Foxes
The Fox is a member of the dog family & is found in country & urban areas throughout
Europe, Asia, North Africa & North America. In towns the population density of foxes can
be high particularly around areas that provide cover such as cemeteries, railway line &
waste ground.
They will hide up during the day & forage for food at night. Foxes live in
Earths. These may be dug especially or they may enlarge rabbit burrows or badger setts.
Foxes mate in January & February. At this time of year they cause a nuisance with their
barking & screaming. Litters are born in March with an average size of 5. Cubs are
weaned at 5 weeks but may stay with the mother for 3 - 4 months.
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In captivity foxes can live up to 14 years but in the wild the average life span is 2 years.
Food depends where the foxes live, in urban areas they will eat a mixture of wild food
(berries, small mammals, insects, worms & fruit) mixed with bird food, refuse & carrion.
Complaints about foxes include: noise, smell, digging, bones & other refuse, killing pets/
livestock & killing cats. Killing cats is very rare & often exaggerated.
Foxes carry roundworm (Toxocara canis) which can cause blindness in children. Cats also
carry these worms.
Control is by shooting or live cage trapping. |
