Foxes

[gardenwatcher]

This is a regular visitor to my garden, there are several foxes and they are always around .
Thought you would like to see it!

[artdemole]

Nice shot..Like the eyes...

[Billabong Karen]

Nice healthy looking fox

[Dogghound]

Its a male, if your interested.

[htcdude]

We had them right outside our window last night waking us up

[Billabong Karen]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Its a male, if your interested.

How can you tell it's a male without being able to see his, er, bits???

[gardenwatcher]

Yes, I want to know that as well, can you tell us please Dogghound.

[htcdude]

Originally Posted by Billabong Karen

How can you tell it's a male without being able to see his, er, bits???

This might help, from Wildlifeonline:

"Sexing individuals from a distance is something of an acquired skill, because there is very little sexual dimorphism in Red foxes (i.e. the males and females look very similar). As in many (although certainly not all) mammal species, adult males are usually larger than females: between 67 – 72 cm and 62 – 68 cm, respectively. Similarly, the skull morphology is different: males tend to have broader heads with longer, narrower snouts than females. However, at close quarters, the most accurate method is to look for a penis sheath, or (during cub-rearing) swollen teats. Female foxes are referred to as "vixens", while males are called "dogs"."

Nige

[Billabong Karen]

Ah yes, a bit like Labrador owners can easily tell at a distance whether they are looking at a dog or a bitch (the dogs have wider skulls). Is that the technique you use, Dogghound, or do you have some other secret identification method?

[Dogghound]

Head shape, broad head and narrow muzzle is indicative of a male. Vixens have more of a triangular face profile, which is smoother and smaller.