Foxes eat a wide range of foodstuffs. Their diet includes small mammals, birds (including eggs), reptiles, insects, earthworms, fruit, vegetables and carrion. In urban areas, about a third of their food is scavenged or deliberately provided by householders. Foxes readily store their food, usually by burying it in the ground. Although foxes are predominantly nocturnal, it is not unusual to see urban foxes out during the day.
Foxes can live for over 8 years, but this is rare; the average life span of foxes in towns is about 18 months. Most urban foxes are killed on the roads.
Problems with urban foxes
Domestic animals
Given the opportunity, foxes will kill small domestic pets and livestock such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens. Unlike many predators, foxes have the habit of killing more than they need to eat immediately. They may subsequently return for any uneaten corpses. Foxes are unlikely to be a danger to adult cats or dogs, although there are occasional reports of foxes fighting with a cat or small dog.
Spread of disease Foxes can carry a range of parasites
and diseases relevant to the health of domestic pets and people.
Despite this, there is scant evidence that foxes are actually an
important source of infection. Instead, domestic pets and particularly
dogs, which are susceptible to a similar range of diseases as foxes,
areprobably a much more important source of infection for humans. Foxes
(and dogs) carry a number of internal parasites. For people, the most
important are probably the roundworm (Toxocara canis) and Echinococcus,
which causes hydatid disease. These diseases are acquired by ingestion
of worm eggs passed in the droppings of an infected animal.
Foxes
are also susceptible to Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis), which can be
passed on to domestic pets and humans via contact with their urine. The
most commonly observed infection of foxes is sarcoptic mange. This is a
skin condition caused by a mite, resulting in extensive hair loss and
which can be fatal if not treated. Highly contagious among foxes, there
are few confirmed reports of mange beingpassed to dogs, although the
geographical distribution of the disease in the UK is very similar for
both dogs and foxes. Distemper has not been recorded in wild foxes in
this country. Britain is currently rabies-free, but in countries where rabies occurs, foxes can contract and pass on the disease.
Prevention of problems Dealing
with fox problems is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the
property where the problem occurs, and a realistic expectation of what
can be achieved is essential. Foxes are now established residents of
many urban areas and are likely to remain so. They are attracted to
gardens by the food and shelter that they offer. Furthermore, some
people enjoy seeing foxes in their gardens, and actively encourage them
by providing food. This may cause problems, and the interests of
neighbours should be considered. Unfortunately, there is no simple
solution to the problems that foxes cause. The most effective deterrent
is a suitable perimeter fence, but fox-proof fence can be expensive to
install and unsightly. There are however, a number of alternative
measures that will minimise, if not eliminate, fox problems.
Do not feed foxes, either intentionally or unintentionally. Ensure that foxes cannot access food
put out for other wildlife or pets. Make bird tables inaccessible for
foxes to climb onto, for example, by erecting a covered table at a
height of at least 1.5 m (5 feet). Always clear away spilt food from
under any bird feeder. These measures will also reduce the
vulnerability of feeding birds to predation by foxes. Store rubbish,
especially food waste (including composted waste), in fox-proof
containers made of materials such as metal or plastic. Ensure that
dustbin lids are secure, e.g. by having a clip-on lid or expanding
“bungie” straps which secure the lid, and avoid leaving rubbish sacks
unprotected. Clear away wind-fallen fruit. Provide secure, fox-proof accommodation for vulnerable pets and livestock, especially at night. Foxes can bite through ordinary chicken wire; welded mesh provides a much stronger alternative. Foxes
climb well, have strong jaws and are powerful diggers. They can be very
tenacious, especially when they have had a ‘taste’ of what is
available. Do not under-estimate the determination and intelligence of
a fox.
Health and safety Remove and dispose of all
fox, as well as dog and cat, droppings. Fox droppings are
distinguishable from those of a cat or dog by their musty odour and
often twisted shape. Do not handle droppings with bare hands and ensure
that children (and adults) always wash their hands after spending time
in the garden. Ensure that cats and dogs are regularly wormed and
are vaccinated against Weil’s disease. Should a problem with foxes
persist despite taking these precautions, you may wish to consider
installing fencing or using a chemical repellent.
Foxes as pets? Foxes
do not make good pets. Sometimes young cubs are found apparently
abandoned; these are best left alone as more often than not the vixen
is close by and will soon find them. Foxes are wild animals and, even
if hand-reared, readily revert to their wild habits. Few people have
the space to accommodate adult foxes adequately and, owing to their
territorial nature, it isvery difficult to release a hand-reared fox
into the wild.
Further information In England, further
advice on dealing with fox problems, as well as problems caused by
other mammals and birds can be obtained by contacting the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Wildlife Management
Team at: Address: Wildlife Administration Unit, Defra, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 6NJ Telephone: 0845 601 4523 (local rate) E-mail: A range of leaflets on wildlife topics is available online at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlifecountryside/vertebrates The
full text of the Hunting Act 2004 can be obtained from The Stationery
Office (Tel 0870 6005522) or from the HMSO website:
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk. In addition, a leaflet about the Act and a
short summary of its provisions are available from the Defra website
(www.defra.gov.uk) or the Defra publication centre (Tel: 0845 9556000).
