THE FOX
(Vulpes vulpes)
What do foxes look like?
Russet-red fur, pointed ears and a bushy tail make the fox unmistakable. Often smaller than people imagine, they typically weigh 5–8 kg and stand around 40cm at the shoulder.
What do foxes eat?
Foxes are opportunistic omnivores and this allows them to survive in a wide range of habitats. Rabbits and field voles are common prey, but a fox’s diet can include everything from worms and beetles to deer fawns and fruit. Urban foxes still hunt live prey, but will also take advantage of any food discarded by people.
Where do foxes live?
Foxes are found throughout the UK and can survive in most habitats. The number of foxes in an area varies depending on the amount of food available. In urban areas, where food is often plentiful, a fox’s territory may be as small as 25 hectares. In upland Scotland, where food is much harder to come by, a territory could be as large as 4,000 hectares.
Signs and spotting tips
Foxes are present in most of our woods, but your best chance of seeing one may well be in a town or city. Urban foxes often become accustomed to humans, allowing you to get good views. Rural foxes tend to be much warier and are harder to see. Foxes are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk, but it is not unusual to see them during the day, especially in urban areas.
Even if you don’t spot a fox on a woodland walk, you may see signs of their presence. Fox poo, known as scat, is often deposited on footpaths and prominent spots such as molehills and rocks. It is normally twisted and will contain remains of the fox’s food, such as fur and bones.
Find out more about The Fox over at The Woodland Trust Website..
Fox (Vulpes vulpes) - British Mammals - Woodland Trust
Exploring Foxes with the Children ...
- Explore the colours orange and red
- Explore soft and furry textures
- Read stories with foxes in or about foxes
- Take a woodland walk and see if you can find signs that a fox has been there
- Paint foxes or draw foxes
- Make foxes out of playdough
- Make dens
- Create hand print foxes
- Explore the anatomy of a fox
- Make fox masks
- Explore 'F' and the sound it makes - can you find matching sounds
- Woodland small world play
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