Foxes are one of the many peculiar yet fascinating organisms that populate this Earth. Best known for their brightly colored coats and bushy tails, these fuzzy creatures are a joy to see and experience. Here’s a few facts and trivia about them.

Hunting Habits 

Foxes are omnivores and opportunistic hunters. They’ll eat anything reasonably smaller than them and that’s easy to catch. Did you know that they use the magnetic field to aid them as they hunt? Foxes have an internal compass and prefer to pounce on prey along the northern axis, in which they’re more likely to make a kill. Their internal compass allows them to hunt prey even if they’re concealed under snow. 

Fun Fact: When a fox sneaks up on something to then pounce on it, it’s called mousing! 

Friends & Foes 

Although foxes live in small groups, also known as a skulk, they prefer to spend most of their time alone. A skulk typically includes a mother and around six cubs. The cubs stay with their parents for around three months, learning to hunt before leaving in September. After leaving the den, young foxes fend for themselves. They often fall prey to coyotes, which is why you’ll often see areas with them being void of foxes entirely. 

Fun Fact: Female foxes are called vixens. 

Mischief And Myth

Foxes are infamous for their mischievous reputation and various depictions in mythology. Their reputation mostly stems from their history of getting into places they aren’t supposed to be in, like farms to eat crops or chicken coops to steal eggs, and being great escape artists. They were, and still are, characterized to be cunning and deceiving.

Fun Fact: Foxes love to play! They even have a tendency to steal golf balls from courses to play with. 

Oliver Sprout

Oliver Sprout is based on the red fox — also known as Vulpes vulpes. It’s one of the most widely distributed members of the order Carnivora and is even found here in Virginia. The reason I chose a fox in particular is because they’re known for being quite curious, silly, and whimsical in nature. Their mischievous reputation was perfect for Oliver’s character. 

So far, you’ve heard about how silly and lovable foxes are. So much so to the point you might even be considering owning one, but before you dwell on that thought any longer…

Foxes Aren’t Good Pets! Here’s Why:

It’s illegal to own a fox in every state but fifteen, Virginia being one of them. Even then, you need a special permit to house a fox. 

Let’s say you’ve obtained this permit and are able to adopt a fox… Get ready to become a social outcast because you will smell horrible and you will never be able to get the stench off. Foxes mark their territory and assert dominance with their urine, as many other canids do, and it’s nearly impossible to clean using traditional methods. The best way to get rid of it is to use a biological mixing powder with hot water over the span of multiple days. Fox urine is also toxic, and can cause mild irritation if inhaled, or if it makes contact with your skin.

Foxes are incredibly loud. They communicate through barks and screams to confirm their territory, gekker during play-fights, and tend to howl or yelp whenever they feel like it. You’d need to live in a secluded area to accommodate the noise and their need to run around. A minimum of a hundred and fifty square feet is required per fox, but a larger space is ideal for peak happiness. There also needs to be a concrete solid base or a fence sunk at least three feet into the ground to prevent them from escaping as foxes love digging and are elaborate escape artists. 

All of this will cost money. Just adopting a fox could cost you anywhere from five hundred to three hundred dollars. The costs for enrichment, general care, medical care, and housing over a fox’s lifetime can be upwards of twenty thousand dollars. 

If you’re still determined to adopt and take care of a fox then it’s advised to do your own research. Remember that taking care of a fox is unlike caring for a cat or a dog, as they’re unique creatures that require specialized equipment and training to be manageable. 

All things considered, foxes are lovely animals full of whimsy. But like all wild animals, it’s better to appreciate their silly antics from afar.