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Facts
The red fox is dog-like in appearance with a long, pointed muzzle and a long, bushy tail. The color of the fur on it's back is a dark reddish yellow. The tail is also reddish yellow but also mixed with black and tipped in white.
The gray fox is similar to the red fox, but is grey in appearance and has a slightly smaller build
Both species of foxes are 35 to 44 inches in length. Although the red fox is slightly heavier than the grey foxes, both can get up to 15 pounds.
Red foxes prefer open country with moderate cover. Grey foxes prefer denser cover such as thickets and forests.
Foxes are mainly nocturnal animals. They are most active in the early morning hours and during the early hours of darkness. They are very fast animals and usually catch their prey by outrunnng them. The fox has a very keen sense of sight, hearing and smell. Being predators, they use their senses to stalk their prey with stealth and patience.
Foxes are usually wary of humans and live in ground burrows, wood piles, rocky outcroppings and hollow trees.
Carnivores, the fox usually preys upon rabbits, mice, birds, eggs and insects. They can occasionally feed on fawns, pigs, lambs and poultry.
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Signs
Sometimes the only detectable sign of the presence of a fox is it's footprint. Because they are so fast and wary of humans, they are seldom seen.
Most times the fox will either bury thier prey somewhere or remove it from where it was killed.
Often times it is difficult to assess the damage done by a fox. They are especially harmful to poultry producers because they usually only take one victim at a time and uaually take the dead carcass away with them. Consequently, those whom have experienced damage caused by a fox might not notice the depredation until many raids have taken place.
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Trapping Tips
Good baits for a fox are: whole animal carcasses like chickens or rabbits. Commercial fox lure can add to the effectiveness of a cage trap.
- Cage traps for a fox should be thoroughly concealed and need to be handled with a gloved hand.
- Special care should be taken so as not to leave human scent in the area where the cage trap is set.
Taking advantage of the fox's curiosity about hidden food is a good way to attract them.
- Dig a hole about 6 inches in diameter and around 10 inches
deep. In this hole bury some slightly spoiled meat being certain
to leave a little bit exposed. Put a bit of commercial fox lure
or bait in the hole.
- Place the cage trap over the hole so that the rear of the trap
covers the actual hole itself. You do this so the fox will have
to walk into the trap to get a look at the hole.