The red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

                               The red fox

Red foxes are categorised in the family Canidae just like dogs, wolves, jackals and coyotes... they are the UK's only wild member of the dog family. There are many species of fox, but the most abundant is the Vulpes vulpes (the red fox). Unlike many other canines, they are not 'pack' animals. They do often stay in close proximity to family members but hunt alone. Red foxes are the largest of the true foxes in size and are the most international of all the wild canines; they can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. 

My regular visitor, called Gel. ❤️

These canines are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything, but feed mostly on small rodents. Their diet is made up of around 95% meat and the rest will usually consist of things such as insects or berries. Sadly, due to habitat degradation, the red fox has become very urbanised in many areas, and will often be forced to use the art of scavenging (AKA rummaging through our leftovers). These guys have developed extremely strong stomachs and immune systems so they are rarely affected by rotting thrown-out food. I like to leave the occasional egg outside for them.

Contrary to their name (red), they can come in various colourations ranging from white, yellow, orange, grey, and black. The characteristic that sticks with all is the white tip of the tail, white chin, and white underside.

Foxes will dig out their dens, which are called 'earths', and can have multiple around one area. The extra earths/dens can be used for quick hideaways, or for raising their young (kits) if their main earth becomes disturbed. The mating season will arrive every January-February and will not go unnoticed due to their well-known 'screams' to attract their mates. 

The females will make these sounds to attract a mate:

https://youtu.be/FTx8RxK3hqQ  -  sound clip by 'STEM Learning By Doing'.

Vixens will birth around 5 kits during spring, and they will be milk-fed for around 12 weeks; to which they then will be weaned and introduced to the big wide world. Wild red foxes live around 9 years, but due to traffic accidents and such, the average lifespan for these beautiful animals is 1-3 years. The population therefore will remain fairly dormant as kits end up replacing lost adults.

Fox hunting, or causing unnecessary harm, is thankfully banned in the UK. Massive appreciation for groups such as the 'Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs' for making it their mission to prevent such barbaric events from taking place illegally.

References:

STEM Learning By Doing. (2018). Vixen Screech - What Fox Screams (Mating Calls) Sound Like, [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTx8RxK3hqQ [Accessed: 16 April 2023].