Red fox smirking
The red fox is one of the most widespread carnivores in the world, capable of thriving in extreme environments which include the Arctic’s frozen tundra and the scorching deserts of the Middle East. In the United Kingdom, red fox populations are estimated to be between 350,000 and 400,000 individuals, occupying farmlands, woodlands, and cities.
The red fox’s ability to survive in such varied conditions comes from its versatile hunting strategies. Unlike many predators that rely on a single method, foxes use different techniques depending on their environment. In rural areas, they hunt in fields and woodlands, using cover to ambush small mammals and birds. In colder regions like the Arctic, foxes scavenge from larger predators, such as wolves and polar bears, taking advantage of leftover kills.
In urban environments, foxes display an impressive ability to hunt small rodents and insects while also scavenging human food. In this respect, few wild predators have adapted as effectively to urban life as the red fox.
The red fox also has a well-earned reputation for being cunning and resourceful, particularly when it comes to raiding chicken coops. Farmers have struggled for centuries to keep foxes away from their livestock, yet foxes continue to find ways in. They can dig under fences, climb over barriers, or squeeze through small gaps to reach their prey. If a coop is poorly secured, a fox will exploit weak points, using its sharp claws to pry open doors or slip through narrow spaces. Foxes can also learn to lift simple latches, both through trial and error and simple observation.
Foxes have also been observed to plan and execute their attacks strategically. A fox may spend days watching a farm, learning the farmer’s routines and identifying the best time to strike. They typically hunt at night, using the cover of darkness to remain undetected. If a farmer reinforces a coop, a fox may simply find another weak spot or dig a tunnel beneath the enclosure, proving its persistence and problem-solving skills.
Once inside, foxes are known to kill multiple chickens at once, even if they only take one away. This behaviour, known as "surplus killing," is not mindless slaughter but rather an instinct to store extra food for later. Foxes often bury uneaten prey nearby, returning when food becomes scarce.
I encountered this beautiful prowling through a local meadow during the golden hours just before sunset. While I will never know for sure why she was smirking, I can easily imagine it had to do with an unwitting chicken or a vole.
Red fox smirking
The red fox is one of the most widespread carnivores in the world, capable of thriving in extreme environments which include the Arctic’s frozen tundra and the scorching deserts of the Middle East. In the United Kingdom, red fox populations are estimated to be between 350,000 and 400,000 individuals, occupying farmlands, woodlands, and cities.
The red fox’s ability to survive in such varied conditions comes from its versatile hunting strategies. Unlike many predators that rely on a single method, foxes use different techniques depending on their environment. In rural areas, they hunt in fields and woodlands, using cover to ambush small mammals and birds. In colder regions like the Arctic, foxes scavenge from larger predators, such as wolves and polar bears, taking advantage of leftover kills.
In urban environments, foxes display an impressive ability to hunt small rodents and insects while also scavenging human food. In this respect, few wild predators have adapted as effectively to urban life as the red fox.
The red fox also has a well-earned reputation for being cunning and resourceful, particularly when it comes to raiding chicken coops. Farmers have struggled for centuries to keep foxes away from their livestock, yet foxes continue to find ways in. They can dig under fences, climb over barriers, or squeeze through small gaps to reach their prey. If a coop is poorly secured, a fox will exploit weak points, using its sharp claws to pry open doors or slip through narrow spaces. Foxes can also learn to lift simple latches, both through trial and error and simple observation.
Foxes have also been observed to plan and execute their attacks strategically. A fox may spend days watching a farm, learning the farmer’s routines and identifying the best time to strike. They typically hunt at night, using the cover of darkness to remain undetected. If a farmer reinforces a coop, a fox may simply find another weak spot or dig a tunnel beneath the enclosure, proving its persistence and problem-solving skills.
Once inside, foxes are known to kill multiple chickens at once, even if they only take one away. This behaviour, known as "surplus killing," is not mindless slaughter but rather an instinct to store extra food for later. Foxes often bury uneaten prey nearby, returning when food becomes scarce.
I encountered this beautiful prowling through a local meadow during the golden hours just before sunset. While I will never know for sure why she was smirking, I can easily imagine it had to do with an unwitting chicken or a vole.