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The Fox: Sionnach.

 

Formerly an unwelcome nocturnal woodland creature, he is now a welcomed source of wildlife in the cities. There are two groups:

1. The resident fox living for a long period in the same patch and their territory marked.

2. The traveller fox in search of new territory and more vulnerable to attack. His habits remain illusive despite the use of sophisticated radio tacking.

In children's stories, they are often depicted as solitary animals, however, they are adaptable and can cohabit happily in a group. A single dog fox many cohabit with several vixen, these many be mother, daughter or sister covering the same hunting ground at night though travelling alone. The eyes are best adapted for nocturnal hunting, its pointed ears are sensitive scanners and its sense of smell is strong as well as leaving behind a distinctive acrid smell of wine which is detectable by the keen observer. The teeth of a dead fox can be stained to give the age of the fox in a similar fashion to tree rings. 'As clever as a fox" is well merited and many tales are told such as the fox mimicking death amidst the carnage he inflicted on a group of hens. When the farmer came to inspect in the morning, he discarded the supposedly dead fox outdoors, a miraculous return from death was instantaneous.

In the frosty quite December nights, we frequently hear the eerie 'wow, wow, wow" piercing the night and being answered by a fluctuating call as the fox moves around. The vixen's cry is alarming, they also communicate with jekkering or clicketting; whines and whimpers are common in mating; bullying by dominant fox many occur but growling or snarling are not heard.

Frequently accused of taking newborn lambs, hens, baby rabbits, hare's, rats and small birds. It also eats field mice, insects, beetles, and blackberries. Carrion (meal of dead animals) and other mammals are taken if the opportunity arises. Surplus killing is engaged in. The distinctive criss-cross of tracks and a scuffed line formed by the bushy tail can be seen in the morning's frost covered ground. The distinctive urine smell, together with its droppings on a tuft of vegetation containing bone chips, insect shells, traces of fur and feather are markers of the fox. He mainly lives overground, frequently in furze cover and goes into his den when he is in danger. Here he uses and old badger's sett.


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