Animal Management Products 

"Supplying professional Animal Management products since 1964" 

 

 

Division of 

DITCHLING CORPORATION LIMITED

 

Against all odds foxes have maintained their numbers. Their adaptability has ensured their success, as urban areas encroach on rural regions, they colonise both contrasting habitats with apparent ease.        A major factor contributing to the Foxes'  success is their eating habits. Foxes are omniverous, and will eat virtually anything they come across. They have a reputation for taking poultry, but more often eat such undesirables as Rats and Slugs, along with fruit, berries, roots, carrion, and, in cities, discarded french fries and pizzas.  They are more frequently nature's garbage collectors, rather than chicken thieves.

 

    Foxes often only live for one or two years, although they have been known to survive up to nine years. They are territorial, and for most of the year they form small family groups. Mating occurs in January, so this is the chief time for travelling. In March the cubs are often born after a fifty-three day gestation period. Care of the young is often delegated to females related to the mother. The cubs soon grow and, through play, learn to fend for themselves. Consequently the adults often leave them alone for long periods. It is important not to interfere with "abandoned" cubs, as the vixens will return for them. Between August and November the cubs leave the family group to find new territories, often taking over from old and weak adults. These territories they can then occupy. Territories range from two square kilometres in urban areas to forty square kilometres in hill country 

 

    Foxes are active nocturnally, so the best time to watch for them is at dawn or dusk. They do not hibernate, so are often seen all year round, but in the summer you may see the cubs playing. Foxes are very distinctive, although people are often surprised at how small they are, just a foot high to the shoulder. They are not necessarily very red either, they can be many shades of brown 

 

    When a Fox and a Cat meet, they will either ignore each other, or the Fox will come off worse. As long as small pets such as  Rabbits are securely locked up they will not be taken. However, tamed Foxes that are released are a problem for poultry farmers and other stock- keepers as their lack of fear enables them to take stock during daytime, near to human activity. 

 

    Most diseases that affect Foxes are not generally transmittable to humans, or their pets, however, if rabies is introduced Foxes will be as dangerous as any other infected animal. People pose far more danger to Foxes than vice versa. Cars are the primary cause of casualties, killing Foxes feeding on carrion and Foxes on the move. Foxes that are injured often recover, hidden away, and should not be moved, although supplying food may improve their survival chances. Likewise, cubs who are "rescued" when thought to be abandoned do not usually prosper, and truly orphaned cubs are often cared for by other family members. 

 

Control 

    Poisoning is illegal but Foxes can be caught and removed using  Safeguard Traps.