Completely random question about foxes

[HealyMonster]

Hey guys,

With all the people we have here at OS, perhaps there is someone who knows alot about animals.

I have a fox that lives in/around my back yard. Never had any issues and Ive grown quite fond of watching him run around and do what he does.

My question is can I like put food out for him? I know its typically a stupid question to ask if you should feed wild animals but I read up on foxes and I havent seen anything that leads me to believe the fox would harm me or attack me or something, and it is a really small fox.

Im an animal lover and idk, Id like to throw this thing a treat or something. It looks like a dog, but it like lives outside and its life must stink.

Anyone mess with foxes or interact with them?

[Bullit]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

My first question is do you have your own pets or children that go out in the same yard. If the answer to either is yes, then no do not feed the fox. Being a wild animal if it find a food source and then that food source appears to be threatened by another animal it could attack.

The other problem is rabies or any other animal virus that could be transmitted to your pets or the fox. As this could make either animal sick, maybe even fatally so, I would advise against it.

If the answer is no, then it is a judgement call. I used to put out a small bowl of food for a female Raccoon who was pregnant and then for the babies. I had no issues with them or other animals in the area. But this was way out in the country, and I mean way out in the sticks, so it was a little different.

So take all of those factors into account and use your best judgement on the situation. You would know better if feeding the fox would pose a risk to you or just as importantly the animal itself.

[HealyMonster]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

I didnt even think of that. I know they "know each other" cause I live in a really open area, I have 3 acres that backs up right to a huge farm that is preserved land and the fox is all over it. My dog goes out there and is always trying to chase the fox down along with the thousands of deer and all everything.

whats even more odd is the deer really arent afraid of my dog anymore and Ive seen the fox run through a crowd of deer and the deer didn't move.

I guess if I wanted to feed him I would have to do it outside of the area my dog goes to when hes outside. I def wouldn't want to jeopardize my dogs health for a fox.

thanks for that info.

[fistofrage]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

I wouldn't feed it or it could become dependent on your food. And being a member of the dog family, they become dependent really quick when interacting with humans.

I saw a show on the Russian Black Fox. They captured two wild ones, let them breed and within a few months had a domesticated animal, much like a terrier. Within 2 generations, the fox actually started to physically change, pretty soon you wiould have a new breed of dog.

I also belonged to a golf club that had Foxes that made a den in the fairway bunker of the 2nd hole. People overfed them with Hotdogs and sandwiches. They would come pretty close and weren't really scared of humans. They didn't come back the next Spring. My fear was that they lost their ability to hunt and starved. I really enjoyed watching them run the fairways.

[55]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

...but it like lives outside and its life must stink.

As opposed to all the foxes downtown that have their own apartments?

[HealyMonster]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

As opposed to all the foxes downtown that have their own apartments?

exactly, along with the ones who hog the carpool lane when theres only one of them driving. lol

[PVarck31]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

Do not feed him. Like Bullit said if you have animals or kids its a bad idea. A fox really has no problem finding food. He will eat small rodents and plants. So no need to feed him. It will only keep him closer to your house.

[e0820]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

Hey guys,

With all the people we have here at OS, perhaps there is someone who knows alot about animals.

I have a fox that lives in/around my back yard. Never had any issues and Ive grown quite fond of watching him run around and do what he does.

My question is can I like put food out for him? I know its typically a stupid question to ask if you should feed wild animals but I read up on foxes and I havent seen anything that leads me to believe the fox would harm me or attack me or something, and it is a really small fox.

Im an animal lover and idk, Id like to throw this thing a treat or something. It looks like a dog, but it like lives outside and its life must stink.

Anyone mess with foxes or interact with them?

If you want him to leave dont feed him. I think they are nocturnil so if you leave food no gaurantee that the fox will get the food. I wouldnt get to chummy with one.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

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[HealyMonster]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

If you want him to leave dont feed him. I think they are nocturnil so if you leave food no gaurantee that the fox will get the food. I wouldnt get to chummy with one.

I def. dont want him to leave, I think its pretty cool hes living here. Ive seen him on my back deck before real early in the morning and every time I try to go greet it, I cant even get to my back door before it takes off. Its real small, looks exactly like the one jumping over that dog.

With that being said, I dont think I would try and feed him. I dont think the fox and my dog would play around like that video, plus the fox is just scared of everything so it wouldnt come around when my dog is around. I def wouldnt want it slife shortened because it depends on me for food.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

Just make sure you do not have any cats that go outside.

They are a tasty treat for the Fox. I see a lot of them on the side of the roads, patrolling people's back yards, as well as deer, black bear, bobcat and coyote.

I live in a more woodsy town with lot of protected forest, and I see people post missing cat signs, I feel bad, but knowing the coyote and fox everywhere here, chances are kitty been a delicacy.

[e0820]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

I see a lot of them on the side of the roads, patrolling people's back yards, as well as deer, black bear, bobcat and coyote.

I live in a more woodsy town with lot of protected forest,

Geez what kind of scary a** neighborhood do you live in? j/k

[WyxHarmon]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

I've never laughed harder at a thread title.

Don't feed it, bro.

[Blzer]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

We have the same thing with squirrels. We would feed them, but they would probably leave too many nuts in our yard and I'm allergic to them (peanuts, that is). They are so adorable, though.

[Scottdau]

Re: Completely random question about foxes

Get rid of the Fox.