Introduction
Image Source: Pixabay
Almost found everywhere in the world, foxes are one of the most beautiful omnivores. Belonging to the dog family, foxes have a lot in common with cats.
Foxes live all around the world in many diverse conditions like forests, grassland, mountain, desert, glaciers. They are most widespread species of wild dog in the world. There are 21 species of fox.
Image Source: Pixabay
A male is called dog, while female is called vixen.
Foxes are solitary animals, and unlike their relatives, they don't hunt in packs but alone. But when raising their young ones, they live in small families called a leash of foxes or skulk of foxes.
Vixen are occasionally assisted by their sisters or a cub from previous litter in rearing new born cubs, while males provide food for family. Cubs do not open eyes and ears until four weeks after birth, so vixens take care of them all the time.
Image Source: Pixabay
A fox is a little bigger than cat, have an average life span of 4-5 years. They have an amazing hearing sense, can hear easily up to 40 yards and can run at a speed of 30 miles per hour.
Foxes, although related to dog and wolves, have some features common to cats. Like one type of fox called grey fox can retract its claws like cats. They also have vertical pupils like cat instead of round pupils like dogs have.
Image Source: Pixabay
They also hunt like cat, they often stalk and play with their prey before killing it. They mostly surprise their prey by getting close and pouncing on it just like cats. They are nocturnal and often hunt at night.
Foxes have small stomach so they have to eat a lot of times in a day. Their favourite prey is rodent, but they also hunt rabbits and squirrels.
Foxes have whiskers on their legs and faces which help them to navigate.
Foxes dig underground holes or pits called den, where they can hide, give birth to kits and also store their food.
The red fox resourcefulness has earned entire fox species reputation of being sly and cunning.
Image Source: Pixabay
Fox hunting is a very cruel sport, where a person riding on a horse followed by a group of dogs hunts foxes. Either the dog injures and kills fox or it is shot by the human. Although it is banned in some countries now, it is still enjoyed a lot in America, Australia and many other parts of the world.
Foxes have very fine skin so they are kept captive to be killed for their skin.
Image Source: Pexels
