FOXES CALLING!

In these cold evenings I can hear foxes calling as they seek mates and defend their territories.Foxes mate in Nov-Dec and young are born in Feb -March,usually 3-4 cubs.Finding enough food for adults and cubs can be demanding and a varied diet of small rodents,birds,frogs ,worms and any uneaten pet food keeps them going till the arrival of the main rabbit season,cubs stay underground for several weeks cared for by the vixen ,who doesn"t leave the den and is fed by the dog (male).
The cubs start to play outside the den after 6-8 weeks but depend on their parents to feed them.
These pictures were taken in mid May.

Gradually they accompany the adults on foraging trips and learn the tricks of the trade.Last June I saw two adults and four cubs at dusk in a hayfield playing through the big bales ,looking for frogs and beetles,an occasional skelp from mom or dad kept an order of sorts! This playing lasted for over an hour before dad decided to do some serious hunting and went off on his own.
Cubs leave the family at 7-8 months and fend for themselves,saddley only one in four survive the first year.