Foxy Visitors (Warning: Large Photos!)

[MaeZe]

That's hilarious, Donna.

I love how Momma Fox herds the last kit.

 

[mrsmig]

Just watched that one.

Where is the Backyard camera in relation to the Kitchen camera? I'm just curious and I can't figure it out from teh angles.

The backyard camera points south from the northernmost corner of the property, and the kitchen camera points west toward our front yard. The kitchen yard is the main fox feeding station.

 

[mrsmig]

That's hilarious, Donna.

I love how Momma Fox herds the last kit.

I think the kit may be trying to suckle, which is why she keeps jumping out of reach. I bet those little teeth are sharp!

 

[ElaineA]

The way they *bounce bounce bounce* into the yard!

 

[mrsmig]

A little early Mother's Day present for you all: Esmeralda and three VERY hungry kits.

A Mother's Work Is Never Done

 

[MaeZe]

I see what you mean by Mom hopping to get away from annoying kits.

 

[mrsmig]

I just got home after five days at the beach, and the whole time I was gone, I worried that the fox family would be okay.

They're fine. Very fine.

Foxy Family

 

[mrsmig]

The little ones are venturing a little further afield every day, although they still haven't left the back of the yard. We strung a cat toy onto a pole, to see if they'd play with it.

Tippy & Toy

 

[ElaineA]

I just got home after five days at the beach, and the whole time I was gone, I worried that the fox family would be okay.

They're fine. Very fine.

Foxy Family

I adored this one! Don't mess with Esmeralda.

Hey, Donna, I can't remember. Is Quasi one of the guys you were treating for mange, or is he just naturally raggedy?

 

[Woollybear]

He looks mangy!!! He's been eating poisoned rats I'd wager.

But the tail on Esme ... I LOVE it.

 

[mrsmig]

I adored this one! Don't mess with Esmeralda.

Hey, Donna, I can't remember. Is Quasi one of the guys you were treating for mange, or is he just naturally raggedy?

He had mange, but seems to be coming back from it. Both parents look a little down at heel right now. I imagine keeping three growing kits fed and safe takes a lot of energy.

 

[mrsmig]

The kits are getting so big! Tippy is the only one I've named, since it's the only one with an identifying mark (white tail tip). Tippy likes to hang close to Esmeralda, and will trot along with her as she explores the yard every night. I can't tell the sex of any of the kits yet; I think Tippy might be a male, but I'm just not sure.

I learned a new fox noise recently. Esme will make a low, guttural "wuff" sound, and when they hear it, the kits will all run back to the den post-haste. It must be some kind of warning. My neighbors' pets all get the "wuff" treatment when they bark at the kits. When other foxes come into the yard, Esme lets out a territorial scream. Hence, even Seven O'Clock has been staying away when the kits are out of the den. It can get quite noisy some nights.

Here's some footage of the kits playing last night. They love to romp around and dig in the deer's food and water bowls, even when Esme is trying her best to give them (the kits, not the bowls) a wash-up.

Washing & Playing