Fox cub

[Acipiter]

I found a half grown fox cub lying dead in the woods the other day, miles from any dwellings, as far as I could see there was no signs of any injury. The funny thing is when I returned the next day it was gone. I had a good look round every where and could find no trace of it. the only thing I can think of is maybe a badger took it, any ideas?.

[witham]

a badger could have taken it, as although I don't think they would kill one they have been known to take dead lambs in our area, but I could be wrong as I have also been told they can do as much damage in a chicken pen as a fox

[mbaldw]

Badgers generally don't pass up carrion when they stumble across it, although I think it's more probable that another fox picked it up. Cannibalism is not unknown in Red foxes (neither is infanticide) and I have come across several reports of adult foxes seen carrying or burying cubs.

Cheers,
Marc.

[foxypal]

Im sure that Simon from Wildlife SOS said that a mother will bury her dead cub.

[Acipiter]

Originally Posted by foxypal

Im sure that Simon from Wildlife SOS said that a mother will bury her dead cub.

That may be true if the cub was small, but this cub was just too big for a adult fox to carry off. And if it had dragged it I would have seen the signs, but there were none. What ever it was that done the deed, it must have been quite a strong animal.

[mbaldw]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

That may be true if the cub was small, but this cub was just too big for a adult fox to carry off. And if it had dragged it I would have seen the signs, but there were none. What ever it was that done the deed, it must have been quite a strong animal.

It may not have been a fox, but I've seen video of a fox trotting along carrying an adult Brown hare in its mouth. Maybe it was removed by another person, or picked up by a dog?

Cheers,
Marc.

[Acipiter]

Originally Posted by mbaldw

It may not have been a fox, but I've seen video of a fox trotting along carrying an adult Brown hare in its mouth. Maybe it was removed by another person, or picked up by a dog?

Cheers,
Marc.

If the dog was very large I suppose its possible, but this was a very remote spot in the middle of a very large wood. The only thing I can think of is a badger, unless like you say some one did find it and picked it up.

[mbaldw]

Given how low-slung badgers are, I would think a badger would also have needed to drag a fox that a fox or dog could also not carry off. The only other suggestion I have (if it wasn't a human) is a large bird of prey, but I'd be surprised if a buzzard or kite could lift a large (almost fully grown?) animal - still, you know more about BoPs than me

Cheers,
Marc.

p.s. any 'big cats' reported in the area

[Acipiter]

The trees in this wood are too close together for a large bid of prey, so that just leaves a large cat or big foot. either way I am not thinking of returning any time soon.

[Acipiter]

I had a look at your wild life site Marc, congratulation I enjoyed it very much. I read the quotation by Rene Descartes, and there I was thinking it was one of mine great minds think a like, I wish. ... regards Alan.