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Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes crucigera
This species is a firm resident on the Common throught the year. Its handsome reddish-brown fur, white underparts and long "brushy" tail, make it easy to identify. If illuminated at night, its eyes shine an orange-red.
Since those hazy days of millenniums now gone, the fox has trotted sprightly over the heathlands and open fields we love.
Although mainly a nocturnal animal, this species can be seen out and about on the Common in the daytime or towards dusk.
Food. Wild creatures including rabbits, squirrels, hedgehogs,voles, also
frogs and insects. It will raid hen-houes and back gardens in its
quest for household scraps.
Breeding. The young are born in April in an underground "earth" Foxes are
excellent parents and raise their young to be good hunters and
well able to fend for themselves.
Notes. Occasionally they will bark. This is usually heard on quiet and still
evenings.
Signs. Tracks are more compact than a dog`s. Earths and tracks which
foxes use regularly have a musty smell.
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