Foxes are often assumed to be solitary, but
the reality is rather more complex. They live as families, but hunt alone.
The fox territorial system is comprised of
groups (generally families, but sometimes with unrelated additions) which
defend a territory. There are also many young "vagrants" who wander widely.
Established fox groups seem to be comprised of a dominant male, a dominant female (who
attempts to stop other vixens from breeding) some subordinate adults, and
the cubs of the year. In theory, foxes are monogamous, and males jealously
guard their vixen when she is on heat, but a recent genetic study showed
that many litters do have more than one father. Unfortunately, it's
impossible to know whether this is normal in fox societies, or just an
artefact of the unnaturally high mortality rates of foxes in the UK, which
causes extremely fast population turnover and may make fox groups more
unstable.
Being a social species, foxes communicate with each other in many ways:
Body Language
At close range, foxes "talk" through
posture.
Brush
Curled
A brush bent around in an "L" shape, usually tucked against one leg, shows
an anxious fox. I normally see this when a low-ranked fox is giving way to a
dominant one. It seems to be the vulpine equivalent to a dog tucking its
tail between its legs. Note that this fox has his ears tipped
backwards, another sign of anxiety.
Not to be confused with a broken tail, which is also likely to be crooked.
Brush
Up
On the other hand, a brush held high signals that its owner is in charge.
His ears are pricked and alert.
Play mimics conflict in both foxes and humans. For that reason, foxes at
play will also hold their brushes high, regardless of their real rank in the
group.
Brush
Swishing
Though fox cubs do wag their tails as a greeting, an adult fox which wags its brush sideways is not
always being sociable - sometimes it will be in a very aggressive mood.
Brush
Neutral
Regardless of rank, a fox will usually hold its brush at its natural level
except when actually interacting with another individual. I've put this
picture on here to help distinguish when foxes are "talking", and when the
brush is not in use.
Mouth
Open
This seems to principally be a defensive posture. A fox challenged by a
higher ranking group member will squat and open its mouth wide, usually
finishing in a fake yawn. It seems to be the fox version of a dog baring its
teeth.
Arched
Back
I have only seen this cat-like pose being exhibited by a dominant male when
an intruder is close at hand. It is probably an overt reminder of who owns
the territory.
Long Distance Communication
Scent
Fox urine is faintly detectable even to people - it has a rather sweet,
musky scent. Male foxes cock their legs on bushes just like dogs, often by
fox highways (for example, a well-used gap in a hedge). Foxes also roll on
the ground, either making themselves smell like their territory or vice
versa. They have a prominent scent gland at the base of their tail.
Scat
Often positioned on mole hills and stones, and by food and water sources.
Droppings signal that a territory is occupied, but they might also reveal
the gender and reproductive status of the owner - perhaps even their health.
Recent studies with dogs have shown them able to "smell" cancer and perhaps
epilepsy. Foxes will leave scat on empty caches, probably to signal to
themselves that the cache is no longer in use.
Family Interactions
Grooming
This rather blurry shot shows the Survivor Vixen nibbling the Ginger Vixen's
ear. Grooming is an example of what scientists call "reciprocal altruism":
if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.
Foxtrot
If there is a serious conflict and neither fox backs down, the "foxtrot" may
result. This is a ritualised fight in which both foxes stand on their
hindlegs with their paws on each other's shoulders, heads thrown back,
screaming loudly as they try to push each other over. (It is also used in
jest - see below.)
Play
It is said that play in adulthood is a sign of high
intelligence. Play may assist group bonding and resolve hierarchies without
serious injury, but given the sheer amount of energy required to play the
game of tag shown in the video below, I think superimposing survival values
on absolutely all adult play is denying the reality of animal life.
Sometimes, play is just play. Foxes are naturally highly curious and will
attempt to play with tennis balls, golf balls, and any dog toys that they
discover. Apart from tag, they also play king of the castle (with one fox
standing on an object such as a fallen tree trunk) and cat-like pouncing
games.
Brush
Curled
Brush
Up
Brush
Swishing
Brush
Neutral
Mouth
Open
Arched
Back
Scent
Scat
Grooming
Foxtrot