What Happens When Foxes Become Your Next-Door Neighbors?

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SUMMARY

A family of foxes has taken residence under a neighbor's shed, with sightings reported during early mornings and evenings. The discussion highlights the presence of three kits and their interactions with local wildlife, particularly squirrels. Participants share personal experiences with foxes, noting their adaptability to urban environments and the benefits they may bring in controlling local rodent populations. The conversation also touches on the visual appeal of the foxes and the humorous observations made by community members.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of urban wildlife behavior
  • Familiarity with local fauna, specifically Canidae family members
  • Knowledge of wildlife photography techniques
  • Awareness of community wildlife management practices
NEXT STEPS
  • Research urban wildlife adaptation strategies
  • Learn about the ecological role of foxes in urban settings
  • Explore wildlife photography tips for capturing animals in natural habitats
  • Investigate local regulations regarding wildlife interactions and management
USEFUL FOR

Wildlife enthusiasts, urban ecologists, photographers, and community members interested in understanding and coexisting with local wildlife populations.

BobG
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A family of foxes have taken up residence under a neighbor's shed. They've been out early in the morning or in the evening and I was able to get somewhat of a shot of them. Today they were out when there was more light.

This is either mommy or daddy:
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/9114/dscn0466wj0.jpg

Two of the three kits:
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/381/dscn0475atx7.jpg

The third joins in the fun:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/8576/dscn0478aow1.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4797/dscn0480awx7.jpg

The pacifist of the family:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7835/dscn0481bvk1.jpg

Mmmm, squirrel!
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/592/dscn0494ano0.jpg

Where is Fred anyway? Why don't he write?
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/751/dscn0486ate9.jpg
 
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Cool!
 
Oh, adorable! I've never gotten to see fox kits up close like that. I guess you won't have to worry about the rabbits and squirrels eating the garden this summer. :rolleyes:

Are foxes common in your area, or is this an unusual event to have the pleasure of kits in the yard?
 
The kits are adorable, I also have Foxes on my up north land. They are so fun to watch, interesting how they have adapted to your city-scape.
We have ground hogs here as neighbors, and they brought their friends, the fleas and ticks.
 
Yes double cool, i saw a lovely fox two days ago, he wernt in no hurry and looked directly at me as i motored past, made my day.
 
Moonbear said:
Oh, adorable! I've never gotten to see fox kits up close like that. I guess you won't have to worry about the rabbits and squirrels eating the garden this summer. :rolleyes:

Are foxes common in your area, or is this an unusual event to have the pleasure of kits in the yard?

They're pretty common in the neighborhood, although it could be the same couple. I've run across one of them on early morning walks with the dog and I've see one once in a while on my drive to work.

This is the first time I've seen kits, though. Within just a few blocks, there's areas where they probably wouldn't get bothered by barking dogs every morning. Although, the adult foxes seem more amused by Zoie than anything else. They've figured out the fence and know she can't jump it.

And nothing keeps the squirrels under control around here. Having the foxes hang around the back yard might be a good thing. Maybe it'll thin the squirrels out a little, although I'm not sure how good a fox is at catching squirrels on a regular basis. A dog sure can't catch one.
 
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Wonderful pictures BobG. We have all sorts of fox food around here - just not foxes.

We had a kit in the back yard along time ago, be we found a rehabilitator to take it since we didn't know if the mom would return to claim it.
 
Even the mature one is cute!
 
JasonRox said:
Even the mature one is cute!

I thought she was more pretty than cute...in a long legged, skinny supermodel sort of way. :biggrin:
 
  • #10
Moonbear said:
I thought she was more pretty than cute...in a long legged, skinny supermodel sort of way. :biggrin:
Foxy lady! :smile:
 
  • #11
Astronuc said:
Foxy lady! :smile:

:smile:

Now, let's not make anorexic foxes!
 
  • #12
Adorable! That is so cool! I hope people don't try to get rid of them like what usually happens at my parents place.
 
  • #13
That first picture is cracked out. The fox is standing on the fence, on like two feet, just looks weird to me. So, do they make much noise? Cool BTW
 
  • #14
I thought some hot babes had moved in when I saw the title!

Very cool pics, Bob! The kits are adorable.
 
  • #15
binzing said:
That first picture is cracked out. The fox is standing on the fence, on like two feet, just looks weird to me. So, do they make much noise? Cool BTW

It's an illusion. There's another post between the fences that she has her other two feet on, it just blends in well with the fence in the photo.

How many fences ARE there though? I see a chain link fence, then two wooden fences, then another one or two chain link fences and more wooden fences. Neighbor dispute? :rolleyes:
 
  • #16
although I'm not sure how good a fox is at catching squirrels on a regular basis. A dog sure can't catch one.

Most foxes can climb trees to some small degree. Their claws are 'half-way' between a dog and a cat. Out here gray foxes in the bosque in pretty much arboreal. It is odd to see what you think is a funny looking dog in a tree - at 55 mph. Then you realize it's a fox.
 
  • #17
if it can catch a squirrel, I'd say keep your kitty cat inside if you have one
 
  • #18
binzing said:
That first picture is cracked out. The fox is standing on the fence, on like two feet, just looks weird to me. So, do they make much noise? Cool BTW
They hardly make any noise at all. As long as they're not suffering from some disease and your trash is secure, they make pretty good neighbors.

Moonbear said:
It's an illusion. There's another post between the fences that she has her other two feet on, it just blends in well with the fence in the photo.

How many fences ARE there though? I see a chain link fence, then two wooden fences, then another one or two chain link fences and more wooden fences. Neighbor dispute? :rolleyes:

The number of fences is a little deceptive, too. The shed is near a corner, so the wooden fence is for one yard. As to why they and their next door neighbor also put tall chain link fences inside their wooden fence, I don't know. Maybe because most of the wooden fences are old and need some repairs each year. I've tried to figure out the history of the fences around here and really haven't been able to figure them out. My house was one of the last. I only have two front wooden sections on both sides of the house. The other three sides each belong to one of the neighbors with me having to plug a couple gaps at the corners.
 
  • #19
How cute! Great pictures.
I sometimes see foxes in the fields near my parents' house. They're a tad shyer than yours it seems. They run and hide as soon as they catch sight of you.
 
  • #20
I'll have to see if I can catch these guys again when there's enough light. There's only two now, but they're getting bigger and disappear for over a week at a time (in fact, I was beginning to think they'd left for good).

I think they could be staying next door for a while. They seem to have started a newspaper subscription. In fact, some mornings they have two or three newspapers outside their shed.

Either that or the news in my neighborhood is particularly slow (makes it easier to catch).
 
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  • #21
The municipal golf course in Waterville often has kits playing while their mothers hunt. You have to watch where your ball went, because they'll dash out and steal it, and it's considered OK to take a drop at the approximate location.
 
  • #22
Very nice shots!

I never looked at this thread because I thought it was about some cute girls that had moved in. :biggrin:
 
  • #23
Ivan Seeking said:
Very nice shots!

I never looked at this thread because I thought it was about some cute girls that had moved in. :biggrin:

Funny, that was the very reason why I originally looked at it!

Canidae foxes are still OK though.:smile:
 
  • #24
Title of this thread said:
My new neighbors are foxes!

I'm reminded of Steve Martin and Dan Akroyd's "Wild and crazy guys" sketches on Saturday Night Live.