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FAQ
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Some of the foxes who have made regular appearances on the Blog Old Dogfox
First seen: 2001 Year of Birth: Unknown
Status: Former dominant male History: Survived mange in winter 2005. Has sired several litters. Now dominated by One-Eye Notes: The oldest fox as well as the former patriarch of the group, the Old Dogfox has weathered mange and several challenges from young males. However, he now seems to have lost the top position to One-Eye. He is a fine looking fox, tolerant of people and generally quite calm in nature. He is still one of the most frequent visitors to the garden. Oddly, he once left a teddy bear on our patio.
Survivor Vixen
First seen: Autumn 2005? Year of Birth: 2005
Status: Once lowest ranking; breeding vixen 2007 History: Contracted mange late 2005; captured for professional treatment Jan 06; returned to wild March 06. Caught mange again May 06 and treated in the wild. Notes: Easily the smallest fox, yet the only one of the "group of four vixens" who still comes to the garden. Once bullied by all, she was the breeding vixen in 2007 (and likely this year also).
One-Eye
First seen: Summer 2007 Year of Birth: Unknown, probably 2006
Status: Dominant male History: Cause of eye injury unknown Notes: This huge male fox finally ended the Old Dogfox's long dominance over the garden territory. He is the tallest fox that I've ever seen, but his highly aggressive demeanour has mellowed over time.
Chipped Vixen
First seen: Spring 2007 Year of Birth: Unknown
Status: Unclear History: None known Notes: The Chipped Vixen has been a regular but fleeting visitor to the garden for a long time. I have seen her foraging with One-Eye, but her relationship with the other foxes is unclear.
Fringe Vixen
First seen: Probably 2005; confirmed May 06 Year of Birth: 2005
Status: Once dominant; usurped and expelled History: None known Notes: This tall, lean vixen was a very frequent visitor during the latter half of 2006 but was expelled by the Old Dogfox. She may have joined the Uband Male's group as I have seen her in his territory on a number of occasions.
Takahe
First seen: Autumn 2005 Year of Birth: 2005
Status: Breeding female in 2006 History: First litter spring 2006 Notes: Very similar in appearance to the Ginger Vixen, who appeared to be her full sister, Takahe (named after the NZ bird which has disappeared and reappeared several times) is slightly larger and more brightly coloured. She seems very highly strung and particularly dislikes the Fringe Vixen. She disappeared from the garden during 2006, probably because of frequent conflicts with the other foxes.
Ginger Vixen
First seen: Autumn 2005 Year of Birth: 2005. Died 18/5/06
Notes: The Ginger Vixen was originally the most frequent female fox to visit our garden and brightened all our lives with her madcap antics and playful demeanour. Tragically, she was killed by a car driver outside our house on a road dominated by too many speeding vehicles.
Interloper
First seen: December 2005 Year of Birth: Unknown
Status: Intruder History: Blinded in one eye in Mar 06, possibly by a cat Notes: This large fox briefly challenged the Old Dogfox for the territory when the latter was suffering from mange. However, after his injury, he became very submissive. He has not been seen for a long time and I fear he finally succumbed to his injuries. U-Band Male
Year of Birth: Unknown Status: Intruder (in garden) History: None known Notes: Named for a distinctive u-shaped dark band crossing his chest, this is another very large male fox. He dominates the territory "next door" (in the rural lane where I often photograph foxes) but occasionally wanders into the garden. He is noticeably bigger than the Old Dogfox.
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First seen: March
2007