The fox is one of the most numerous animals on the planet. Some species are distributed in the northern latitudes, for others, the halo of habitat is warmer climes. In the middle lane, this animal is extremely common.
Very interesting is the question of what is the life span of a fox. But about the diet and the habits of this amazing animal, many have not quite the right idea.
Redhead beauty can't help but like it
Different subspecies of foxes live in different climatic zones. In total, there are more than fifty of them. They all differ in color and size.
Such a tendency has been noticed: the closer to the south, the smaller this animal, and the color of its fur is duller. Closer to the north lives a larger wild fox. Its 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 is classified as an arctic fox, so that seems to be another story.
In the middle lane, the red fox is the most common. This is the mostlarge subspecies. Some individuals reach a length of up to 1 m. And there is also an almost sixty-centimeter magnificent beautiful tail!
In the cold season of the year, the animal is covered with fluffy and long fur, by spring there is a molt, after which the pile of the predator becomes less dense and much shorter than in winter. A redhead appears in the color of the fur.
The heroine of folklore Patrikeevna herself
How long a fox lives on the planet next to us, so many people compose all sorts of fables about it. Already she is a deceiver, and a vile nature, and an insidious temptress, and a traitor. Whatever fairy tale you take, everywhere Patrikeevna acts as a negative character.
It seems that such fame was attached to the fox because of her cunning. She is very deftly able to avoid trouble - it is quite difficult to catch an adult beast. A lot of skill and intelligence should be applied to the hunter so that this red-haired beauty becomes his prey.
If only people were like foxes…
Meanwhile, like wolves, these animals only once choose a life partner. Being caring parents, males raise offspring together with females. Moreover, foxes begin to patronize their spouse even at the stage of pregnancy. They dig a hole for the whole family, improve 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 to make mommy calmer.
And if suddenly a young mother is left by a tragic accident without a breadwinner, male bachelors even fight for the right to becomestepfather to orphans. And about leaving a girlfriend and spreading to another fox, younger and more agile, and there can be no question. Foxes do not leave their spouses, do not leave children without guardianship.
So that's how long the fox lives, suffers so much injustice from people, hears so much gossip about himself and slander. And people should learn 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 way of life of these animals is extremely similar. Therefore, the lifespan of a fox should be similar to that of 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. Sometimes there are five-year-old foxes. And it is very rare to find individuals who have lived to be seven years old.
But at home, the life expectancy of a fox will surprise even an experienced cynologist. It turns out that the red-haired beauty, with proper care, lives up to a quarter of a century!
Fox Diet
Speaking of what these predators prefer to eat, most people will argue that hares. And they will be wrong. Of course, foxes do not refuse hare meat. But preference is given to small rodents. "Mouse" is a favorite pastime of foxes. And hunting for rabbits is mainly hunted by only a few individuals. especiallylarge predators can even attack a roe deer cub. But not a single subspecies of the fox will refuse birds.
Eggs are also a tasty dish for a predator. Although foxes, according to eyewitnesses, do not disdain carrion in starvation. And in deserts and semi-deserts, lizards and other reptiles make up the lion's share of their diet. In Canada and in the north-east of Eurasia, fishing foxes live in large numbers.
And few people know that insects and their larvae are a summer delicacy for red cheats. And of course, the menu of every self-respecting chanterelle includes fruits, berries and fruits - vitamins are needed for mind and growth!
Of course, it is completely impossible to replace animal food with vegetable food, this type of food is not so significant. But the fox cannot do without it. Sometimes she even eats the vegetative parts of plants. It is known that fox raids cause huge damage to oat crops during the period of milky ripeness of cereals.
Now no one will argue that the fox is an insidious and evil eater of defenseless bunnies, and therefore will not spread rumors about fox treachery and betrayal either.