Firefoxes

toc = = =Why be Interested in Foxes?= Why be interested in foxes? Many reasons. The fox has been known throughout history as a trickster, sly, and a spiritual being throughout the world since it has appeared on every continent. They are an endangered species, receiving attention from concerned environmentalists. Foxes are growing more and more popular in the media, too. With video games like [|Star Fox], [|Ratchet and Clank], [|The Legend of Zelda], [|Sonic], and television programs for young children and teens alike like [|Yu Yu Hakusho], [|Sonic X], Inuyasha, and the world-wide popular [|Naruto], foxes are beginning to draw attention from a variety of people everywhere.

What we want to know:
How do foxes raise their young? What makes up the foxes diet? What type of personality and characteristics do foxes possess? Are foxes friendly? What role does the fox play in mythology? And finally, is there any real difference between the arctic fox and the red fox?

In General....
The fox belongs in the [|Animalia] category of the Animal Kingdom. Its class is [|Mammalia] and it is part of the [|Canidae] family. While its order may be the [|Carnivora], the fox doesn't only eat meat. Its known to eat other things such as berries and other types of fruits.

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Where and How They Live
An Arctic Fox lives in a [|burrow] or den dug into the side of a hill, cliff or riverbank. During the winter, the arctic foxes build tunnels, connecting several snow families together. They also are often hunting in small groups during the winter. Arctic foxes hunt lemming, which are small furry animals under the snow. If an arctic fox can't find enough to eat, they'll settle for leftovers from other animals. The arctic fox lives farther north than any other fox. They live around northern and western Alaska and Canada, northern Canada, southern to northern Northwest territories, northwest Alberta, northern Manitoba, northern Quebec, Russia, and Greenland; a few records showing the arctic fox living farther south. They also eat seabirds, when they're nesting near the sea, including; auklets, puffins, and murres. Their dens can be up to 300 years old and have as many or more than 100 entrances. The arctic fox migrates in search of food for lean years where food is scarce. The number of arctic foxes, especially in populations dependent upon lemmings for the major portion of their diet, fluctuates widely in relation to the abundance of lemmings. Although the fluctuations in lemming numbers, which occur every three to four years in North America, are not as well understood as those in Scandinavian countries, they are no less dramatic. Population size may vary ten or twentyfold between years, and hundredfold increases are not uncommon at a peak in the lemming cycle. During years when lemmings are plentiful, many foxes survive the long winter, a large proportion of the population breeds the following spring, and the litters are raised successfully. Hence a peak in the arctic fox cycle is recorded the following winter. They are well adapted predators. They also hunt lemmings, voles, squirrels, birds, bird eggs, berries, fish and [|carrion]. In the winter the fox will often be seen following polar bears at a safe distance, to eat their leftovers. The arctic has to be sly unless itr wants to be come a meal for the polar bear. But the foxes bushy white coat luckily makes it hard to spot!! The arctic fox burrows into the ground or snow for protection from the arctic cold. It will create a store of food

=How They Look and=

The arctic fox turns into [|two main colors], blue and white. During the winter their [|physical characteristics] are, white with a black tip at its tail, and grayish brown in the summer. The blue arctic fox is dark blue in the winter, but in the summer it's brown. They weigh from 6-10 pounds. The height at their shoulders is often [|10-12 inches high]. They have thick hair on the pads of their feet to protect their feet from freezing and so they can walk on the ice. The hair on their feet also helps to prevent them from slipping. The arctic fox has the warmest fur of any mammal. They are the smallest doglike animal in Canada. The large bushy tail makes up 30 to 35% of its total height. It will create a store of food over the summer months and freeze it in the permafrost. Pups are born in dens every spring. They are born by their mothers in a litter of 6-12 and stay with their family through the summer. The male fox will bring food to the family and guard the den.

=Red Foxes= The Red Fox is one of the most common foxes in the world. They inhabit many forests, but can live comfortably in the city as well. =Red Foxes Growing Up= When winter comes around, baby foxes are born. The mother fox, known as a vixen, knows when the time is right. In the warmer parts of the world, young are born in February, but may come as late as April in colder regions. She and her mate, known as a dog fox, prepare for the arrivals in the safety of their den. After nurturing them in her womb for over seven weeks, the relieved mother licks and nurses between 3 to 10 tiny, gray babies. She remains wrapped around the 4 ounce bundles for at least two days. During this important time, her mate brings food, which she gobbles down heartily. In their second week of life, the small fox kits, the term for a baby fox, begin opening their eyes. The first sight is that of their mothers belly, where they continue to suckle constantly for milk. Now that they can see, it doesn't take them long to find their legs, and explore the inside of their home. Once a month has passed since her little ones were born, the vixen introduces them to the outside. Only peeking their noses out at first, they become anxious to smell, taste and explore every object in sight. If a kit ventures too far, it will cry for rescue until mother comes to retrieve him. Back in the den, they suck and paw at the prey leftover from their parents meals, and nap away the springtime hours. Each day they learn a little bit more. They have great fun finding how to best crouch, jump, and surprise an unsuspecting sibling. In fact, pouncing is practiced on anything that moves, until one is rewarded with a mouthful of cricket. Then, a game of tag begins, as each kit tries to steal the prize. It's a good thing they've been learning to hunt, because at five weeks mother needs a rest. In their anxious nursing, the kits have tugged fur from her belly, and left teeth marks on her skin. It's time to wean them, and when her pups approach, she lays on her stomach. The kits beg their father for milk, but finding none, they start taking adult food more seriously. Now the parents muffle a "wuk wuk wuk" sound before entering the den with food. The first kit to line up thumps his tail and whines submissively. He licks and nips at the corner of his parents mouth, until the food is dropped. Then he must defend it from his litter mates, which is when the kits become truly competitive. Five week old fox kits(below). media type="youtube" key="lRcqHLLBIqI" width="425" height="350"

=A Red Foxes Diet= As an opportunistic omnivore, the key to fox diet is variety. Local plants that produce fruit are always a favorite, as well as large insects commonly found near them. Other staples include small mammals, such as mice, shrews, and voles. Less frequently, birds, eggs and small rabbits also end up on the menu. Capturing prey requires a combination of sharp senses, instinct and experience. Keeping the nose low to the ground, and ears erect, a fox prefers to search through "edge" territory, where forest and field habitats overlap. There, many opportunities exist to [|pounce the next potential meal]. Foxes are also keen scavengers. In the wild, they might sneak off with the remains of a fish caught by an eagle, or be bold enough to steal scraps from a wolf or polar bear. They also find new opportunities around human dwellings. Unfortunately, urban sprawl has pushed people into increasingly closer contact with foxes. Fields that once supplied berries, mice, and insects are now paved for parking lots. In these places, foxes have adapted to forage through trash bins, eat rats beneath bushes, and bugs around porch lights. For those who enjoy helping wildlife, leave out only safe foods such as deboned meat, fish, eggs, bread, fruit, or pet food. Put them as far away from human dwellings as possible. Never feed wild animals continuously or by hand, as they may become too trusting and dependant on people. Once food has been found, a fox will save the leftovers by covering them with grass, burying them, or otherwise hiding them from other predators. This survival technique, called caching, is especially important during the winter. Sometimes those caches are sometimes discovered by other animals, so foxes must make an effort to spread them out, check them frequently, and camoflauge them well. The success of keeping caches secret can be the difference between living comfortably, or suffering from hunger. With such a variety of skills, and a diverse appetite, the red fox proves to be a highly adaptable omnivore.

=Natural Disasters A Red Fox Faces=

The coyote is a crafty scavenger that inhabits all but the coldest regions of North America. Weighing up to 45 pounds, they can be twice the size of a red fox. Many traits are shared between the two species, including the skill to pounce prey, but like wolves they can travel in small packs and hunt in pairs. Because they share similar prey and territory, coyotes are considered the troublesome big-brother of foxes. Preferring to avoid one another, the two species usually divide up the land. However, if space is limited, the coyotes take over by chasing away the resident foxes. Adult foxes are often killed over these land and resource disputes. The risk to foxes is especially high in spring, when kits are born. The relatively timid fox does its best to stay away from its "big brother", because coyotes are well known to harass and kill young. Coyote aggression depends on the individual animals and their circumstances. In rare cases, foxes and coyotes have even been seen living near each other and even eating from the same leftovers. Because coyotes can be unpredictable, the red fox must always be on defense.

Firefoxes Reference Page