Last spring, there was a den of foxes about 100 meters outside my backdoor. We've seen a couple of foxes wandering around the woods behind our house this winter, and then today, I saw a fox soaking up the sun on last year's den.
So, I'm hoping to anticipate their behavior this year - although, one data point doesn't mean that they're coming back. Does anyone know of a good resource on fox biology, particularly if it's a more midwestern (Wisconsin) orientation? Phil, is this something that would be relatively easy for you?
I'd like to know more about when I might expect kits to be born, how long they hang around the den, active/inactive periods, etc. Also, are they prone to using the same den as in previous years. Last year, the kits seemed to be most active first thing in the morning and then late afternoon/just before sunset, which makes some sense. I was able to observe them for a couple of weeks, off & on, but there came a point where they got too big for their den and the vixen moved on with them AND/OR they were receiving too much human attention (this den is only about 20 meters from a moderately traveled road, and before the grass really grew around the den, it was pretty easy to see 'em).
I did a quick google search, but nothing appropriate really jumped out in the first couple of pages...
Thanks all,
Tim!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on March 26, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Tim..see if you can get in touch with someone at the WI DNR (Department of Natural Resources). I'm sure they'll be glad to help you with info regarding the behavior of foxes.
Hey, Toni, I checked the WDNR site and did find a reference that's more designed for kids. But, it says that kits hatch in mid-March, so maybe the vixen was taking a break this noon, which might mean that they're already there!!!
Tim!
Posted by Toni Lankerd on March 26, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Yeah! Good to hear it, Tim..thanks for the update! Now let's see if you can get a few images of the kits.
I should add...get a few images of the kits without disturbing or distressing any of the foxes. :)
Tim
The person you want to talk to is Scott Craven, UW-Extension Wildlife Ecologist. He appears the 1st Wednesday of month with Larry Meiller on Wisconsin Public Radio from 11 to 12:30. It might be fun to call the program and see what Scott has to say. If not you can contact him at srcraven@wisc.edu.
Discussion
6 repliesLast spring, there was a den of foxes about 100 meters outside my backdoor. We've seen a couple of foxes wandering around the woods behind our house this winter, and then today, I saw a fox soaking up the sun on last year's den.
So, I'm hoping to anticipate their behavior this year - although, one data point doesn't mean that they're coming back. Does anyone know of a good resource on fox biology, particularly if it's a more midwestern (Wisconsin) orientation? Phil, is this something that would be relatively easy for you?
I'd like to know more about when I might expect kits to be born, how long they hang around the den, active/inactive periods, etc. Also, are they prone to using the same den as in previous years. Last year, the kits seemed to be most active first thing in the morning and then late afternoon/just before sunset, which makes some sense. I was able to observe them for a couple of weeks, off & on, but there came a point where they got too big for their den and the vixen moved on with them AND/OR they were receiving too much human attention (this den is only about 20 meters from a moderately traveled road, and before the grass really grew around the den, it was pretty easy to see 'em).
I did a quick google search, but nothing appropriate really jumped out in the first couple of pages...
Thanks all,
Tim!
;)
Tim!
Tim!
I should add...get a few images of the kits without disturbing or distressing any of the foxes. :)
The person you want to talk to is Scott Craven, UW-Extension Wildlife Ecologist. He appears the 1st Wednesday of month with Larry Meiller on Wisconsin Public Radio from 11 to 12:30. It might be fun to call the program and see what Scott has to say. If not you can contact him at srcraven@wisc.edu.
Phil