- Size: Up to 35-50 cm high (the size of a small dog)
- Weight: Up to 2-10 kg
- Lifespan: 4-5 years
- Food: Mice, rabbits, fruit
- Enemies: Bears, eagles
- Habitat: Forests, meadows, sometimes cities
- Special features: Red fur, white muzzle and chest, bushy tail
What does a fox look like?
Foxes are small predators. They have beautiful red fur, a white belly and a white muzzle. Their tails are long and bushy, which helps them to keep their balance when running and jumping.
Where do foxes live?
Foxes live in forests, meadows or even in cities. They are quite adaptable and can find a place to live anywhere. Their territory is very large – sometimes as big as many football pitches.
What do foxes eat?
Foxes are omnivores. They eat small animals such as mice or rabbits, but also berries and apples. In cities, they also search through garbage cans for food.
How do foxes live?
Foxes are mainly active at night. They usually hunt alone, but they live in small families that consist of a male, a female (vixen) and their cubs.
What are foxes particularly good at?
- Jumping: foxes can jump over fences that are more than 2 meters high.
- Swimming: foxes are very good swimmers.
- Climbing: foxes can climb up walls and fences, but they don't like climbing trees.
What do foxes do when they are afraid?
Foxes have many different sounds. They bark, yell and cackle to communicate. When they are afraid, they usually flee.
How do foxes have babies?
Foxes have babies once a year, usually in the winter. The little foxes are born in a burrow underground. After a few weeks, they can eat solid food and walk around.
Are foxes dangerous?
Foxes are not usually dangerous. They are shy and tend to avoid people. Only when they are sick (e.g. with rabies) can they behave differently. But that rarely happens.
Foxes' enemies
Foxes have few enemies. Bears and eagles can hunt them. But humans are their biggest enemy because foxes are often hunted.
Why are foxes important?
Foxes help to keep the number of mice and other small animals in check. They also help new plants to grow by spreading seeds.
Foxes as pets
Foxes are not good pets. They are wild animals and need a lot of space and freedom. In many countries, it is forbidden to keep a fox as a pet.
Foxes are really clever animals and play an important role in nature!
What ammunition is used on foxes?
When hunting foxes, special ammunition is usually used that is suitable for hunting smaller animals like foxes. In Germany, it is common to hunt foxes with the following types of ammunition:
Bullet cartridges:
- .22 LR (Long Rifle): This ammunition is well suited for fox hunting because it has low penetration and is accurate. It is often used when hunting foxes at close range when hunting with a small-bore rifle.
- .223 Remington caliber: Used for fox hunting with larger calibers. These cartridges are well suited for hunting foxes at medium distances.
Shotgun shells:
- Shot size 2-4 (12 or 16 caliber): Shot is often used for hunting foxes with shotguns. Shot is particularly suitable when the fox is close by, as it has a wide spread, thus increasing the chance of hitting the target.
The choice of ammunition depends on the particular hunting situation, the distance to the target and the type of rifle used. The ammunition should be chosen so that the fox is killed quickly and humanely, without causing unnecessary suffering.