Interesting facts from the life of a fox. For preschoolers about the fox. Red fox habitats

Foxes live throughout Europe, Asia, North America and North Africa.

The fox is a carnivorous mammal and belongs to the canine family. Depending on the species, the size of this animal can be up to 90 cm in length, and its weight can reach 10 kg.

The fox is distinguished by an elongated graceful body, an elongated muzzle, pointed ears and a fluffy tail. Large, elongated ears help foxes catch sounds, and a long tail helps maintain balance while running and protects them from the cold.

Foxes' fur is most often yellow, sandy or red in color. In the summer, the fox sheds, and by winter it grows new fur, thick and fluffy, necessary for protection from the cold. The winter fur of this animal is long and beautiful. In ancient times, fox fur was even equated with money.

The fox is a predator; it feeds on small rodents - mice, gophers. It is generally accepted that the favorite food of foxes is hares, but this is not entirely true. Because of her short legs, it is difficult for her to catch up with such a fast animal as a hare. Although the fox can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h, it cannot pursue its prey for a long time.

In addition to rodents and hares, the fox loves to eat birds, eggs from ruined nests, fruits and berries.

Foxes choose the dark or early morning to hunt. The fox relies mainly on touch and smell. Her eyes, although adapted to see in the dark, do not distinguish colors.

In winter, the fox engages in mouse hunting. This hunt requires all her dexterity, excellent hearing and intelligence. A fox can hear an animal 100 m away. She listens for the movement of a rodent under the snow and, as soon as she detects it, rises on her hind legs and, bringing her front legs together, dives sharply into the snow. If the thickness of the snow cover is small, then the fox simply digs it up and takes out the vole mouse.

Having caught prey, the fox does not chew the meat, but gnaws it into small pieces and swallows.

Foxes are not able to stock up, so if they catch a rodent, but are full, they simply play with the prey like cats until the rodent stops showing signs of life. Because of this feature, people used foxes in fruit fields to kill rodent pests.

Foxes generally lead a sedentary lifestyle. Young individuals go no further than 20-30 km from the parental den. These animals prefer open areas; they are rarely found in wooded areas. Foxes live in burrows that they dig on the slopes of hills or river floods. Several passages are made into the hole, which lead through long tunnels to a common nesting place. Foxes sleep in it and raise puppies.

Foxes find a mate to raise their offspring together. Puppies are born once a year. One litter can have up to 16 puppies. Fox cubs are born blind, toothless and deaf. After two weeks they already begin to see, hear and bark. The mother feeds the cubs with milk. Gradually, their parents teach them to hunt and eat meat.

The lifespan of foxes in nature is up to 10 years. In a zoo, a fox can live up to 20-25 years.

Questions about the report:

1. Where are foxes found?
2. What do they eat?
3. What is the name of the fox's house?
4. How many babies are born and how often?
5. How long do foxes live?

Fox (fox) ( Vulpes) is a predatory mammal, belongs to the order Carnivora, family Canidae. The Latin name for the fox genus appears to have come from corruptions of the Latin “lupus” and the German “Wolf,” both translated as “wolf.” In the Old Church Slavonic language, the adjective “fox” corresponded to the definition of yellowish, red and yellowish-orange color, characteristic of the color of the widespread common fox.

Fox (fox): description, characteristics, photo

Depending on the species, the size of the fox varies from 18 cm (for the fennec) to 90 cm, and the weight of the fox ranges from 0.7 kg (for the fennec) to 10 kg. Foxes have a characteristic generic feature - a slender, elongated body with rather short limbs, a slightly elongated muzzle and tail.

The fox's fluffy tail serves as a kind of stabilizer while running, and in winter cold it is used for additional protection from frost.

The length of a fox's tail depends on the species. In the fennec fox it reaches 20-30 cm. The length of the common fox's tail is 40-60 cm.

Foxes rely more on touch and smell than sight. They have a sensitive sense of smell and excellent hearing.

Their ears are quite large, triangular, slightly elongated, with a sharp tip. The largest ears are those of the fennec fox (up to 15 cm in height) and the bat-eared fox (up to 13 cm in height).

The vision of animals, adapted for a nocturnal lifestyle, allows representatives of the genus to respond perfectly to movement, however, the structure of the fox's eye with vertical pupils is not adapted for color recognition.

A fox has a total of 42 teeth, except for the bat-eared fox, which grows 48 teeth.

The density and length of the hair of these predators depends on the time of year and climatic conditions. In winter and in areas with harsh weather conditions, the fox's fur becomes thick and lush; in summer, the lushness and length of the fur decreases.

The color of a fox can be sandy, red, yellowish, brown with black or white markings. In some species, the fur color can be almost white or black-brown. In northern latitudes, foxes are larger and have a lighter color; in southern countries, the color of the fox is duller, and the size of the animal is smaller.

When chasing a victim or in case of danger, a fox can reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. During the mating season, foxes may make barking sounds.

The lifespan of a fox in natural conditions ranges from 3 to 10 years, but in captivity the fox lives up to 25 years of age.

Classification of foxes

In the canine family (wolf, canine), there are several genera, which include different types of foxes:

• Maikongi ( Cerdocyon)
  • Maikong, savannah fox ( Cerdocyon thous)
• Small foxes ( Atelocynus)
  • Small fox ( Atelocynus microtis)
• Big-eared foxes ( Otocyon)
  • Big-eared fox ( Otocyon megalotis)
• South American foxes ( Lycalopex)
  • Andean fox ( Lycalopex culpaeus)
  • South American fox ( Lycalopex griseus)
  • Darwin's fox ( Lycalopex fulvipes)
  • Paraguayan fox ( Lycalopex gymnocercus)
  • Brazilian fox ( Lycalopex vetulus)
  • Sekuran fox ( Lycalopex sechurae)
• Gray foxes ( Urocyon)
  • Gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
  • Island fox ( Urocyon littoralis)
• Foxes ( Vulpes)
  • Common or red fox ( Vulpes vulpes)
  • American fox ( Vulpes macrotis)
  • Afghan fox ( Vulpes cana)
  • African fox ( Vulpes pallida)
  • Bengal fox (Indian) ( Vulpes bengalensis)
  • Corsac, steppe fox ( Vulpes corsac)
  • American corsac ( Vulpes velox)
  • Sand fox ( Vulpes rueppelli)
  • Tibetan fox ( Vulpes ferrilata)
  • Fennec ( Vulpes zerda, Fennecus zerda)
  • South African fox ( Vulpes chama)

Types of foxes, names and photographs

Below is a brief description of several varieties of foxes:

• Common fox (red fox) ( Vulpes vulpes)

The largest representative of the fox genus. The weight of the fox reaches 10 kilograms, and the length of the body including the tail is 150 cm. Depending on the area of ​​residence, the color of the fox may vary slightly in tonal saturation, but the main color of the back and sides remains bright red, and the belly is white. Black “stockings” are clearly visible on the legs. A characteristic feature of the common fox is the white tip of the tail and dark, almost black ears.

Its habitat includes all of Europe, North Africa, Asia (from India to Southern China), North America and Australia.

Representatives of this species of foxes happily eat field mice, hares, and baby roe deer; when the opportunity arises, they destroy the nests of geese and wood grouse, and feed on carrion, beetles, and insect larvae. Surprisingly, the red fox is a fierce destroyer of oat crops: in the absence of a meat menu, it attacks cereal farmland, causing damage to it.

• American fox (Vulpes macrotis )

A medium-sized predatory mammal. The body length of a fox varies from 37 cm to 50 cm, the tail reaches a length of 32 cm, the weight of an adult fox ranges from 1.9 kg (female) to 2.2 kg (male). The back of the animal is colored yellowish-gray or whitish, and the sides are yellowish-brown. The distinctive features of this fox species are a white belly and a black tip of the tail. The lateral surface of the muzzle and the sensitive whiskers are dark brown or black. The length of the fur hairs does not exceed 50 mm.

The fox lives in the southwestern deserts of the United States and north of Mexico, feeding on hares and rodents (kangaroo hoppers).

• Afghan fox (Bukhara, Balochistan fox)(Vulpes cana )

A small animal belonging to the Canidae family. The length of the fox does not exceed 0.5 meters. The length of the tail is 33-41 cm. The weight of the fox ranges from 1.5-3 kilograms. The Bukhara fox differs from other types of foxes in its rather large ears, the height of which reaches 9 cm, and dark stripes running from the upper lip to the corners of the eyes. In winter, the color of the fox's fur on the back and sides becomes a rich brownish-gray color with individual black guard hairs. In summer, its intensity decreases, but the whitish color of the throat, chest and belly remains unchanged. The Afghan fox does not have hair on the surface of its paw pads, which protects other desert foxes from the hot sand.

The main habitat of the fox is the east of Iran, the territory of Afghanistan and Hindustan. Less common in Egypt, Turkmenistan, UAE, Pakistan. The Afghan fox is an omnivore. He eats locusts, mice and gophers with appetite, and does not refuse the vegetarian menu.

• African fox(Vulpes pallida)

Has an external resemblance to a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes), but has a more modest size. The total length of the fox's body including the tail does not exceed 70-75 cm, and the weight rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg. Unlike the common fox, its African relative has longer legs and ears. The color of the back, legs and tail with a black tip is red with a brown tint, and the muzzle and belly are white. A black rim is clearly visible around the eyes of adult individuals, and a strip of dark-colored fur runs along the ridge.

The African fox lives in African countries - it can often be seen in Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. The fox's food consists of both animals (small rodents, lizards) and plant components.

• Bengal fox (Indian fox)(Vulpes bengalensis )

This type of fox is characterized by medium size. The height of adult individuals at the withers does not exceed 28-30 cm, the weight of the fox ranges from 1.8 to 3.2 kg, and the maximum body length reaches 60 cm. The length of the fox's tail with a black tip rarely reaches 28 cm. Wool, which forms the hairline , short and smooth. It is colored in various shades of sandy brown or reddish brown.

The animal lives in the foothills of the Himalayas and thrives in India and in Bangladesh and Nepal. The Indian fox's menu always includes sweet fruits, but preference is given to lizards, bird eggs, mice, and insects.

• Corsac fox, steppe fox(Vulpes corsac )

It bears a vague resemblance to the common fox, however, unlike it, representatives of this type of fox have a shorter pointed muzzle, large wide ears and longer legs. The body length of an adult corsac is 0.5-0.6 m, and the weight of a fox ranges from 4 to 6 kg. The color of the back, sides and tail of the fox is gray, sometimes with a red or red tint, and the color of the belly is yellowish or white. A characteristic feature of this species is the light coloration of the chin and lower lip, as well as the dark brown or black color of the tip of the tail.

The steppe fox lives in many countries: from southeastern Europe to Asia, including Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. Often found in the Caucasus and the Urals, lives on the Don and in the lower Volga region.

Steppe foxes feed on rodents (voles, jerboas, mice), destroy nests, hunting for bird eggs, and sometimes attack hedgehogs and hares. There is practically no plant food in the diet of the steppe fox.

• American corsac fox, dwarf agile fox, prairie fox(Vulpes velox )

A small fox with a body length from 37 to 53 cm and a weight from 2 to 3 kg. The height of the animal at the withers rarely reaches 0.3 m, and the length of the tail is 35 cm. The characteristic light gray color of the thick short fur of the fox on the sides and back in the summer acquires a pronounced red tint with red-ocher tan marks. The fox's throat and belly are lighter in color. Also characteristic of the American Corsac are the black markings located on both sides of the sensitive nose and the dark tip of the tail.

The dwarf fox lives in areas of plains and semi-deserts and has practically no territorial attachment.

The fox feeds on mice and rabbits, loves to feast on locusts and grasshoppers, and will not refuse the carrion left over from the prey of more seasoned predators.

• sand fox(Vulpes rueppelli )

The animal has characteristically large, wide ears and paws, the pads of which are protected from the hot sand by a thick coat of fur. Unlike most of their relatives, representatives of this species of fox have well-developed not only hearing and smell, but also vision. The pale brown color of the back, tail and sides with individual white guard hairs serves as a good camouflage color for the fox in sandy and stone placers in its habitat. The weight of adult animals rarely reaches 3.5-3.6 kg, and the length of the fox’s body including the tail does not exceed 85-90 cm.

The sand fox lives in desert areas. Numerous populations are found in the sands of the Sahara Desert - from Morocco and sultry Egypt to Somalia and Tunisia.

The sand fox's diet is not very diverse, which is due to its habitat. The fox's food includes lizards, jerboas and mice, spiders and scorpions, which the animal is absolutely not afraid of and deftly absorbs.

• Tibetan fox(Vulpes ferrilata )

The animal grows to a size of 60-70 cm and weighs about 5 kg. The rusty-brown or fiery red color of the back, gradually turning into the light gray color of the sides and white belly, creates the impression of stripes running along the body of the fox. Fox fur is dense and longer than other species.

The fox lives on the territory of the Tibetan plateau, and is less common in northern India, Nepal, and some provinces of China.

The food of the Tibetan fox is varied, but its basis is pikas (hay stands), although the fox happily catches mice and hares, does not disdain birds and their eggs, and eats lizards and sweet berries.

• Fennec ( Vulpes zerda)

This is the smallest fox in the world. The height of adult animals at the withers is only 18-22 cm with a body length of about 40 cm and a weight of up to 1.5 kg. The fennec fox has the largest ears among the representatives of the genus. The length of the ears reaches 15 cm. The surface of the pads on the fox's paws is pubescent, which allows the animal to calmly move along the hot sand. The animal's belly is painted white, and its back and sides are painted in various shades of red or fawn. The tip of the fox's fluffy tail is black. Unlike other relatives, who make sounds out of necessity, foxes of this species often communicate with each other using barking, growling, and howling sounds.

Fennec foxes live mainly in the central Sahara, but this fox can often be seen in Morocco, the Sinai and Arabian Peninsulas, near Lake Chad and in Sudan.

Fenech is an omnivorous fox: it hunts rodents and small birds, eats locusts and lizards, and will not refuse the roots of plants and their sweet fruits.

• South African fox ( Vulpes chama)

A fairly large animal with a weight of 3.5 to 5 kg and a body length of 45 to 60 cm. The length of the tail is 30-40 cm. The color of the fox varies from gray with a silver tint to almost black on the back and gray with a yellowish tint on the belly.

The fox lives exclusively in the countries of Southern Africa, with especially large populations found in Angola and Zimbabwe.

Omnivorous species: food includes small rodents, lizards, low-nesting birds and their eggs, carrion and even food waste, which the animal looks for when entering private yards or landfills.

• Maikong, savannah fox, crabeater fox ( Cerdocyon thous)

The species has a body length of 60 to 70 cm, the fox's tail reaches 30 cm, and the fox weighs 5-8 kg. The height of the maikong at the withers is 50 cm. The color is brown-gray with brown spots on the muzzle and paws. The color of the throat and belly may be grey, white or various shades of yellow. The tips of the fox's ears and tail are black. The legs of the maikong are short and strong, the tail is fluffy and long. The weight of an adult maikong reaches 4.5-7.7 kg. The body length is approximately 64.3 cm, the tail length is 28.5 cm.

The Maykong lives in South America. The savannah fox feeds on crabs and crustaceans, lizards, fish, frogs, insects, turtle eggs, and also sometimes eats berries, fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, figs and mangoes.

• Big-eared fox ( Otocyon megalotis)

The animal has disproportionately large ears, reaching 13 cm in height. The fox's body length reaches 45-65 cm, the tail length is 25-35 cm. The fox's weight varies between 3-5.3 kg. The hind legs of the animal have 4 fingers, the front legs are five-toed. The color of the animal is usually gray-yellow with brown, gray or yellow spots. The belly and throat of the fox have a lighter shade. The tips of the paws and ears are dark, there is a black stripe on the tail, and the same stripe is on the fox’s face. This species of fox differs from other species by the presence of 48 teeth (other representatives of the genus have only 42 teeth).

The fox lives in southern and eastern Africa: Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, South Africa.

The fox's main food is termites, beetles and locusts. Sometimes the animal feeds on bird eggs, lizards, small rodents, and plant foods.

The distribution range of foxes includes all of Europe, the African continent, North America, Australia and a large part of Asia. The fox lives in the forests and groves of Italy and Portugal, Spain and France, in the steppe and forest-steppe regions of Russia and Ukraine, Poland and Bulgaria, desert and mountainous regions of Egypt and Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, Mexico and the United States of America. Foxes feel at ease in the fertile climate of India, Pakistan and China, as well as the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Alaska.

Under natural conditions, foxes live in ravines and ravines overgrown with vegetation, forests or plantings interspersed with fields, in desert and highland areas. Burrows of other animals or those dug themselves are often used as shelter. Burrows can be either simple or with a complex system of passages and emergency exits. Foxes can hide in caves, rock crevices, and also in tree hollows. They can easily survive spending the night in the open air. The animal easily adapts to life in cultivated landscapes. Fox populations were observed even in park areas of large cities.

Almost all members of the family lead an active nocturnal lifestyle, but foxes often go hunting during the daytime.

What does a fox eat in the wild?

The fox's food completely depends on the animal's place of residence, time of year and species. It is based on rodents (mice, gophers), ground-nesting birds and their eggs, as well as hares. Large individuals often attack young roe deer and other small mammals. In winter, foxes can feed on carrion, all kinds of food waste, or attack small domestic animals and birds.

Foxes, which live in steppe and desert areas, eat various insects (beetles, termites, locusts), reptiles (frogs) and reptiles (lizards, turtle eggs).

Species of foxes that live along the rivers along which salmon return from spawning happily feed on fish. In the summer months, the fox's menu is replenished with a variety of fruits, berries and fruits, as well as succulent parts of plants.

Reproduction of foxes

Foxes, like wolves, are monogamous animals whose mating season occurs once a year. The time of the rut, as well as its duration, depends on the type of fox and occurs between December and March. To produce and train offspring in hunting skills, a male and female fox form a pair for one season. The exceptions are corsacs, which create permanent pairs, and fennec foxes, which have permanent communities of more than ten individuals.

Even before the start of the mating season, the female fox begins to look for a hole in which she will breed her offspring.

The duration of fox pregnancy may vary slightly among different species, on average it varies from 48 to 60 days.

In one litter there are from 4 to 16 blind, deaf and toothless puppies. The color of their fur can be either very light or dark brown, but always with a light tip on the tail.

The weight of newborn fox cubs ranges from 40 to 100 grams, and the size does not exceed 14 cm. After a couple of weeks, fox puppies gain the ability to hear and see their surroundings. At the same time, their first upper teeth erupt.

The period of feeding with milk lasts about one and a half months, at the same time the parents accustom the offspring to meat food and its production. To do this, they teach kids to hunt insects, lizards and frogs. By the end of summer, fox puppies already fully resemble adult animals, and in November they leave their parents and begin to live independently. Sexual maturity in foxes occurs in the second year of life.

Fox at home: maintenance and care

Keeping a domestic fox in a house or apartment is possible, but to do this you need to follow a number of rules. It is imperative to find a good veterinarian who will periodically monitor the health of your pet. The cage for a fox should be spacious so that the animal can make a kind of lair in it. In addition, it should be arranged in such a way that it is easy to clean. It is necessary to put a drinking bowl in the cage so that the animal does not feel thirsty. If the territory of a country house allows, then you can arrange a large indoor enclosure with a booth for your domestic fox. The net should be buried almost a meter into the ground so that the cunning pet does not dig under the ground and run away.

To prevent the fox from getting bored, you must play with it and train it - a domestic fox quickly becomes attached to its owners, so it does it with pleasure. However, one should not resort to aggressive games, because even a tamed animal can cross the line and bite or scratch the owner. The best option would be to use an arsenal of “typical cat fun” rather than canine ones.

During the summer, foxes emit a strong and rather unpleasant odor, so it is recommended to bathe your domestic fox at least once every two weeks.

What to feed a domestic fox?

Domestic foxes are unpretentious in their diet and happily eat dog food, but it should be remembered that it must be of the highest quality. Fruits, berries and vegetables can be used as herbal supplements. The fox can be fed chicken, beef and fish. But before you treat your pet to these delicacies, they should be boiled, and the fish should be examined for large bones, selecting them from the pulp. The animal will not refuse dairy products - cottage cheese, soft cheese, milk. However, do not forget: these treats should be included in the diet no more often than a couple of times every 2 weeks, limiting their consumption to 100-180 grams per feeding.

You can pamper your pet fox with “live” food by purchasing a live mouse or rat in a specialized store, but you shouldn’t pamper your pet with this menu option - the fox can completely refuse standard food in favor of hunting animals.

• In ancient times, fox skins were the equivalent of banknotes.
• Foxes are very intelligent and cunning animals, often confusing the hunting dogs that pursue them.
• The fox received the nickname “Patrikeevna” on behalf of the Novgorod prince Patrikey, who became famous in his time for his cunning and resourcefulness in conducting trade affairs.
• The image of a fox is widely used in folklore and literature of different countries. In most of them, the animal is a symbol of cunning. However, in ancient Mesopotamia the fox was a sacred animal, and in Japan it was considered a werewolf.
• The most famous works in which the fox is one of the main characters are the late 12th century poem “The Romance of the Fox”, Carlo Collodi’s fairy tale “The Adventures of Pinocchio” and “The Little Prince”, written by the famous Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
• The fox's hearing is so perfect that it can hear the squeak of a field mouse at a distance of 100 m.
• While eating, the fox chews the meat into small pieces and swallows them without chewing.
• The image of a small fennec fox is the logo of the Firefox line of multimedia products.
• The maned wolf is very similar to a fox, but does not belong to the genus of foxes. In addition, he lacks the characteristic feature of a fox - a vertical pupil.

Common fox or red fox

The fox (Vulpes Vulpes) is a large animal that belongs to the Fox family. She is very beautiful, and also quite cunning. These characteristic traits, transmitted at the genetic level, have allowed this creature to survive to this day.

Where does the fox live

Do you know where red foxes live? They are native to North Africa, North America, Siberia, Asia, Iceland and New Zealand. They cover a wide range of about 70 million square kilometers.

Some of these animals have also been introduced to Australia. This has proven fatal to other mammals (and birds) such as koalas, marsupial anteaters, red opossum rats, Tasmanian opossum rats and burrowing opossum rats. It is for this reason that these animals have been classified as one of the “100 most dangerous invasive species in the world.”

Fox holes go from 0.5 to 2.5 meters deep. The main entrance has a diameter of about 17 centimeters.

The adaptability of red foxes allows them to survive in any environment. Data on red foxes shows that they are not endangered. Excavations show that these animals appeared about 2 million years ago. Foxes are extroverted animals.

Appearance of a red fox

• The red fox can be easily recognized by its external features - a long tail and short legs;
• they have long fangs and an elongated skull;
• The average body length of an adult fox is 45 to 90 cm (18 to 35 inches);
• height at withers - from 35 to 50 cm (14 - 20 inches);
• foxtail length 760 – 1600 mm (30 – 63 inches);
• ear length 7.7 – 12.5 cm (3 – 5 inches);
• hind legs 12 – 18.5 cm (5 – 7 inches) long;
• the red fox weighs 2.2 to 14 kg (4.9 to 31 lb), with a skull weighing 129 – 167 mg;
• front legs length 60 mm, width 45 mm;
• hind legs length 55 mm, width 38 mm.

• these animals are capable of reaching speeds of 50 kilometers per hour during a chase;
• their average speed is 6 – 13 kilometers per hour;
• the heaviest red fox weighed about 17.2 kg (38.1 lb) and was 1.4 meters long;
• The red fox has exceptional vision, but its eyes react to movement;
• in one territory there can be from 2 to 8 foxes;
• the average lifespan is 1.5 years in the wild, while in captivity a fox can live up to 14 years;
• these animals usually sleep about 9 hours a day.

What does a fox eat?

Red fox diet facts confirm that these animals are omnivores, and they primarily feed on small rodents, plants, roots, mice, gophers, voles, marmots, waterfowl and hamsters. The red fox's diet includes some species of birds, insects, opossums, reptiles, chickens, invertebrates, fish, small ungulates, raccoons, hares and porcupines.

Some species include fruits in their diet during the fall. Including cherries, mulberries, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, acorns, apples and raspberries. They also feed on persimmon, plum and sedge fruits. The red fox is known to feed in the morning or at sunset. The red fox also preys on stoats, pine martens, weasels, young sables and weasels.

Red foxes have been hunted by humans for a long time.

Reproduction

• the pregnancy period lasts 49 – 58 days;
• they are monogamous animals, and seek partners for life;
• females give birth to 4–6 cubs, but 10–13 cubs per litter have also been recorded;
• the weight of the cubs is 56 - 110 grams, and the body length is about 14.5 cm without tail (7.5 feet);
• adolescents stay with their mother for the next 2 to 3 weeks;
• Both males and females feed their young, but the mother plays the largest role in this;
• fox cubs open their eyes after 13 - 15 days of life, the color of the fur begins to change at the age of 3 weeks, they leave their nest after 3 - 4 weeks;
• the lactation period lasts 6 – 7 weeks;
• They develop shiny fur after 2 months;
• after 3 – 4 months, these cubs have long limbs and a narrow skull;
• Red foxes become sexually mature after 6 – 7 months.

The first is from the word “fox”, that is, yellow-red (although these animals can be gray, brown, black and even marbled in color). Or from the word “dashing”, which is also a plausible option. A favorite character in legends, fairy tales and hunting tales, people associate her with deceit, pretense and seductive women.

Dancing with meaning

Having conquered all continents except Antarctica, the fox remains one of the most numerous and dangerous inhabitants of local forests. Today, according to hunting farms, there are over 14 thousand foxes in the region. The common fox, familiar to Belgorod residents, belongs to the order of canines. This is the most common species of the numerous fox genus.

“We have three such individuals, although visitors are constantly trying to give us new ones,” explains the head of the local fauna section of the Belgorod Zoo Anna Konstantinovskaya.

The red-haired beast prefers to live alone rather than in a pack. She solves the housing problem in an original way.

“The fox lives in holes dug not by itself, but by ferrets or hamsters. When the rightful owner is not at home, she coats the entrance to his hole with odorous feces. Unable to bear this aroma, the previous tenant leaves his home,” says the hunter Andrey Kurvyakov.

Photo by Anna Morozova

Only after deciding to become a bride does the fox agree to live in the eyeliner. The rest of the time she hunts and sleeps alone. By the way, unlike other animals, in the fight for a female, it is not the strongest male who wins, but the smartest one.

“The mating season begins in mid-winter. One female is courted by several males, and fights between them are common. Male foxes are good family men. They not only take part in raising young animals, but also take touching care of their pregnant friends: they carry food, improve their burrows,” says an employee of the Department of Biology of Belgorod State University Anzhelika Gorbacheva.

Having retired, the couples play and dance a lot: the fox rises on its hind legs and walks in this position with small steps. From this movement of hers the pair dance foxtrot got its name (translated from English as “fox step”).

Fathers by vocation

By the way, the cubs’ own father does not always become the breadwinner of the babies.

“This is due to the fact that pheromones appear in the urine of pregnant females, which can stimulate the paternal instinct in males. Even if the biological father dies, one of the bachelors will take his place in the parental couple,” adds Angelica.

Photo by Anna Morozova

The couple gives birth to an average of four to six babies. Already at the age of one month, they meet their parents from the hunt at the entrance to the hole. Fox cubs are very restless and shrill. But as soon as the mother makes an alarming yelp, the kindergarten is blown into a hole by the wind.

As soon as a person even accidentally stumbles upon a fox family, the same night the cubs will be transferred to a spare hole: the foxes have several of them on the site. When the puppies are threatened, one of the parents leads the enemy as far away from the den as possible, risking their own skin.

The fox marks its territory (usually an area of ​​10–15 km in diameter) with scent marks. There is even an old hunting fable that a fox's tail smells like violets. The purpose of this gland in the life of foxes is still unclear, but it probably helps them find a new groom in the vastness of the forests.

The standard of cunning

Few animals are called by their first and patronymic names. The fox has it - Patrikeevna. About 600 years ago there lived a prince named Patrikey Narimuntovich, famous for her resourcefulness and cunning. Since then, the name Patrikey has become equivalent to the word cunning. And since the fox has long been considered by the people to be the most cunning animal, it inherited such a patronymic from the prince.

All over the world, the fox embodies cunning, acting as a treacherous scoundrel or an intelligent adviser. In the East, legends about werewolf foxes capable of turning into seductive women are especially common.

Photo by Anna Morozova

And for good reason. A fox can adapt to the habits of any animal that it chooses as its prey. She pushes the hedgehog into the water so that he turns around. He puts on a show in front of the bird, showing with all his appearance that he is not interested in it and is completely asleep, and when the prey loses its vigilance, it attacks.

Their original method of getting rid of fleas can tell about the intelligence of foxes. Taking a bunch of moss in its mouth, the fox enters the river or lake. The fleas move higher and higher and eventually end up on a moss trap. Then she simply throws the annoying creatures into the water. Local hunters tell how a fox can “play possum” by pretending to be dead.

“When escaping pursuit, foxes confuse their tracks, thereby confusing the pursuer. They move at a small trot, with their hind paws following the tracks of their front paws, as if the animal is following a thread,” adds Andrei Kurvyakov.

Mouse for dinner

Although the fox belongs to typical predators, it feeds on different foods. It can eat up to 400 species of different animals and several dozen species of plants. It can kill a hare, a forest bird, and a dragged-away hen. Strong enough to strangle a sika deer calf. At the same time, he will not refuse grapes, apples or fish. But the basis of its diet is rodents.

While hunting for small rodents - mouse hunting - the fox looks funny. Getting excited, she seems to be dancing in one place, bouncing on her hind legs, and hitting the snow with force with her front legs. This is how the predator drives the frightened rodents to the surface, where it catches them.

Photo by Anna Morozova

The fox will hear the squeak of the future victim a hundred meters away. She has excellent hearing and sense of smell and excellent visual memory: she notices the slightest changes near her hole.

Foxes also have enemies. For us these are wolves and eagles. But thanks to her agility, speed, ability to swim and, if desired, even climb a tree, she rarely gets caught for lunch. It is fatal for a fox to eat locusts and rodents poisoned by chemicals. And for fox cubs, the main danger is owls and eagle owls.

Domestic foxes

Despite the latest fashion for keeping a fox in the house and its similarity to a dog, experts do not recommend getting such a pet. Fox has its own characteristic aroma that will linger in the apartment. Having caught the bone from the bowl, she will certainly hide it under the carpet.

These animals are afraid of long loneliness: they begin to cry if the owner is gone for a long time. You shouldn’t trust external fluffiness either - a fox is capable of biting through a hand extended with friendly intentions. In addition, many of its diseases can be transmitted to humans.

The worst of them is rabies. In our region, foxes suffer from it most often. At the same time, the sick fox does not behave like other animals: on the contrary, it becomes affectionate and runs up to the person. Many people decide to shelter such a good-natured animal and become infected. The attempt to skin a sick animal also ends sadly.

By the way, until the 1950s, there were fur farms in the Belgorod region where foxes were bred for fur. Today, due to the fact that the natural enemies of foxes - wolves - are three times less than required, foxes multiply uncontrollably, constantly capturing new territory.

Anna Morozova

In folklore, the fox is usually a symbol of cunning. And indeed, this cannot be taken away from foxes - these animals are distinguished by their developed intelligence, intelligence and cunning. Without all these qualities, they would not be able to hunt so effectively and throw off their pursuers. And watching them in the wild has helped us learn a lot of amazing things about them.

Facts about foxes

• Dogs, wolves and jackals are their relatives. At least that's what biologists say.
• The weight of an adult fox usually ranges from 3-4 to 6-7 kg.
• These animals never gather in packs, preferring to lead a solitary lifestyle.
• Thanks to their claws, foxes are excellent at climbing trees. They can even climb the walls of wooden buildings.
• They see better at night than during the day, so they prefer to hunt in the dark.
• Like many species of birds or turtles, foxes can navigate by the magnetic field of our planet.
• These animals are very curious.
• It is not uncommon for foxes to steal balls on golf courses. Where this particular passion for golf balls came from is unknown.
• In the 60s of the last century, domestic foxes were bred that were completely loyal to people, unlike their domesticated relatives.
• Arctic foxes living in the Arctic Circle, which also belong to these animals, are able to withstand frosts down to -70 degrees.
• Foxes live in a variety of countries, but the further south their habitat is located, the smaller they are.
• They live on every continent except Antarctica. In the 19th century, they were brought to Australia, where they had not existed before, and they multiplied there abundantly (facts about Australia).
• The species of foxes that live in cool climates temporarily acquire a family only in the summer, with the onset of warmer weather.
• Among all wild animals, they are most often, unfortunately, carriers of rabies.

• Special cells in fox eyes help double the brightness of the image. This is why they see so well at night.
• In captivity, a fox can live up to 25 years, while in nature the average lifespan of these animals is 6-7 years.
• The popular movie character Zorro in Russia would be called the Fox, since in Spanish “zorro” is “fox”.
• In Japan, light rain in sunny weather, called mushroom rain in Russia, is called fox rain (facts about Japan).
• Foxes wrap their furry tail around them when they sleep, using it as a blanket to help them stay warm.
• While running, these animals are capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 km/h.
• Two-thirds of a fox's diet consists of mice and other small rodents (Mice Facts).
• There are 11 species of foxes in the world.
• The depth of a fox hole can reach three meters. Moreover, they do not like to dig them themselves, preferring to occupy the holes of badgers, porcupines and other animals, waiting for the absence of the owners.
• They are able to hear the movement of a mouse under a meter layer of snow.
• The smallest of the foxes are fennec foxes, or desert foxes. Their weight usually does not exceed one and a half kg.
• These animals are capable of running non-stop all night long.