Watching Foxes - Vixen Question?

[tigger]

I watch the foxes every night. Does anyone know how soon the vixen will leave her cubs to go out hunting? I think the vixen under my shed had her young about 2 weeks ago. I'm sure I've seen her in the garden, or would she still be holed up with the cubs? are they too young to leave?

We have at least 3 other foxes in the garden, I'm presuming one is the father, and two are youngsters (female) from last year... who will help to feed the cubs as they grow.

Thanks

Jane

[Dogghound]

The female stays confined in the den for 2-5 days. She will stay close to the young until they are weaned at about 6 weeks old. They also need the mothers body heat for 2-3 weeks so she wont stray to far. Once weaned she will help the male hunt. The other foxes are likely to be none-breeding females and as you say will help in grooming, playing and feeding the young.

[tigger]

Thanks. That's why I think I've seen the vixen then. Plus the shed is smelling particularly pongy (as the den is underneath it). I can't wait to see the little balls of fluff. Last year the vixen had 5... quite a handful!

Jane

[Dogghound]

5 Is a very good litter size, hopefully it will be the same again.

[demicav]

Originally Posted by tigger

I watch the foxes every night. Does anyone know how soon the vixen will leave her cubs to go out hunting? I think the vixen under my shed had her young about 2 weeks ago. I'm sure I've seen her in the garden, or would she still be holed up with the cubs? are they too young to leave?

We have at least 3 other foxes in the garden, I'm presuming one is the father, and two are youngsters (female) from last year... who will help to feed the cubs as they grow.

Thanks

Jane

Sounds wonderful having them so close like that.

[tigger]

The year before that it was only 2 cubs... I wonder what she has produced this year! In a few weeks I should be able to tell you. Hope to post some pictures and videos for you to see. Fingers crossed.

Jane

[Dogghound]

Litter size is usually 4-5, possibly she was only a young female the first year and not experienced or healthy enough. Incidentally i think the record for the maximum litter size is 12 foetuses found in a female.

[tigger]

Oh god, I hope she hasn't had that many! My garden will look like a bomb-site...

Jane

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by tigger

Oh god, I hope she hasn't had that many! My garden will look like a bomb-site...

Jane

It would be extremely rare for a female to give birth to that many and even rarer for them to all survive. so i would worry to much

[tigger]

Phewwww!

[Words]

Jane, good luck with the young'uns. From experience the vixen vanishes for about a week underground. She'll then keep a close eye on things for a while after that. If the male is around, he'll do a lot of the parenting as well (possibly!). More than four or five cubs will keep you busy (and dizzy watching them). A couple of years ago we had seven cubs visit the garden here, but most years it's two or three.

[tigger]

The vixen was missing from the garden for about a week and a half... now she's back. Her mate is around (a big, long legged, dark coloured dog Fox) and also three female youngsters from last year. So she has got a good support system for the babysitting!

Fingers crossed that all will go well, and I will see them in a month or so. When do the cubs start emerging from the earth? any idea?

Jane

[Words]

Around four weeks. A couple of years ago we estimated the birth around 5th/5th March (our vixen stopped appearing). We started to hear the cubs rustling in the undergrowth on around 13th April, and first saw them on the 16th. Absolutely adorable! This shot from 18th April 2006.

We've not been so fortunate since then (the earth was further away last year so it took them a couple of months to explore as far as us).

[tigger]

Thanks Words. I will watch out for them around about the 20th April then. I thought I might go and sit in the shed today and see if I could hear them at all (as they should be right underneath).

Jane

[stripee]

The vixen I usually see most nights has vanished, maybe she is having cubs. So hopefully in a couple of weeks there will be some

[Meles meles]

Originally Posted by stripee

The vixen I usually see most nights has vanished, maybe she is having cubs. So hopefully in a couple of weeks there will be some

Knowing what you have said in the past stripee, check your Badger enterances for signs and strong foxy like odours. Any changes in boris and co's behaviour around a sett, using different enterance etc? Its quite possible the vixen is somewhere close to you in your normal study area. Remember it is extremely common this time of year for the two to share a sett for purposes of breeding. I have the prime example in one of mine, Clear evidence indicates my theory But having witnessed it. Also try to take note of the dog foxs that may be acting strange near a sett, shed etc It is possible his actions help you locate her. Having watched a possible dad to be one night I am certain that another vixen has taken shelter in an old bunker close to me, good times are coming

[stripee]

Thanks meles, for your advice, will have a look tomorrow to see what's going on... I know the vixen lives near the sett, and it's unusual for her not to be about. Last year, she lost all her cubs, first time mother, so maybe she'll be better this time round.