Foxes in general
- How big are they?
- Do they hunt in packs?
- How long do they live?
- Where do they live?
- What is the urban fox population?
- Are urban foxes starving?
- Are there more foxes in cities than out?
- Should I feed foxes?
- Why are there foxes in cities?
- Are urban foxes different animals to the ones in the cities?
- Is it likely for a fox to attack or kill children?
- Will foxes attack my cat or dog?
- How do I stop foxes digging up my garden?
- Will foxes eat my rabbits/guinea pigs?
- Do foxes kill for pleasure?
- How can I deter foxes from my garden?
- Are urban foxes hungry?
- Should I feed foxes?
- What should I feed foxes?
How big are they?
Foxes are really quite small even though they are the largest of the true foxes. A dog fox is about 6.7kg and a vixen about 5.8kg.
Foxes are only a little heavier than the average pet cat, not very heavy. At the shoulder they are about 100cm tall.
Do they hunt in packs?
No, foxes hunt alone only larger dogs like wolves and African wild dogs hunt in packs. The kits learn to hunt not by joining in but by watching the parents.
How long do they live?
Foxes do not live very long at all. Not normally more than 6 years. This is for of a number of reasons. Farmers going out and hunting them, mange and commonly, in and around cities, being killed by cars. Foxes have the potential to live for 14 years but that is more common in captivity. In rural areas, foxes don't normally live for more than 3 years.
Where do they live?
Foxes live all around the world. Most of Asia, most of North America, Almost all of Europe and it has been introduced to parts of Australia. If you were wondering where they actually sleep and things they live in underground dens called earths. These can be found in gardens, forests, under sheds and just about anywhere.
Foxes normally have more than one ground so they can escape but still have somewhere to go.
Urban foxes in the UK
What is the urban fox population?
In 2004 there was an estimate found on the bbc news web page showing that there were about 258,000 foxes in the UK at that time. And that was just the urban foxes. It is thought that there could be up to 500,000 foxes in the UK.
Are urban foxes starving?
No urban foxes are not at all starving. There is a plentiful source of food from human waste to rabbits and voles. It is thought that there is at least 150 times more food than is needed every night in Britain.
Are there more foxes in cities than out?
No, the densities may be higher but than is because cities only make up a small part of the UK. It is thought that foxes in cities only make up 13% of the total population.
Should I feed foxes?
Why not. Foxes are too scared to come near humans so they won't attack you. They will just add it to their nightly round, it's harmless.
The only things you shouldn't do is to feed from your hand or feed them too much. If you want to you can get close to them, maybe even within a few feet, but don't feed them by hand.
Also don't feed them too much, if you do they might become dependent on you and if you then go away on holiday the fox may starve.
Why are there foxes in the cities?
Foxes didn't come here, we came here. We built our low-density houses all over their homes so they got scared away and returned when the building was finished.
Are urban foxes different animals to the ones in the cities?
No, this is a myth. Urban foxes often move out of cities and rural foxes often move into cities. So urban foxes aren't different species they are the same animals as well.
Problems with urban foxes in the UK
Is it likely for a fox to attack or kill children?
No. No fox has ever killed a child in the 80 years or so that they have been in our cities or even been severely injured.
Domestic dogs pose a much higher threat than foxes as they are much bigger and stronger animals.
Will foxes attack my cat or dog?
This is very unlikely as foxes avoid all dogs even small toy dogs and get along fine with cat and sometimes even play with them. If there is any sign of friction between cats and foxes, usually the foxes are sorted out by cats. Occasionally small kittens are killed but keeping pets inside at night greatly reduces the chance of attack.
How do I stop foxes digging up my garden?
There is a wide variety of things you can do but for more information visit The Fox Project website.
Will foxes eat my rabbits/guinea pigs?
If you do not house your pets securely this is quite possible as foxes are opportunists unlike wolves. The chances of this is very low as one fox eats only one pet every six years on average. If you bring your pets in at night you greatly reduce the likely-hood of attack.
Do foxes kill for pleasure?
They don't. Foxes, despite the myth, do not kill for fun. The are, though, opportunists and will kill surplus and cache (bury) the rest. This is why you often see chicken coops filled with dead animals. The fox kills them all meaning to come back but the farmer comes along and the foxes gets scared away. A fox can carry only one chicken at a time.
Can I deter foxes from my garden?
Once again, there is a wide range of choices. For more information, visit The Fox Project website.
Feeding foxes
Are urban foxes hungry?
Once again, no urban foxes are not at all starving. There is a plentiful source of food from human waste to rabbits and voles. It is thought that there is at least 150 times more food than is needed every night in Britain.
Should I feed foxes?
Why not. Foxes are too scared to come near humans so they won't attack you. They will just add it to their nightly round, it's harmless.
The only things you shouldn't do is to feed from your hand or feed them too much. If you want to you can get close to them, maybe even within a few feet, but don't feed them by hand.
Also don't feed them too much, if you do they might become dependent on you and if you then go away on holiday the fox may starve.
What should I feed foxes?
You can feed foxes almost anything but a favourite is raisins and peanuts. The also like table scraps and dogs biscuits. Feel free to experiment (within reason) because if the fox doesn't like it, it won't take it.
I hope these answers helped but again, feel free to ask for more on the Blog.
