Fox
What to say about the fox - it’s such a storied creature- depicted in countless stories, myths, movies and more throughout time. This crafty mammal, Latin name Vulpes vulpes, is a member of the Canidae family, which also includes wolves, coyotes and dogs.
Foxes are found everywhere except for the Antarctic Continent, and there are as many as 47 different subspecies. Pictured here is the Red Fox, the most common and widespread of all. The fox is highly adaptable to its environment, and is uniquely able to flourish in areas populated by man due to its scavenging nature. They are smallish creatures, rarely exceeding 20 lbs and are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In the wild they prey on small mammals, their favorite being rabbit. Not exactly at the top of the food chain, the fox finds itself the hunted as well- not only by natural predators such as eagles, coyotes and bears, but also by humans.
For centuries, fox hunts by hunters on horseback accompanied by a pack of dogs has been considered a “sport”. Sadly, fox hunts still persist to this day, despite the objections of many Animal Rights Activists who have sought to abolish this brutal practice. Foxes are considered by many to be nuisance animals, because they often prey on farmers’ livestock. In addition, they are routinely hunted for their fur, but fortunately their resilient nature allows their population to thrive despite habitat loss and human intervention. Long live the fox!
Foxes are found everywhere except for the Antarctic Continent, and there are as many as 47 different subspecies. Pictured here is the Red Fox, the most common and widespread of all. The fox is highly adaptable to its environment, and is uniquely able to flourish in areas populated by man due to its scavenging nature. They are smallish creatures, rarely exceeding 20 lbs and are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In the wild they prey on small mammals, their favorite being rabbit. Not exactly at the top of the food chain, the fox finds itself the hunted as well- not only by natural predators such as eagles, coyotes and bears, but also by humans.
For centuries, fox hunts by hunters on horseback accompanied by a pack of dogs has been considered a “sport”. Sadly, fox hunts still persist to this day, despite the objections of many Animal Rights Activists who have sought to abolish this brutal practice. Foxes are considered by many to be nuisance animals, because they often prey on farmers’ livestock. In addition, they are routinely hunted for their fur, but fortunately their resilient nature allows their population to thrive despite habitat loss and human intervention. Long live the fox!