The Fox Files

 

Mid February

Day 1 (3/22/25) Fox Files

Last year we came across a fox den on one of our walks. We decided to set out a trail cam and see what we could see. We observed the fox family for several months but realized we were too late to get early pictures of the kits which were pretty much full grown. At first we didn’t even realize that they were the kits. Eventually we noticed that the young ones were slightly healthier looking, whereas, the adults were thinner and scruffier probably from taking care of the kits. Apparently, both parents help raise the young with the male providing food and protection while the vixen nurses the young. Sometimes there is a second female that helps with the nursing and care.  We learned a lot that first year but determined that we would have to get a camera out earlier next year.

This year we put the camera out in mid February. At first it was hard to tell if they were using the same burrow. They occasionally showed up on the camera but rarely going into or out of the den and never during the day. Even when there was snow on the ground there was little or no evidence of the den being used but we kept filming. Eventually there was more activity but even then it appeared as if they were just passing by the den. We like to check the camera sparingly as to not bother them so today was the first time in a while. We were surprised to find evidence of the kits being moved three times over the last couple weeks. It looks as if there are four of them. It is a little hard to get the full picture of what is going on with random pictures so I am thinking of changing over to video for a while. From what we can see, they were moved into and then out of the den again and then maybe back in. Some of this was done during daylight giving us some good pictures. We were surprised to see how dark the kits are. They appear to be mostly gray blobs. At first I wasn’t sure what I was seeing. Right now they appear to be about the size of a football. I am sure a lot of it is fur. Hopefully they will stay in this den and we get some good footage of them growing up.

Enjoying the Sun

First Move

If you look closely you can see its little face

Nighttime Move

Third Move