Fox prey animals1/21/2024 ![]() ![]() The size of the territory is directly related to the availability of resources such as food and mating partners. They inhabit forests of all kinds, structurally rich agricultural areas with hedge strips, but also urban areas with parks and garden plots. They can be found in areas north of the Arctic Circle as well as in almost tropical regions of the earth.įoxes do not make great demands on their habitat. Red foxes have the largest geographical range of all wild carnivores. While young males migrate in the fall to look for their own territory, the females often remain in the family and help raise their siblings in the following year. At about 5 months of age, the young foxes are finally independent. Later, the mother feeds the pups chewed and pre-digested regurgitated meat.Īfter a few weeks, more and more often mother and offspring leave the den together and go on forays through the territory. As she rarely leaves the den during the first period after birth, the father supports his mate by bringing in prey and guarding the den. During the first 6 weeks of life, the pups are supplied with milk by the mother in the burrow, the so-called "kettle". At the age of 2 weeks, the young ones open their eyes. They are blind and deaf at first and weigh about 100 g. The female gives birth to 3-5 pups after a gestation period of about 50 days. Young foxes are born between March and May. Interestingly, fox populations that are not hunted produce fewer offspring. A high mortality rate results in more females participating in reproduction and more cubs born per litter than under stable external conditions. However, human intervention through hunting destroys this social structure. Where they can live undisturbed, they form stable family groups in which parent animals often form a lifelong bond with a single partner. In our ecosystem they play an important role as 'health police of the forest'.įoxes show a pronounced social behavior. ![]() ![]() Even carrion is not spurned by foxes if necessary. Usually, they have no chance against healthy, adult animals. As a rule, foxes only prey on young animals or weakened, sick individuals. The widespread opinion that foxes are natural enemies of hares and roe deer is not entirely correct. However, earthworms are also readily eaten on grassland areas and offer food rich in fat and protein. In general, the fox feeds mainly on mice (up to 90 %). The food composition therefore varies locally and seasonally. They make do with what is easy to capture and offers a high energy content. Red foxes are omnivores that can adapt their diet to the food supply at short notice. Sometimes these are even inhabited by fox and badger at the same time. It is not uncommon for foxes to take over badgers' burrows, which have several entrances and exits. During the day, they retreat to hiding places such as rock crevices and overhangs or burrows they have dug themselves. Outside the breeding season in January/February, foxes live solitary lives. The fox is predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal. ![]()
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