Nature’s Trickster

text and photos : Norma A. Hubbard  (February 2014)

Last winter when had our ‘pet’ wild turkey, Butterball, we also received another visitor looking for a meal, a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). We were quite lucky to have seen it, as not only are these animals usually timid, but generally they are nocturnal by nature. This fox circled our house a few times with Butterball on the roof making a huge racket. As an avid reader of fables, it was easy for me to imagine the fox saying, “Come down, Turkey, I only want to play” as it gazed up at Butterball. And while fables portray the fox as a sly and cunning animal, it is also known as a trickster in native mythology; and if a fox spirit appears to you in a dream, it is a sign to act quickly!

In reality, the red fox is an extremely good hunter due to its excellent senses of smell, hearing and sight, thus giving it the reputation as sly and cunning. I guess the sound and smell of a wild turkey was very tempting for our fox, although a turkey would have been rather large meal for the fox. Generally foxes eat small animals, such as rabbit, squirrels, birds, mice, and moles. They are also known to raid chicken coops for the eggs, as well as the chickens.

Foxes are omnivore, which basically means they will eat whatever is necessary – including fruit, berries, bugs or even frogs – to survive. They do not hibernate; they hunt continually, even when not hungry and store food for leaner times. Larger animals, like coyote and wolves, prey on the red fox.

The average length of a fox is between 90-115 cm with its tail being about a third of its length! This long, fluffy tail not only provides balance, but extra warmth in cold weather when the fox uses it as a ‘blanket’ over its body when it curls up to rest. They weigh between 3-7 kg and are lighter than dogs of the same size, making them quicker and more agile than dogs. Their life span is 2-6 years, but life in the wild is difficult and most foxes only live two to three years.

The female fox (vixen) will have one litter of 2-10 pups in the spring. Pups are born blind and remain so for a week or two. At birth their fur is brown or gray, which usually turns red at one month old, but some red foxes remain brownish or gray, or even black. The male fox (dog) brings the female fox food for about a month or until the pups are weaned. Both parents care for the litter as the pups grow and young foxes will leave in the fall in search of their own territory. Foxes only live in dens while raising pups and a den will have two exits. Their normal habitat is wooded areas.

The red fox is a widespread mammal that can be found in Canada and in USA. They have been hunted for their fur and are often killed as pests or in fear of spreading rabies in farming areas; even so, the red fox is not on the endangered species list. Foxes, like many animals whose territories we have encroached upon, have adapted to urban life, but tend to stay away from people. As with most wild animals, a fox will not attack unless cornered or provoked. So while the fox that came to visit us was curious, it kept its distance when I took its picture and shortly there after took its leave, but without a turkey meal.

Sources: Canadian Geographic; Canadian Wildlife Federation