Can a Fox Cub Ever be Tamed?

snowhound · #1 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 12:00 AM

I was told by someone who was a year off completing a marine biology degree that if an abandoned fox cub were ever to be reared by a human, it would never be tamed. When I asked how come, he said it was inherent in the fox as a breed. Is this true as I find it hard to believe? Maybe some zoologists and/or fox experts out there may be able to clarify this one for me.

Thanks, Snowhound

Blackbrook Eye · #2 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 01:42 AM

I am neither a marine biologist or a zoologist or for that matter an expert on foxes, but I can say from personal experience, that I know of several instances, where foxes have been kept as pets very successfully, in one instance, a young chap in the village used to take his to the local pub most nights of the week, and to my knowledge it was never a problem, as to whether it could be called 'tame' I have to pass, what constitutes tame ?

tufftie · #3 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 07:15 AM

I've heard of orphaned fox cubs being kept successfully as pets too. I thought it meant just to lose shyness of humans and to become domesticated - which I understand these ones are? Whether it's a good idea to domesticate a fox is another matter - rather than look after it with a planned release in mind?

demicav · #4 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 07:53 AM

I've heard a tale of a man not far from me that had a Fox as a pet and he used to walk it around on a lead. This was a while back.

C C · #5 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 09:40 AM

There was one kept as a pet a few gardens down from me. And it was a menace, it showed no fear of anything. It would attack Dogs and Cats that got to near his garden. And the people where still allowed to keep it? and it lived to an impressive age.

There was a bloke in Yorkshire,( may be a bit mixed up here-) John Mogg / The Saw Mill Ratcater, he would use a Team of Fox, Cat and Terrior to controll Rats. They would even make their way back home when they got lost..Fox that is.

Ps. I think John was the breeder of the original Moggy

epops · #6 (**permalink**) 23-12-2007, 10:42 AM

we had one yaers ago when we lived on the farm mum used to walk it on a lead but it was never really tame as in like a dog but me uncle had one that was silly tame even used to followhim about the farm without a lead and never tried to run away they were both from a litter that was under an old tree that was blown over and the parents were never seen about so dad and his bro decided to hand rear them

snowhound · #7 (**permalink**) 24-12-2007, 01:05 AM

Hi All, and thanks so much for answering my question. I had always thought it would be possible. Not that I'm thinking of adopting one (already have one very large dog and six cats!) but was something I was curious about.

So glad I joined this site as there is just such a wealth of knowledge and experience out there. Thanks again and festive greetings to all WABers!

Cheers, Snowhound

Marineboy · #8 (**permalink**) 26-12-2007, 06:21 PM

Just thought I would add this to the thread - I know of a family home in London that has for years had a wild fox that has become used to human contact. And this IS a wild fox we are talking about. It even curls up and goes to sleep IN THE LIVING ROOM!
This last year it brought its cubs with it too. Maybe it sees this house as an easy meal station, but isnt that a fantastic thing to have turn up at you chair as you watch tv!
Also a long time ago I did see a man walking a fox out on a lead.
I am sure that like many species, if foxes are subject to favourable humanisation, then yes, they could and would become domesticated. After all, the common household dog had to have a beginning like this.
Nice to see foxes hunting in the fields too though!

naturelover · #9 (**permalink**) 26-12-2007, 06:35 PM

i think you can tame any animal or bird if you show it love and respect,after all every thing on this planet was wild once including us.

Cotham Marble · #10 (**permalink**) 26-12-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marineboy

After all, the common household dog had to have a beginning like this.

While foxes are canines they have a fundamentally different inate behaviour to the wolf ancestors of domestic dogs. The success of domesticating dogs lies in human's ability to arrogate the pack behaviour of wolves to human purpose - and from there to selectively breed behaviours of acceptance in progressive generations of dogs - primarily a process of neotonisation.

Foxes do have some exploitable behaviours based in family group co-operation, on balance though attempting domestication is at best unwise, at worst it could be foolhardy and cruel. IMO foxes are better off having a mistrust of humans, as any trust is likely misplaced.

CM