Fox
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Description
There are 37 species of canids that are commonly referred to as foxes but only 12 are known as "true foxes." They are smaller than most of their dog cousins, growing to a maximum, weight of 13 lbs. for males and 11 lbs for females. Males are referred to as "reynards" and females, "vixens." Litter sizes vary among different species.
Perhaps the most well known is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with it's upright triangular ears, flattened skull, thin, slightly upturned snout and long bushy tail. Foxes have made numerous appearances in human culture because they are found all over the Earth and are famous for their cunning which led to numerous references in folklore such as the phrase, "Clever like a fox".
The appearance of different fox species has evolved to adapt to different climates and habitats. The Fennec Fox and Kit Fox, for example, have adapted to life in the desert and have long ears and very short fur whereas the Arctic Fox has tiny ears and a thick coat of white fur for camouflage and insulation against frigid temperatures. The Red Fox has an orange red coat with a tail that is tipped with white fur. Dull gray fur on its chest and stomach extends down the inner sides of the legs which are capped with black fur.
Perhaps the most well known is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with it's upright triangular ears, flattened skull, thin, slightly upturned snout and long bushy tail. Foxes have made numerous appearances in human culture because they are found all over the Earth and are famous for their cunning which led to numerous references in folklore such as the phrase, "Clever like a fox".
The appearance of different fox species has evolved to adapt to different climates and habitats. The Fennec Fox and Kit Fox, for example, have adapted to life in the desert and have long ears and very short fur whereas the Arctic Fox has tiny ears and a thick coat of white fur for camouflage and insulation against frigid temperatures. The Red Fox has an orange red coat with a tail that is tipped with white fur. Dull gray fur on its chest and stomach extends down the inner sides of the legs which are capped with black fur.
Affordable Wildlife Eviction is an active member of the Georgia and Alabama Nuisance WIldlife Division of the Dept. of Natural Resources
Diet
All fox species are opportunists when it comes to feeding with rodents being the preferred food source. They are also omnivores and will eat small mammals, fruit, birds, eggs beetles, scorpions, reptiles (lizards and snakes), berries and grasses and frogs. They hunt prey by using a pouncing motion learned from an early age that allows them to kill their prey quickly. Foxes can eat approximately a kilogram of food a day (2 lbs.) and bury any extra food under leaves, soil or snow to eat later.
Rodents make up the majority of a fox's diet. Mice, rats, voles and chipmunks are always on the menu and a fox can clear out rodent infetations from around peoples' homes making them a benefit to have around. However, they will sometimes eat house pets and that is when fox become a nuisance pest.
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Mice are one of a fox's favorite foods
Fox Management
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Foxes have adapted reasonably well to living in relatively close proximity to humans. They can be found in cities and suburban neighborhoods and are spotted infrequently due to their wary nature. Fox attacks on humans are rare but there have been reports of rabid foxes biting people in England and the United States in the last decade.
The domestication of foxes has been attempted in the former Soviet Union and Russia using the silver variety of the Red Fox. Researchers used selective breeding to try and eliminate unwanted characteristics with some degree of success. Over 50 years, the successive generations of foxes lost their instinctual fear of humans and became more tame, would whimper for human attention and began barking and wagging their tails. Their coats also changed from straightened fur to curly and mottled much like domestic dogs today.
The domestication of foxes has been attempted in the former Soviet Union and Russia using the silver variety of the Red Fox. Researchers used selective breeding to try and eliminate unwanted characteristics with some degree of success. Over 50 years, the successive generations of foxes lost their instinctual fear of humans and became more tame, would whimper for human attention and began barking and wagging their tails. Their coats also changed from straightened fur to curly and mottled much like domestic dogs today.
Fox Trapping and Relocation
At Jarrod's Affordable Wildlife Eviction, we take great pride in trapping foxes alive and releasing them back to the wild unharmed. We use a suitably sized cage trap for capture and release is no more than 24 hrs. after trapping. Each fox is checked over for injuries and disease before release into an uninhabited woodland far out into the country. Check out the video below from an actual job where we baited a trap, caught the nuisance fox and released it unharmed in the country. For more info go to jarrods.net/fox
How to Trap a Fox
Jarrod's Pest Control and Exterminator Services In Georgia and Alabama
- Columbus, Ga
- Ft. Benning Ga.
- Fortson, Ga.
- La Grange Ga.
- Hamilton, Ga.
- Waverly Hall, Ga.
- Smiths Station, Al.
- Fort Mitchell, Al.
- Opelika, Al.
- Cussesta, Ga.
- Phenix City, Al.
- Eufaula, Al.