The fox is one of the most numerous animals on the planet. Some species are common in the northern latitudes, for others, the halo of habitat is warm edges. In the middle lane, this animal is extremely common.
A very interesting question is what is the life span of a fox. But both the diet and the habits of this amazing animal, many have not quite the right idea.
The red-haired beauty cannot but like!
In different climatic zones various subspecies of foxes live. In total there are more than fifty of them. They all differ in color and size.
Such a tendency was noticed: the closer to the south, the smaller this animal, and the color of its fur is more dull. Closer to the north is the larger wild fox. Her skin is already much brighter than that of the southern subspecies. True, the polar fox living in the tundra zone is distinguished by completely white fur. But this species belongs to the Arctic foxes, so this seems to be a different story.
In the middle zone, the most common red fox. This is the largest subspecies. Some individuals reach a length of up to 1 m. And yet there is an almost sixty-centimeter magnificent beautiful tail!
In the cold season, the animal is covered with fluffy and long fur, molting occurs in the spring, after which the predator's pile becomes less dense and much shorter than winter. A redhead appears in the fur color.
The heroine of folklore Patrikeevna in person!
How many foxes live on the planet next to us, so many people compose all kinds of fables about her. She is a liar, and a vile nature, and an insidious seducer, and a traitor. Whatever fairy tale you take, everywhere Patrikeevna acts as a negative character.
It seems that such a fame was entrenched in the fox because of its cunning. She very skillfully knows how to avoid trouble - to catch an adult beast is difficult enough. A lot of skill and mind should be applied to the hunter, so that this red-haired beauty became his prey.
Now, if people were like foxes ...
Meanwhile, like wolves, these animals only once choose their life partner. Being caring parents, males together with females raise offspring. Moreover, foxes begin to patronize their spouse at the stage of pregnancy. They dig a hole for the whole family, landscaping it. The manifestation of the tender care of the future father in relation to his girlfriend is simply touching! He even catches fleas from her so that mommy can be calmer.
And if suddenly a young mother is left, by tragic accident, without a breadwinner, male bachelors even fight for the right to become the stepfather of orphans. And about the fact that to abandon a girlfriend and to spread to another fox, younger and more snobbish, there can be no question. Do not abandon the foxes of their spouses, do not leave children without guardianship.
So, as long as the fox lives, it suffers from injustice from people as much as he hears gossip to himself and slander. And people should have learned a lot from her.
Fox lifespan
It is known that this animal belongs to the canine family, that is, it is a close relative of the dog. Actually, they bark like dogs, and are similar in appearance and size. And the lifestyle of these animals is extremely similar. Therefore, the life expectancy of a fox should be similar to a dog.
But not everything obeys logic. Dogs live from six to seventeen years, depending on the breed. Their living conditions also play an important role. But the fox in nature most often lives no more than three years. Five-year-old foxes are sometimes found. And very rarely are individuals who have survived to seven years.
But at home, the life expectancy of a fox will surprise even an experienced dog handler. It turns out that the red-haired beauty, with proper care, survives to a quarter of a century!
Fox diet
Talking about what these predators prefer to eat, most people will argue that they are hares. And they will be wrong. Of course, foxes are not abandoned by hare. But preference is given to small rodents. Mousing is a favorite pastime for foxes. And only some individuals prey on the rabbit hunt. Particularly large predators can even attack roe deer cubs. But no subspecies of the fox will refuse the birds.
Eggs are also a tidbit for a predator. Although foxes do not disdain carrion in the feedless environment, according to eyewitnesses. And in deserts and semi-deserts, lizards and other reptiles make up the lion's share of their diet. In Canada, and in northeastern Eurasia, fishermen live in large numbers.
And few people know that insects and their larvae are the summer delicacy for red cheats. And surely the menu of every self-respecting chanterelle includes fruits, berries and fruits - vitamins are needed for the mind and growth!
Of course, it is completely impossible to replace animal food with vegetable, this type of nutrition is not so significant. But the fox cannot do without him. Sometimes she even eats the vegetative parts of plants. It is known that fox raids during the period of milk ripeness of cereals cause huge damage to oat crops.
Now no one will argue that the fox is an insidious and evil eater of defenseless bunnies, and therefore will not spread the word about fox treachery and betrayal either.