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Post by solargeek on May 12, 2015 3:55:19 GMT
Last 3-4 nights a smallish partly red fox (partly grey) comes up to our house and despite all the motion lights coming on, feasts on something underground. I am thinking it is grubs? He is in heaven. The lights do not bother him.
If he sees us inside watching (like 2 feet away!!!) he will go away for awhile but comes back. We have not gone out yet to scare him away.
So, questions:
Is this normal behavior for a fox?
We live 20 minutes from the middle of nowhere and there are plenty of spaces NOT near us to eat.
He does not seem loopy or vicious; he does go away.
Would a fox this small (2 feet long plus tail) attack our 65lb lab if she encountered it?
Any info is greatly appreciated.
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Post by feather on May 12, 2015 4:35:28 GMT
Solargeek, I don't have any answers. Coincidentally, a week or so ago, I was out watering in the yard mid day and a red fox wandered through our neighborhood, with people out all over the place. I've only seen a red fox twice now in the backyard in 30 years. It didn't seem bothered by us or the neighbors that were outside. We're in WI too.
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Post by paquebot on May 12, 2015 4:56:34 GMT
I'll bet that it's a gray rather than red. They're smaller than a red and have better nails to dig for food. They definitely would not bother any dog. If chased, they climb a tree. We have some in this city but few see them as they are mainly nocturnal.
Martin
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on May 12, 2015 7:12:54 GMT
A Fox that hasn't been shot at can be pretty docile.
I doubt it would attack anything much larger than itself unless it was protecting young.
If it's a Red Fox, the tip of the tail will be white, but it sounds more like a Gray Fox
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 12:09:39 GMT
Yea, that sounds like a gray. He won't bother your dog but he will be hard on any fowl, chickens, ducks etc.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 14:15:29 GMT
Our reds have black tipped tails, I have seen solid red tails as well.
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Post by susannah on May 12, 2015 14:38:04 GMT
I don't have any answers, Solargeek, because I rarely encounter foxes. But...that being said, after reading your post and Feather's, I'm wondering if we're having a bumper year for foxes in Wisconsin. Or at least in them showing their faces. A few weeks ago, I was walking down the road and met up with a red fox. Well, briefly. It saw me, froze, did a turning leap in mid-air and ran into the woods at warp speed. I told dh it reminded me of one of those cartoon characters the come to a screeching halt and flee. It was notable in that this was the first time I've ever seen a red fox up here. I know they're here, but I just have never ever seen one. And if anyone remembers my post a few weeks ago about city friends freaking out when they saw a "fox" - which was actually a SQUIRREL - what I saw was the real deal.  |
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on May 13, 2015 11:27:28 GMT
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Post by solargeek on May 13, 2015 12:39:28 GMT
YES that's the guy! He matches the picture perfectly (I am in Central WI). He has come back every other night like clock work. I am blind without my glasses and last night was determined to go scare him away so I ran out in my bathrobe and jammies and..... scared the daylights out of a huge RABBIT! hahaha -- guess I should have put my glasses on. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 13:12:50 GMT
There are sub species, I have two vixen pelts in the freezer and they are red, not salt and pepper like a gray, black feet and white belly and black tipped tail. I suppose they could maybe have some gray genetics, but Grays are supper rare in the area. If I ever get them mounted I'll post pictures. And again Ive seen all red tails. As far as hunting routine, they do prefer early morning and dusk, though I have noticed a change in behavior of mid day early afternoon hunting, I attribute that to the growing coyote population who also prefer that time slot and would happily make a meal of any smaller critter out and about. I have also seen some odd colored yotes. In nature nothing is absolute except I suppose your born a fox your a fox. |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 15:36:59 GMT
I found a pic of one with a black tipped tail, and I misspoke above a little in using subspecies as a descriptor should say color pase or mutation. Scroll down to "DNA studies to date" picture on right. homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/foxfurcolors.html |
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Post by feather on May 13, 2015 17:14:17 GMT
SolarGeek, I laughed.
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mary
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Post by mary on May 14, 2015 22:55:29 GMT
Grey foxes are omnivorous. One year I had one take all my garden corn. I assumed it was a raccoon taking it until I actually caught it in a trap. Then I read up on them. Seems they will also climb fruit trees and steal the fruit.
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on May 15, 2015 1:24:54 GMT
Grey foxes are omnivorous. One year I had one take all my garden corn. I assumed it was a raccoon taking it until I actually caught it in a trap. Then I read up on them. Seems they will also climb fruit trees and steal the fruit. One day while deer hunting I watched a Red Fox eating Persimmons off a blown-over tree |
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Post by Awnry Abe on May 15, 2015 3:24:58 GMT
Mowing pasture is one of the most boring, mundane things that I do on this grand homestead. On my very, very first mowing experience with my big blue Ford tractor and 15' mower, I had the company of a red fox that was running within 20' of the tractor and grabbing mice and bunnies that I scared up.
He was happy. I was happy for the company. I wish I could have more mowing encounters like that. Fox..coyote..deer...are all the same with that big, slow tractor--not bothered. But as soon as I alit, they vanish.
What you describe sounds like normal fox behavior to me. When they start raiding the chicken coop, I plug them. But short of that, they are an awesome animal to have around.
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Post by sandsuncritters on May 15, 2015 12:15:46 GMT
Me too! In His Love Mich |
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Post by sandsuncritters on May 15, 2015 12:22:02 GMT
Grey foxes are omnivorous. One year I had one take all my garden corn. I assumed it was a raccoon taking it until I actually caught it in a trap. Then I read up on them. Seems they will also climb fruit trees and steal the fruit. Yes they are, and will! Reds will also walk atop a fence and help themselves to grapes or other fruiting vines along their way. In some areas of Florida, new fox kits with baby coats may have light orangey coats with no white on chest or tail until their next coat comes in. Very splotchy looking at that point and they are often mistaken for housecats. In His Love Mich |
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Post by mogal on May 28, 2015 19:43:07 GMT
Had a red fox saunter right through the yard early one morning and turn towards a hen helping herself to sunflower seed spilled from the feeder. I flew out the back door screaming like a banshee with DH hollering at me to get a gun and shoot it. Well, if I'd gone for a gun, fox and family would have had chicken for breakfast. DH thought I gyrations and yelling were funny. I thought them effective as I haven't seen the fox since. The frustrating thing is that we have 3 Pyrs who were all asleep in the barn at that point. I made sure they came to the house and sniffed where the fox had been. They marked their territory and I hope that's why we have had no more visitations.
Now if I can get rid of the rabbits.
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Post by Rustaholic on May 29, 2015 1:03:56 GMT
SNIPNow if I can get rid of the rabbits.
The stinking rabbits are building up again so it is time for the coyotes to come back and eat them.
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Post by feather on May 29, 2015 1:08:39 GMT
Anyone want to go on a snipe hunt? Just asking.
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Post by feather on May 29, 2015 1:12:18 GMT
We could make some snipe jerky.
3 lbs of snipe
2 oz Worcestershire
6 oz soy sauce
2 T sugar
2 T salt
soak and then dry or smoke.
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Post by Rustaholic on May 29, 2015 1:22:12 GMT
We could make some snipe jerky. 3 lbs of snipe 2 oz Worcestershire 6 oz soy sauce 2 T sugar 2 T salt soak and then dry or smoke.
Yummy, smoked snipe.
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Post by feather on May 29, 2015 1:31:07 GMT
We could make some snipe jerky. 3 lbs of snipe 2 oz Worcestershire 6 oz soy sauce 2 T sugar 2 T salt soak and then dry or smoke.
Yummy, smoked snipe.
I'll work on that! Gotta love that smoked snipe. |
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