I recieved these pics the other day, I've been hearing about this little lady for awhile but just got the proof. The first time she was spotted he was grilling chicken, looked over as she walked out, thin and obviously had just welped. He ended up leaving some scraps for her. After that a little at a time he's got her and the kits to where they are coming up on the deck while they are out there every evening.
I know, and have tried to tell him, that this isn't a great idea, I've explained about the food/human association but to be honest if this happened to me I'd probably be tempted to do the same thing.
I did recommend that he see a vet and see if he can get some rabies vaccine in a pill form (if they even make it) to mix with the food he's giving them, hopefully he will. I worry that it won't be his deck they decide to trot up on, some folks get a little funny about things like that, and yes I've explained about the possibility of someone getting bit.
Try telling your brother in law what to do, better luck at it than I.

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

Well your brother in law has friends for life! They are really cool looking animals. We have foxes at work and up here the pups are about a month or so old now they roam around and play all day pretty cool to watch and I work at a Exxon oil refinery that's the funny part. They are fed really well but they will spook you when you lift your welding hood up they are looking at you. We can get as close as two feet but thats about it they take the food and go feed their pups. Thats why gas prices are so high too busy feeding and watching the foxes!

Sorry I am a city boy. What is it?



As soon as I posted I got the answer. Can they be domesticated?

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Nope.

They will gladly eat your house cat, chickens, geese, rabbits, or small dogs.

They spread diseases common to canines and RABIES (common to most mammals). Extremely bad idea to let these things get familiar with humans. Around this farm, those that want to hang around the barnyard are terminated with extreme prejudice.

Nice deck.
I don't do wild animals.

Thanks for the education. This is why i really enjoy this forum. Why is it that wolves can be domesticated?

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Couple of months back there was a National Geographic article about domesticating foxes. Takes a couple of generations IIRC. The real point of the article was tracking genetic changes that seem to be the result of domestication. These take about 4 generations to show up and include the ears taking much longer to stand up and differences in the structure of the tail.

A vixen was raising 2 kits on some property we own earlier this year. I like watching them-at a couple of hundred yards. She was semi-trained a couple of years ago. If she heard one shot, she came running to check the ground hog holes for dinner.

A wild wolf can't be domesticated either. You can captive breed (or cross breed with domestic stock) and after several generations, you will get a "domesticated" wolf.

Just don't leave one to babysit your grand baby.........

Foxes are nocturnal; when they are observed in the daytime, it MAY be an indication of some disease, rabies included.

Regardless, it is not a good practice to get them habituated to humans. I retired from our state wildlife agency and knew of several similar cases that resulted in injury to the people involved. The animal also had to be destroyed and checked for rabies.

Relatives can be hard to get things across to at times, so good luck. Hope nothing goes wrong there, but it can easily do so in a hurry.

I have seen domesticated wolves in NYC, I don't know how far they are removed by generation from the wild. I definitely side with you M1 a predator is a predator. I love animals, but sometimes you just have to keep your distance and know your place.

I have to say that is a cool photo though.

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Wow, I hadn't even thought of that. Good warning.

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Fidelis Ad Mortem

Training them not to fear humans will no doubt lead to an early demise.

What a timely post. We have 3 foxes here on the grounds at FedEx in Memphis. It appears to be a female and two kits. I get to work early, usually about 0530 and the are out frolicking in our courtyard. We have a small stand of woods but we are in the middle of the city directly accross from Mem International airport. The foxes are apparently being fed by our employees as they are NOT scared around humans. A lot of the women up here are frightened and have called security about having them removed. They in turn have contacted animal control and I believe they are trying to trap them and relocate them. It is a strange feeling. Once I get out of my vehicle and head up to the building I look behind me and they will get directly on the walkway, about 29-30 yards back and start following me. I guess they are hoping for a handout. But I do not feed them. I suppose as with all wild animals we are encroaching on their habitat.

Roger

What they said.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS!

Sorry, but fox and daylight=problem, So, BANG. Would they feed a coyote?

"animal control"?! Heck, Roger, around here all animal control is interested in is selling stolen pit bulls to gang bangers.

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S&WCA 1729

As I said I've told him everything you all have stated, one can only do so much, that's why I suggested to him to see about some rabies vaccine that can be put into the food he's feeding them.
As i also said, if I had a family of foxes on my property I would be tempted to make friends with them as well, bad idea I know, but kinda irresistable at the same time. They are good looking, curious little animals.
I was toldby my BIL that the only time they do come around is very early morning or very late in the day, but once they know food is available, and they don't have to risk alot to obtain it I'm sure they'll come around midday.
I tried to tame a groundhog once, no luck, that thing was just onery. Ugly too.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

In this part of FL canine distemper is quite common in Foxes. Unfortunately it is easily spread.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus