People often associate the fox with cunning and deceit, with a red tail and a wary gaze. However, not all so simple. Our selection includes seven such different and such charming species of foxes, which differ from each other not only in color, but also in their character.
fennec
Fennec fox can't boast large sizes- this animal is smaller domestic cat. But the fennec's ears are the envy of all predators - almost half the length of the animal's body! Such ears help the fox to hear the rustling sounds of its prey - small insects and lizards that live in the sands of northern Africa. In addition, huge ears help to better cool the body during hot weather.
Red fox
Red fox is the most numerous common species among foxes. This animal can be seen throughout Europe, North America, India and China, as well as in Australia, where foxes were specially brought as natural enemies endlessly multiplied rodents. Red foxes typically live in burrows. They can dig them themselves or can occupy the empty hole of other animals: marmots, badgers or arctic foxes. However, there are cases when a fox takes up residence in someone else’s burrow, even though its owner has not yet “moved” to another place.
Marbled fox
Actually arctic marbled fox is a subspecies of the common red fox, artificially bred for its exotic fur.
Gray fox
Gray fox lives in Northern and Central America. They are known for being monogamous animals and living with their partner for the rest of their lives. In addition, this is the only fox that can climb trees.
Black and brown fox
Black and brown fox, or silver fox, differs from the red one only in that there are absolutely no red hairs in its color. Sometimes completely black, sometimes gray with a bluish tint, sometimes ashen - foxes of such exotic color are very popular in animal husbandry, where they are used for fur.
polar fox
polar fox, also known as the arctic fox, is famous for its fluffy snow-white fur, which helps the animal withstand cold temperatures down to -70 C. However, in the summer this fox is unrecognizable - the arctic fox is the only one among foxes who changes its color, and in the warm season it becomes dirty brown colors.
Vixens (foxes). Foxes are generally smaller and more graceful than wolves and dogs, and large prey is too much for them. Their legs are short, and they run poorly, hunting more often from ambush, competing with the prey not in speed, but in dexterity. Plant food is also important for foxes.
The most famous representative of the fox genus is the red (common) fox, which lives throughout Eurasia, in North America and in northern Africa. Foxes live almost everywhere: in forests, tundra, southern steppes, mountains and deserts. The favorite prey of American foxes is rabbits; they are small and not very fast. IN European forests The place of rabbits is taken by hares, but the cheat rarely manages to catch a hare - he runs too fast with his scythe, and is too large. Most often, the fox gets mice and voles for lunch. In summer, foxes eat a lot of fruit, catch frogs and insects, and dig up worms. All food for this omnivorous beast! Foxes live alone or in pairs. A family of foxes settles in a hole in anticipation of their offspring. The fox can dig a hole itself, but more often it occupies other people’s holes, having eaten the former owner before the housewarming party. Both the female and the male take care of the fox cubs.
The short-legged fox is an unimportant runner, and the famous fox cunning helps her out on the hunt. Having sensed prey from afar, the fox can sneak up unnoticed and deftly grab an unsuspecting victim. For hours she sits in ambush at a rabbit hole, determining by the smell that the owner of the house is, and will grab him as soon as he sticks out. Running in a race with a fast hare, the fox will deceive him with a cunning maneuver, jump out across him and grab him. And how he steals chickens! Right from under the noses of the yard dogs.
Desert Foxes
The red fox is the largest of the fox genus. Her most close relative- corsac - may even end up for her lunch. Corsacs are found in the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia. They spend the day in burrows, escaping the heat in summer and frost in winter, and at night they go out to catch gophers, jerboas, gerbils and other small rodents, as well as lizards, snakes and birds.
Next to the corsac fox lives a small Afghan fox with a very long fluffy tail and dark fur. American foxes that live in the steppes and deserts of North America are also small. Their main enemies are coyotes. Having learned to escape from them, American foxes have become the fastest of foxes: they run away from predators at speeds of up to 60 km/h.
Like other foxes living in the steppes, deserts and savannas, the corsac fox, Afghan and American foxes are distinguished by large ears. Such radiator ears protect desert inhabitants from overheating: the blood, passing through the ears, cools in the air and, returning to the body, cools it. The small fennec fox has the largest ears. African desert Sahara. These “locators” not only cool down, but also catch the slightest rustle, helping the fox on the hunt. Fenechs hunt alone, although, unlike most foxes, they live family groups from a pair of fennec cats and their offspring of different ages. Sometimes several families of fennec foxes live in the same hole, jointly care for their offspring, protect their area, and fight back against large predators.
The short-haired sand fox is found near the fennec fox. Where the Sahara turns into a grassy savannah, the African fox lives, and even further south, in the savannah, a small big-eared fox. Despite its external resemblance to the fennec fox, the bat-eared fox is so unique that it has been separated into a separate genus. What makes it unique is its teeth - the big-eared fox has 48 of them, more than any other animal.
Arctic foxes
Arctic foxes are polar foxes, which life in the Far North has transformed so much that they have been separated into a separate genus. The Arctic fox has short legs to prevent them from freezing, small ears hidden in thick winter fur, and a short muzzle. A luxurious winter white coat with a thick undercoat both warms the arctic fox and hides it among the white snow. By summer, the fluffy fur will come out, replaced by light dark fur, camouflaging the animal among the stones and grasses. From a white fluffy ball, the arctic fox turns into a brown, lean animal. The Arctic fox is the only one of all canines that changes the color of its coat depending on the season. He needs camouflage both for ambush hunting and for escape from large predators- arctic foxes are attacked polar wolves, polar bears, wolverines and even fellow foxes.
Arctic foxes are the northernmost of all canines; on the ocean ice they even reach the Arctic islands beyond the Arctic Circle. Arctic foxes are drawn to the pole by following the polar bear - they eat the remains of the bear's meals - half-eaten seal carcasses. In winter, Arctic foxes travel long distances across the tundra and ice in search of food. The main prey of the Arctic fox is small tundra rodents, lemmings. On the coasts they feed on washed-up or caught fish, algae, and seaweed. By spring, Arctic foxes return to the places of the tundra where they were born, creating married couples and have offspring. In summer, arctic foxes have more food - birds nesting on the ground, their eggs, grass and berries.
Arctic foxes breed their offspring in burrows. There are few sandy hills suitable for making burrows in the tundra, and there several arctic fox families form colonies, occupying the same burrows for centuries. Expanding old shelters, arctic foxes turn the inside of their native hill into an underground labyrinth. Each family has its own “apartment”, where, depending on the “harvest” of lemmings, from 2-5 to 15 cubs appear. Parents are helped to care for their offspring by their eldest daughters, one-year-old females remaining in the family.
Gray fox
In the south of North America, where there are no common foxes, animals of a special kind of dog family have settled - gray foxes, so named for the color of their fur. These small foxes are the only canids that can climb trees. They rest on branches, hide from large predators, hunt squirrels and birds, and destroy nests. But gray foxes live on the ground, in burrows, where they breed.
South American fox
South American foxes are a separate genus of the canine family, uniting medium-sized foxes that are more similar to coyotes than to their namesakes. These foxes inhabited different habitats and, adapting to different conditions, formed several species. Thus, a large Andean fox settled in the mountains, in the Andes, at an altitude above 4500 m. A stocky body and strong legs help it survive in high mountain conditions.
The South American fox is more graceful, it lives in the south South America, having chosen the thickets of bushes in hot Argentina, the tall grass steppes of Patagonia, and the cool forests of Tierra del Fuego. In the pampas and hot savannas lives an elegant, high-legged Brazilian fox, rainforests The Amazon is home to the rare red fox.
Who in childhood did not listen to fairy tales from the lips of their mother, in which the main actor was there a fox? Such people simply probably do not exist.
In all fairy tales, the fox is described as a cunning red-haired beauty who can incredibly deceive and eat her prey. And these fairy tales are actually not far from the truth. Wild animals fox, Namely, we will talk about them now; they have a simply gorgeous red fur coat, which becomes thick and lush in winter.
The coat color changes depending on the animal’s habitat, from bright red to paler. The tail is always darker, and its tip is white. This is the fur coat color of wild animals.
The photo shows a wild fox
Those that are grown specifically on farms are most often platinum or silver-black (black-brown) in color. Such animals are highly valued in the fur industry. The fox is small in size.
In the photo there is a silver fox
She is slim and agile. Its body length is approximately 90 cm, it weighs from 6 to 10 kg. She is flexible and dignified. Thanks to its relatively short legs, it is easy for the animal to creep up on its prey and attack it unnoticed.
But, despite the fact that the legs are short, they are very strong and muscular, which helps to jump suddenly and far in length. The fox's muzzle is elongated, with an elegant, thin nose. The ears are rather large and always alert.
About the animal fox it cannot be said that she is strong, like a wolf, or has sharp fangs, like a wolf, or strong claws, like a wild cats, but in its vitality it is not inferior to these predatory animals in any way.
Features and habitat of the fox
Forest animals fox They live on almost the entire planet, except for the Arctic tundra and islands. There are about 11 species and 15 subspecies of this animal.
This wild predator loves the tundra, taiga, mountains, deserts, steppe. He can adapt anywhere and make a home for himself. The closer she lives to the North, the larger her size, and the brighter and more saturated the color of her coat.
And vice versa, in the southern regions the fox is smaller and its color is paler. They never get attached to anything specific place residence.
Thanks to their amazing ability to adapt, they can live a thousand kilometers from their real homeland.
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 this level high level that she 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 it 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 to life. On the other side " Red beast» destroys rodents in the fields and near barns, which helps save and double the harvest.
The photo shows a fox hunting a mouse.
For foxes, meeting with a cougar and a person is 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 people on horseback 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. 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 animal world foxes- these are animals with huge internal qualities and potential.
Fox food
Animal world fox It is designed in such a way that these predators are able to amazingly adapt and find a convenient moment for this in getting their own food. Their main food is rodents and various small animals. In times of hunger they will not refuse carrion, insects and berries.
The interesting thing is that before catching its prey, the fox fully studies its habits. For example, in order to feast on a hedgehog, which she cannot reach because of the thorns, she can sharply push it into a pond.
In the water he turns around and the fox grabs him by the belly with lightning speed. Wild foxes have to be caught in pairs. One distracts, the other sneaks up and suddenly attacks.
Rodents cannot hide from foxes even under the snow. Incredible hearing detects any rustling noise. Fox type of animal, which under no circumstances weather conditions will not be left without food.
The photo shows a white fox
The fox is a cunning animal. And it is precisely this feature that is its main and distinguishing feature. She helps the animal survive in any critical situation and find a way out of it.
White fox animal- is not mythical creature. In fact, these animals exist. They are very similar to their relatives with red fur. You can meet them in the tundra, in the Scandinavian Kola Peninsula, in Polar Eurasia and North America, in the south of the Baikal region, in Japan.
Reproduction and lifespan of a fox
Spring time is the period of birth of small foxes. Before giving birth, mother foxes dig a large hole, or they can outwit someone and occupy his territory.
Gestation time is approximately 44-58 days. Usually 4 to 6 babies are born. 45 days caring mother feeds her children milk, then gradually introduces them to solid food. After they are two years old, they become fully grown and independent, capable of reproducing and getting their own food.
In the wild, foxes live for about seven years; at home, their life expectancy can reach 20-25 years. Foxes as pets– this is all quite real and possible. Just first you need to better know how to properly care for them and take some precautions.
The very first thing is that not every country allows you to keep a fox at home, so you need to find out from competent people how things are in your country. The second and also important factor is the presence of a familiar veterinarian who will be able to examine the animal at any time, provide it with veterinary care, and give it the necessary vaccinations.
The pet must have its own space. The fox must be provided with a den in which it can hide at any time, sand for the potty, which it can very quickly be taught to walk on.
How more people spends time with the fox, the closer the connection between them becomes. Domestic foxes are not much different from and. You can also play with them and take them for walks on a leash. Foxes buy an animal You can go to a pet store or find an advertisement for the sale of exotic animals.
- Northern part of Africa, including Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria.
- The entire territory of Europe.
- Asia to the very north of India.
- North America to the Gulf of Mexico.
- 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 on open area. These canine representatives choose those natural areas where snow cover 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, spouse). 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 furry a long tail, which not only decorates the animal, but also serves as a useful device for survival. It allows you to develop higher 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. Tail length adult ranges from 20 to 60 cm. And weight – 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 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 short description 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 common fox serves as a 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 the fox varies from 37 cm to 50 cm, the tail reaches a length of 32 cm, weight adult fox fluctuates between 1.9 kg (in females) - 2.2 kg (in males). The back of the animal is colored yellowish-gray or whitish, and the sides are yellowish-brown. Distinctive features this type of foxes are 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 is quite different from other fox species big 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 has no hairline, protecting 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 more long 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 foxes ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 kg, and maximum length body reaches 60 cm. The length of a fox's tail with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. The fur that forms the hairline is 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 common fox However, unlike her, representatives of this type 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. Characteristic feature of this species is the light coloration of the chin and lower lip, as well as a dark brown or black color at 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, in 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 countries South Africa, especially large populations are 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, 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 he especially loves red-haired cheat enjoy the bird. 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 harmful rodents agriculture. And the growing fox cubs large quantities exterminate cockchafers, a well-known pest 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 with each other, 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 vixen has a big 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. IN late XIX centuries, 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 the south of Europe wild foxes- 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. There are changes 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 intelligent 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.
- Most famous works, in which the fox is one of the main characters, these 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.
- A fox's hearing is so perfect that it can hear a squeak. 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 https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox
The fox is one of the most beautiful predatory animals. She has a graceful elongated body, slender legs, and a long fluffy tail. The head has a pointed muzzle and large erect ears.
Common fox photo.
The fox is the size of a small dog. The body length of an adult is from 60 to 90 cm, the tail length is from 40 to 60 cm. The weight of a fox usually does not exceed 10 kg. Foxes living in northern latitudes, often larger than their southern counterparts.
The fox's fur is long and fluffy, mostly colored red. Belly more often white, less often – black. The further north a fox lives, the brighter its color. Sometimes in nature there are foxes with unusual colors - black-brown, white. During the year, foxes molt twice, changing their fur either to winter fur - thick and long, or to summer fur - sparse and short.
Spreading
The habitat of the common fox is very wide. It is found in Europe and Asia, North America and North Africa. Foxes live in different landscapes - in forests and steppes, in deserts and tundra, in mountains and on flat terrain. But they still prefer open spaces with copses and ravines.
Fox in the forest photo.
Lifestyle
Foxes live in pairs or families. They usually lead a sedentary lifestyle, occupy an area where they hunt and make a home for themselves to spend the night and breed. In deserts and tundras, where they have to travel long distances in search of food, foxes migrate from one place to another.
Foxes dig deep holes in the ground with narrow passages and a wide nesting chamber. They usually make their burrows on the slopes of ravines or hills, protected by dense grass and bushes. Often not one, but two or even more passages lead to the nesting chamber. This allows foxes to escape from their pursuers in case of danger.
Photo of a fox with cubs near a hole.
The fox is a very careful and intelligent animal; it easily evades pursuit, skillfully confusing its tracks and resorting to all sorts of tricks. The fox has a good sense of smell and hearing, thanks to which it easily detects its prey. The fox is capable of making sounds reminiscent of the yapping bark of a dog.
Nutritional Features
Foxes are predators, so their main diet consists of animal food. Foxes hunt both small animals (voles, mice, hamsters) and larger ones (hares and baby roe deer). On occasion, the fox will not refuse to catch a bird or a chick; it may willingly feast on eggs from a nest found in the grass. If there is a lack of food, the fox can feed on carrion.
Most often, the prey of foxes are voles - small mouse-like rodents. They usually make up the main menu of foxes, especially in winter, when food is scarce and very difficult to obtain. In winter, the fox has developed its own method of hunting small rodents, which is called mouseing. This method consists in the fact that the fox listens to rustles and sounds under the snow, and upon hearing the squeak of a vole, quickly jumps headfirst into the snow, tears it with its paws and tries to catch the rodent.
Fox on the hunt photo.
Sometimes foxes steal poultry such as geese or chickens from yards, but this does not happen too often.
In the warm season, foxes supplement their diet with plant foods - berries, herbs, fruits.
Reproduction of foxes
Foxes usually breed once a year. To that important event animals prepare in advance - even in winter. Foxes find suitable places to burrow and protect them from others.
One female can be courted by several males at once. They often fight among themselves, seeking the favor of the female.
The male whom the female chooses becomes a good family man. He takes care of the female, helps her improve the hole, and when the cubs appear, he participates in their upbringing.
Pregnancy in a fox lasts from 49 to 58 days. After this, from 4 to 13 fox cubs are born. Cubs are born blind and deaf, but at the age of two weeks they begin to see and hear, and by this time they are teething.
Fox cubs photo.
The fox feeds the cubs with milk for a month and a half. Gradually, the fox cubs are accustomed to regular adult food. To do this, foxes have to hunt a lot to bring their prey home.
If something happens to the father fox and he dies, then some other fox who has no offspring takes over his care. He takes care of both the female and the cubs.
When the fox cubs grow up, their parents take them hunting and teach them how to get food. By autumn, the fox cubs become independent and leave the parental hole.
Brief information about the fox.
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