

Currently, there are about 48 subspecies, which are distributed from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of Asia and North Africa and Central America. They were also introduced to Australia. This is such a common species that it is most likely the most flexible of all carnivores.

Body length is on average 75 cm, tail – 40-69 cm, weight can reach 10 kg. The coat is rusty to fiery red above, and white to black below. The tip of the tail is often white. There are silver and other color varieties.

Bengal (Indian) fox Vulpes bengalensis

Inhabits India, Pakistan, Nepal. It lives in steppes, open forests, thorny bushes and semi-deserts up to 1350 m above sea level.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.8-3.2 kg. The color of the short, smooth coat is sandy-red, the paws are reddish-brown, and the tip of the tail is black.

Vulpes chama

Distributed in Africa south of Zimbabwe and Angola. You can meet it in the steppes and rocky deserts.

Body length – 45-60 cm, tail – 30-40 cm, weight – 3.5-4.5 kg.The color is reddish-brown agouti with a silver-gray back, the tip of the tail is black, there is no dark facial mask.

Korsak Vulpes corsac

It is found in the steppe zone of the southeastern part of Russia, in Central Asia, Mongolia, in Transbaikalia to the north of Manchuria and the north of Afghanistan.

Externally, the corsac is similar to an ordinary fox, but much smaller. Body length 50-60 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2.5-4 kg. The coat color is brownish-gray, the chin is white or slightly yellowish. A characteristic feature of the corsac are wide, noticeably prominent cheekbones.

Tibetan fox Vulpes ferrilata

Inhabits the steppe areas of the highlands (4500-4800 m above sea level) of Tibet and Nepal.

Body length – 60-67 cm, tail – 28-32 cm, weight – 4-5.5 kg. The body and ears are colored light gray agouti, the tip of the tail is white. The long and narrow head appears square due to the thick and dense collar. The fangs are elongated.

African fox Vulpes pallida

Inhabits North Africa from the Red Sea to the Atlantic, from Senegal to Sudan and Somalia. Lives in deserts.

Body length – 40-45 cm, tail – 27-30 cm, weight – 2.5-2.7 kg. The coat is short and thin. The body and ears are yellowish-brown, the paws are red, and the tip of the tail is black. There are no markings on the face.

sand fox Vulpes rueppelii

Found from Morocco to Afghanistan, northern Cameroon, northeastern Nigeria, Chad, Congo, Somalia, Egypt, Sudan. Inhabits deserts.

Body length – 40-52 cm, tail – 25-35 cm, weight – 1.7-2 kg. The coat is pale sandy in color, the tip of the tail is white, and there are black spots on the muzzle. It has large ears that help regulate body temperature, and the fur on its paw pads makes it easier to move across hot sand.

American corsac Vulpes velox

Found from Texas to South Dakota. From 1900 to 1970 this species was found in the northern Great Plains, in Canada, but, apparently, the American corsac was completely exterminated: in 1928 the fox disappeared from the province of Saskatchewan, and in 1938 from the province of Alberta. However, it has now been successfully reintroduced to the Canadian prairie.

Body length – 37-53 cm, tail – 22-35 cm, weight – 2-3 kg. The coat is pale gray in winter, red in summer; the tip of the tail is black, and there are black spots on the sides of the muzzle.

American fox Vulpes macrotis

Inhabits northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. Lives in prairies and arid steppes.

Body length – 38-50 cm, tail – 22-30 cm, weight – 1.8-3 kg. The coat is yellow-red in color, the limbs are reddish-brown. The tail has a black tip and is very fluffy.

Vulpes cana

Inhabits Afghanistan, northeast Iran, Balochistan; an isolated population is known in Israel. You can meet it in mountainous regions.

Body length – 42-48 cm, tail – 30-35 cm, weight – 1.5-3 kg. The color is most often uniform dark, in winter it is brownish-gray. Bare paw pads are adapted for life in areas with steep slopes.

fennec Vulpes zerda

It is sometimes placed in the genus Fennecus due to its large ears, rounded skull and small teeth. It lives in North Africa, across the entire Sahara east to Sinai and Arabia. Lives in sandy deserts.

Body length – 24-41 cm, tail – 18-31 cm, weight – 0.9-1.5 kg. - the smallest of all foxes. The coat color is cream, the tip of the tail is black. The paw pads are pubescent. A notable feature of the fennec cat is its huge ears, which make up 20% of the body surface, helping the animal cool down in the heat of the day (at high air temperatures, the vessels in the ears expand, increasing heat transfer). However, at temperatures below 20° C, the fennec begins to shiver from the cold.

Arctic fox(arctic fox) Vulpes (Alopex) lagopus

Modern scientific classification sometimes classifies the only genus of arctic foxes as a genus of foxes. The Arctic fox inhabits the subpolar zone; tundra and littoral areas of the sea coast.

Body length – 53-55 cm, tail – 30-32 cm, weight – 3.1-3.8 kg. There are two types of color: "white", which looks like taupe in summer, and "blue", which looks chocolate brown in summer. The fur is very dense, at least 70% is warm undercoat. have amazing resistance to cold.

Genus Urocyon (Grey foxes)

Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Found from the central United States to the prairies, from the south to Venezuela, from the north to Ontario.

Body length – 52-69 cm, tail – 27-45 cm, weight – 2.5-7 kg. The color is gray, with streaks, the throat is white, the paws are reddish-brown. A ridge of stiff black hairs runs along the dorsal surface of the tail.

island fox Urocyon littoralis

Distributed on the Channel Islands near California.

This is the smallest species of fox found in the United States. Body length - 48-50 cm, tail -12-29 cm, weight - 1.2-2.7 kg. Outwardly similar to the gray fox, but inferior to it in size. The island fox is mostly insectivorous.

Genus Otocyon (Big-eared foxes)

Big-eared fox Otocyon megalotis

Two populations are known: one occurs from the south of Zambia to South Africa, the other from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Prefers open spaces.

Body length – 46-58 cm, tail – 24-34 cm, weight – 3-4.5 kg. The color ranges from gray to dark yellow, there are black markings on the face, tips of the ears and paws, and a “strap” on the back. The ears are large (up to 12 cm). The big-eared fox differs from other species in its unusual dental structure: its teeth are weak, but together with additional molars their total number is 46-50. The diet of this species is also very unusual: 80% of the diet consists of insects, mainly dung beetles and termites.

Genus Dusicyon (South American foxes)

The habitat of foxes of the genus Dusicyon is limited to South America. The color is usually gray with reddish-brown splashes. The skull is long and narrow; The ears are large, the tail is fluffy.

Andean foxDusicyon (Pseudalopex) culpaeus

It lives in the Andes, from Ecuador and Peru to the island of Tierra del Fuego. Found in the mountains and pampas.

Depending on the subspecies, body length varies from 60 to 115 cm, tail length - 30-45 cm, weight - 4.5-11 kg. The back and shoulders are gray, the head, neck, ears and paws are reddish-brown; the tip of the tail is black.

South American fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) griseus

It lives in the Andes, the population is mainly concentrated in Argentina and Chile. Lives at lower altitudes than the Andean fox.

Body length – 42-68 cm, tail – 31-36 cm, weight – 4.4 kg. The color is mottled light gray; the lower parts of the body are lighter.

Paraguayan fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) gymnocercus

Inhabits the pampas of Paraguay, Chile, southeastern Brazil, from southern through eastern Argentina to Rio Negro.

Body length – 62-65 cm, tail – 34-36 cm, weight – 4.8-6.5 kg.

Sekuran fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) sechurae

It lives in the coastal deserts of northern Peru and southern Ecuador.

Body length – 53-59 cm, tail – about 25 cm, weight – 4.5-4.7 kg. The coat is light gray, the tip of the tail is black.

Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) vetulus

Inhabits southern and central Brazil.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is about 30 cm, weight is 2.7-4 kg. The muzzle is short, the teeth are small. The coat color of the upper body is gray, the belly is white. There is a dark line on the dorsal surface of the tail.

Darwin's fox Dusicyon (Pseudalopex) fulvipes

Found on the island of Chiloe and in Nahuelbuta National Park, Chile.

Body length is about 60 cm, tail is 26 cm, weight is about 2 kg. The coat of the upper body is dark gray, the neck and belly are the color of cream. The species is endangered.

While traveling by ship in 1831, Charles Darwin acquired a specimen of the gray fox, which later received his name. In his journal, he recorded that on the island of Chiloe a fox was caught, belonging to a genus which appears to be unique to the island and very rare on it, and has not yet been described as a species. Although Darwin suspected the uniqueness of this fox, which was recently confirmed, the status of this animal remained unclear for a long time. It is distinguished by a dark brown, almost rusty head color and relatively short legs.

Dusicyon (Cerdocyon) thous

Distributed from Colombia and Venezuela to northern Argentina and Paraguay. Inhabits savannas and forests.

Body length - 60-70 cm, tail - 28-30 cm, weight -5-8 kg.

The coat is gray-brown, the ears are dark; tail with dark dorsal strap and white tip; paw pads are large; the muzzle is short.

(small fox or short-eared zorro) Dusicyon (Atelocynus) Microtis

It lives in the tropical forests of the Orinoco and Amazon river basins. Found in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil.

Body length -72-100 cm, tail - 25-35 cm, weight up to 9 kg. The color is dark, the ears are short and rounded. The teeth are long and strong. Cat's gait.

Literature: Mammals: Complete illustrated encyclopedia /Translated from English/ Book. I. Carnivores, marine mammals, primates, tupayas, woolly wings. / Ed. D. MacDonald. – M: “Omega”, – 2007.

In contact with

Beauty - red fox

Today, the fox is not a very desirable hunting trophy, as it was some 50 years ago, when the fashion for fox hats and short fur coats significantly reduced the number of this small predator in the vast expanses of the then USSR. However, many modern hunters enjoy hunting foxes. Moreover, hunting for this agricultural pest is allowed all year round; no licenses are required. There is only one minus: a fox is only valuable fur and no meat. Although there is one more disadvantage, we will dwell on it further.

Today, the fox is not as desirable as it was some 50 years ago, when the fashion for fox hats and short fur coats significantly reduced the number of this small predator in the vast expanses of the then USSR. However, many modern hunters enjoy . Moreover, hunting for this agricultural pest is allowed all year round; no licenses are required. There is only one minus: a fox is only valuable fur and no meat. Although there is one more disadvantage, we will dwell on it further.

There is a lot of information about it, including on our website. But we want to supplement it with the stories of one old fox hunter with more than 40 years of hunting experience. But first, a little about the fox.

Biological characteristics of foxes

Our familiar (Vulpes vulpes) is a small carnivorous mammal belonging to the order Canidae. This is the most common species of the numerous fox genus.

In general, there are more than 50 subspecies and several smaller forms such as the long-eared fennec fox or exotic flying fruit bats. And we also need to remember the completely unique small big-eared African fox, which looks like a fennec fox, but differs from all other canids in having 48 teeth versus 42 in all other representatives of this order.

Everyone also knows that Arctic foxes live in the far north - white polar foxes. The subspecies of black foxes, which we know as silver foxes, is also quite numerous. They live mainly in Siberia.

In general, foxes are distributed throughout the world - from the Arctic zones of all continents of the Northern Hemisphere to most of Asia and all of northern Africa. The size and color of local subspecies depends on the conditions of the region of residence and the availability of food. The further north foxes live, the larger and lighter they are, and the thicker and longer the fur. The distribution of foxes is fairly uniform across all zones. At the same time, these cunning animals with a high degree of adaptability have settled well not only in the wild, but also in cultivated landscapes.

And recently, they are increasingly found on the outskirts of large cities, where the animal finds enough food and does not have any natural enemies.

The number of foxes fluctuates from year to year and depends on several factors - the presence of rodents, outbreaks of infectious diseases and weather conditions. In hungry and frosty years, not only does the fertility of females decrease, but also fewer of the puppies born survive. But most often, the number of animals is sharply reduced by such fairly common diseases as rabies, plague and scabies.

Fox rabies

This is a separate topic and it is precisely the second disadvantage that we mentioned at the beginning of the article.

These animals most often suffer from this terrible disease, since rodents that carry rabies are their main food. An infected fox is very dangerous for livestock, dogs and cats, and humans. A hunter who has shot a fox with suspected rabies should be extremely careful, not touch the carcass, and be sure to notify the veterinary service.

Signs of rabies are as follows: all wild animals become very excited, tireless, and lose fear of humans. But foxes often behave quite the opposite. They also stop being afraid of people, but they do not show aggression, but on the contrary, they become affectionate, run up to people, climb into the yard and even the house. Many people decide to adopt such a wonderful animal and become infected with rabies. An attempt to skin an infected animal also ends sadly. In later stages, foxes also become extremely aggressive, they have a wild thirst and fear of hydrophobia at the same time, salivation flows, and their behavior is inappropriate. A small sick predator can rush at wolves, moose, cows, bulls, infecting them. Just like an unsuspecting person who happens to pass by. Therefore, it is always allowed.

If you have the slightest suspicion of rabies, you should immediately go to the hospital - in the first days after infection, the person is cured. And then the disease enters an uncontrolled and incurable stage and ends in painful death.

Habitats and habits of foxes

For the most part, these animals lead a sedentary lifestyle and do not migrate, except within the Pale of Settlement. The foxes that travel most often are tundra, desert and mountain subspecies. Young animals rarely go into independent life further than 20-30 km from the parental den. And most often they stay within 5 km.

The animal always prefers open areas, as well as places with separate groves, ravines and hills, and copses. What is noteworthy is that in forested areas there are much fewer of these animals than in the forest-steppe and steppe zones.

Each family has its own plot on which. Most often on their own, but they can also occupy the burrows of marmots and other burrowing animals. They like to settle on the slopes of hills, ravines, in places where burrows will not be flooded either by river floods or by rain and groundwater. The hole always has several entrances, through which the animals make their way through rather long tunnels into the spacious nesting chamber. Animals stay there constantly only while raising puppies, and the rest of the time they prefer open dens.

An unafraid fox walks straight and openly, but a frightened one will rush or run away at a gallop, with its tail stretched out.

When the chain of tracks goes in a straight line, the predator has gone hunting and is looking for prey. If the trail is smooth, but a step is felt, the animal is well-fed and goes to rest. Of the senses, hearing and smell are the most developed. Foxes have very poor eyesight and cases are often mentioned when they, without fear, come very close to a motionless person sitting. They can go hunting at any time of the day, very carefully, they are amazingly able to hide almost out of the blue and throw off the chase.

Fox diet

As you know, foxes are classified as predators, although in fact they are. Its diet includes almost 400 species of animals, including amphibians and reptiles, fish and birds - whatever they catch, eggs, insects and worms. But also several dozen species of plants, including fruits, berries, aquatic plants, young stems of sedge, water chestnut and others.

You cannot make noise or move - no animal will come out.

You even need to choose carefully - it should not be rustling or creaking.

All communications with the breeder and neighbors are only at the beginning of the pen and only in whispers or gestures.

It’s still better to stand at the number than to sit. This allows you to quickly react if an animal appears unexpectedly.

By the way, in most cases the fox never comes out from where they are expected. You should always be prepared for the target to appear from a completely unexpected direction and not at the angle the shooter expected.

It is better to shoot a fox in a dense forest. A two or three is enough to accurately target an animal at a distance of up to 30 meters. But most often you have to shoot from a closer distance and large shot greatly damages the trophy, especially valuable fur.

Foxes and dogs

It has always been believed that foxes and dogs are complete antipodes. However, in recent years, the situation has changed a little. People are actively inhabiting the favorite habitats of these predators, dacha cooperatives are growing, landscapes are being converted to agricultural use, and foxes are forced to adapt to new conditions. They do this quite successfully and, as we have already mentioned, they have even established themselves in the suburbs, near garbage dumps. Stray dogs also live there. It turns out that these two species live in overlapping niches in the anthropogenic landscape. On the one hand, this causes competition between them, on the other hand, the puppies often grow up together and become very close. This leads to the fact that foxes no longer react to dogs as if they were dangerous. Although, dogs are quite aggressive towards these predators.

Regarding hunting foxes with dogs, this situation makes it much easier. do not lose their innate instincts, and will do their job properly. But foxes, accustomed to stray dogs, may initially behave more carelessly, which will play into the hands of the hunter. From the secrets of hunting with dogs - a raised fox always makes the first three circles small in diameter - about 20 meters around its hole, on the fourth it goes much further - 50-70 meters. Therefore, the hunter has the opportunity to calculate where it will appear and be ready to shoot.

A dog is the best assistant on a fox hunt

As we said, except for the period of raising young animals, foxes prefer open dens in order to control the situation around them. In winter, you can follow the tracks and find your favorite places to lie down, and if you try, you can also find them. This should be done this way - having discovered the tracks, find out in which direction the predator went - and immediately determine the direction of the wind.

It is necessary to approach the site of a possible den only from the leeward side and with extreme caution.

If the animal smells something, it will immediately leave. If you see a fox lying down, carefully observe its reaction. As soon as he raises his head, listening, he must immediately stop and not move until the animal calms down and lies down again. Then you have a few more minutes to get closer. The optimal distance for a shot is 25-30 meters; at this distance you can clearly see the ears and color of the animal. At the same time, the fox must first be lifted - this way there will be less damage to the fur. And it’s unsporting to shoot at a sleeping animal.

If you see a mouse-like fox, it's lucky. As a rule, she is so passionate about this activity that she loses her vigilance. Taking advantage of the moment, you should try to get as close as possible, freezing at those moments when the predator looks back.

Video "Fox Hunting"

Video about fox hunting with decoy