Foxes are found throughout Europe, Asia, North America and North Africa.

The fox is a carnivorous mammal and belongs to the canine family. Depending on the species, the size of this animal is up to 90 cm in length, and the weight can reach 10 kg.

The fox is distinguished by an elongated graceful body, an elongated muzzle, pointed ears and a fluffy tail. Large and elongated ears help foxes pick up sounds, and a long tail helps to maintain balance while running and protects from the cold.

The coat of foxes is most often yellow, sandy or reddish. In summer, the fox sheds, and by winter it grows new wool, thick and lush, necessary for protection from the cold. The winter coat of this animal is long and beautiful. In ancient times, fox hair was even equated with money.

The fox is a predator, it feeds on small rodents - mice, ground squirrels. It is generally accepted that hares are the favorite food of foxes, but this is not entirely true. Because of its short legs, it is difficult for her to catch up with such a fast animal like a hare. Although the fox is capable of speeds up to 50 km / h, it cannot pursue prey for a long time.

In addition to rodents and hares, the fox loves to feast on birds, eggs from ruined nests, fruits and berries.

For hunting, foxes choose the dark time of the day or early morning. The fox relies primarily on touch and scent. Her eyes, although adapted to see in the dark, do not distinguish colors.

In winter, the fox is engaged in mouse thinking. This hunt requires all her dexterity, excellent hearing and quick wits. The fox is able to hear the animal at a distance of 100 m. It listens to the movement of the rodent under the snow and, as soon as it detects it, rises on its hind legs and, bringing the front legs close together, sharply dives into the snow. If the thickness of the snow cover is small, then the fox simply digs it up and takes out a vole mouse.

Having caught the prey, the fox does not chew the meat, but chews it into small pieces and swallows it.

Foxes are not capable of storing supplies, therefore, if they have caught a rodent, but at the same time are full, they simply play with their prey like cats until the rodent ceases to show signs of life. Because of this peculiarity, people used foxes in fruit fields to kill pest rodents.

Foxes are mostly sedentary. Young individuals leave no more than 20-30 km from the parental den. These animals prefer open areas, they are rarely found in wooded areas. Foxes live in a burrow that they dig on the slopes of hills or river floods. Several passages are made into the hole, which lead through long tunnels to a common nesting place. In it, foxes sleep and raise puppies.

Foxes find a mate for themselves to raise offspring together. Puppies are born once a year. One litter can have up to 16 puppies. Fox cubs are born blind, toothless and deaf. After two weeks, they already begin to see, hear and bark. Mom feeds the cubs with milk. Gradually, their parents teach them to hunt and eat meat.

The life span of foxes in nature is up to 10 years. In a zoo, a fox can live up to 20-25 years.

Questions about the report:

1. Where are foxes found?
2. What do they eat?
3. What is the name of the fox's house?
4. How many babies are born and how often?
5. How long do foxes live?

Patrikeevna, fox-sister, robber - popular heroes of folk tales, familiar from childhood. Cunning, cunning, deceit are the main qualities with which the fox is associated. Why did the fox get such a reputation? Is this the result of survival instinct or habitat?

The fox is a carnivorous canine mammal. It resembles a wolf and a domestic dog: white or dark brown low limbs, sharp dark tips of the ears, graceful body, elongated muzzle, elongated fluffy tail.

The size and color of the animal depends on the habitat: in the north, the animals are large (up to 90 cm) with a light color, and in the south - small (from 18 cm) with a dull color. Representatives of mountainous regions are characterized by a black-brown color of wool. Most often, foxes with a bright red back, white belly and dark paws are found. All types of foxes have thin legs and a white coat on the tip of the tail. The weight of the animal, depending on the species, ranges from 700 g to 10 kg.

Tail functions

The luxurious tail of the fox saves from the cold, strong winds in winter. Length - 20-30 cm. Fenech's - 40-60 cm. The animal is wrapped in it like a duvet. Hiding the muzzle in the fluffy hair of the tail, the animal disguises itself from enemies. The cunning predator uses its tail as a stabilizer while catching hares; it deftly rearranges its movement in different directions. Another use for the tail is as a trick for pursuing enemies. During long chases, the animal takes the fluffy bait aside and makes a sharp turn of the body in the other direction. While the enemies, having dispersed, run straight, the animal manages to gain time and hide. Predators always run with raised tails to avoid the accumulation of snow and water. When the tail freezes, it is difficult to catch up with the victim and run away from enemies.

Types and names

Cunning predators have adapted to life in various natural zones. There are more than 55 species of foxes, which belong to different genera.

At the root of the tail is a gland that produces the smell of violets. The aroma is enhanced during the breeding season. The function of the gland in the life of a predator has not been fully understood. Hunters claim that it is designed to facilitate the search for a groom.

The white color of the tip of the tail has a special purpose: a signal for the cubs. The animal attracts the attention of its young, helping them to wade through bushes, tall vegetation. Little foxes follow the white beacon and stay on the road.

Eyes

The eyes of foxes are characterized by vertical pupils, like those of cats. The eye is not designed for color recognition. Adaptation of the eyes to a nightlife allows you to quickly respond to moving objects, navigate in the dark.

Survival in the wild is facilitated by developed visual memory. Predators are able to remember shelters, paths that are far from the burrow.

Wool

The fox's coat is long, thick and soft. The main color is all shades of red. A peculiar color scheme helps to hunt on the edges and fields in autumn. Among dry grass, animals are less visible. Closer to winter, predators move to places with dried up weeds, tall marsh grasses of a brownish-red hue, like fox fur. In winter, the wool thickens, reliably protecting it from frost. Although the color of the red fox does not change to camouflage, this does not prevent it from obtaining food.

The molt period begins in the summer. The animal sheds its fur, adjusting to the ambient temperature. The fur becomes sparse and dull.

Sounds

Fox sounds resemble hoarse barking of dogs with a variety of intonations and shades. Each type of fox has its own set of sounds, timbre of voice, used for different situations.

In the natural environment, it is difficult to catch and even more overhear a fox, they are very careful. Those lucky enough to hear a fox's voice claim that hoarse sounds vaguely resemble a human voice. The fox mom calls the cubs in a quiet, drawn-out voice. If danger threatens, she publishes a short "ko", the cubs immediately become silent, stop moving.

Disturbing yapping can be heard in such cases:

• enemies crossed the territory;
• there is an attempt on prey;
• "Strangers" approach the burrow with foxes;
• chattering teeth, growling and groans testify to the tournament of males.

The researchers admit that the calm communication of foxes with each other resembles meowing and even joyful screams.

Little fennecs howl, whine, bark. When a stranger appears, mini predators begin to hiss nervously and chirp resentfully. Large species of foxes - corsacs living in the North, are distinguished by low intonations. Animals rarely communicate with each other, since they live alone. Growling, uterine clatter - sounds characteristic of Korsakov.

People who work with foxes at the zoo are able to distinguish the individual voices of each individual. Following the intonation, we can say for sure that the foxes:

• angry;
• want to feed offspring;
• the name of the foxes;
• looking for a mating partner;
• missed freedom.

Steppe fox

Korsaks live in the steppes, fields of Asia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iran. Steppe foxes live in hilly areas with little vegetation. They do not approach the forest.

Body length - from 45 cm to 65 cm, weight - up to 7 kg. Coat color: gray with a yellowish-reddish tint. In winter, the fur color changes to straw gray. Korsaks are distinguished by their ability to climb trees. While running, they develop a speed of up to 65 km / h.

The steppe fox creates a pair for life, but before that there is a fight of young males for females. Bearing cubs lasts 2 months. They are born blind, covered with light brown fluff. Within a month, little foxes begin to eat the meat of rodents, mice, ground squirrels, birds or jerboas.

If the fox does not find meat, it begins to eat fruits, vegetables, herbs in order to maintain the vitamin balance of the body.

The steppe species has many enemies: other foxes, predatory birds, wolves. Korsaks run fast and run out of steam. Therefore, they become a living gray predator. Korsaks are listed in the Red Book. People appreciate their warm fur.

Mountain foxes

The body length of this breed of foxes reaches 90 cm. Tail length: 40-60 cm. Mountain foxes live in caves, cracks, gullies, badger burrows and hollows. Their diet consists of rodents, birds, insects, fruits, berries. In winter, they do not disdain carrion. In the spring, predators become active, attacking roe deer and mouflons. A large number of mountain representatives were recorded in the Crimea.

Foxes are the regulators of the number of harmful insects and rodents that infect vegetation.

Sand fox

Lives in deserts. This species is distinguished by wide ears, paws, protected by fur pads from overheating. The body of the fox is slender (up to 4 kg), sandy, adapted to survive in the desert. Foxes can be satisfied with the moisture obtained from the trophy for a long time. Being omnivores, they eat everything that comes their way (beetles, eggs, reptiles, roots, food waste).

There is a legend that foxes can extract moisture from the air using the night breeze.

Sand foxes actively use the scent glands of their body. The greeting begins by sniffing the anal glands. These same glands protect from strangers: foxes, like skunks, move back and spray the enemy with a specific secret.

Foxes live in large families. They take turns patrolling the territory, marking it with urine. The size of the patrolled area is 70 km². Sand foxes are killed in order to obtain fur. The Bedouins use them as food.

Polar fox

The body length of the Arctic fox is 50-75 cm, the tail reaches 30 cm. The weight ranges from 4 to 6 kg, although there are also overweight representatives of the species - up to 12 kg. Arctic foxes differ from foxes by a seasonal change in color: in winter the coat is snow-white or blue, and in summer it is brown, reddish-black. The paws of the Arctic fox are squat, buried in the wool. The polar fox's ears are shorter than those of other fox species.

In winter, Arctic foxes wander in search of food: they go to the coasts of the oceans and seas.

In summer they are sedentary. One arctic fox can control up to 20 km² of territory. Like all canines, they live in burrows. Choosing a place on a hill, they are protected from flooding the dwelling.

In winter, Arctic foxes do not use burrows; they dig a depression in the snow. Animals are characterized by persistence. They do not run away from large predators, but only run away to the side. When an opportunity arises to snatch a piece of meat, the Arctic foxes again approach and take their own. They calmly carry polar bears next to them, sometimes make their way into human settlements, take food from domestic dogs. Arctic fox loves active hunting, but also do not miss the remnants of someone else's food. If not hungry, they bury the obtained food under the ice.

The main enemy of the Arctic fox is hunger and lack of food. It is for this reason that they do not live to be old. Among the inhabitants of the North Pole, a bird of prey, a wolf or a raccoon dog can harm a polar fox.

Lifestyle

Single-handedly or in a flock, foxes occupy an area capable of feeding them, providing holes. Burrows are rarely pulled out by themselves, more often they use empty ones, after burrowing animals.

The dwelling is often covered with dense thickets, masked by earth emissions, food waste, excrement. Permanent burrows are used only during the rearing period of the cubs. Hiding from the pursuit, they can settle in any available burrow.

Where does it live?

Predatory mammals live on almost every continent. The most common habitats:

• Europe;
• northern part of Africa;
• Australia, excluding the northern part;
• North America;
• Asia to the north of India.

What does a fox eat?

As a born hunter, the animal feeds where it lives. The type of food is determined by the area, season, age of the predator. Small desert dwellers react to the movements of small living creatures underground, attack rodents, and collect moisture from solid food. Polar inhabitants have adapted to eating algae, grass and blueberries when they are not getting meat. The common fox's favorite delicacy is mice. The cunning animal loves to climb into the nest of birds, eating eggs and hatched chicks. The steppe inhabitants feast on frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles. The Tibetan type of fox waits for the victim near the shelter or drives it into a trap.

Foxes stop hunting during the salmon spawning season. Dead fish last for a long time.

Reproduction and life expectancy

In the second year of life, the fox is ready for fertilization. Smaller predator species produce offspring by 10 months. Animals can have cubs up to 8 years old. Males mature closer to a year.

Animals choose the mating time so that the cubs appear in a warm period, when food is abundant. During matchmaking, males choose a female, arrange fights in her honor. When the foxes are in pairs, they frolic in the snow, bite each other's ears, and playfully push. They bear the young for 47-59 days. During the period of hunger, animals give birth to 1-2 foxes, and in a prosperous period - up to 16.

Life expectancy rarely reaches or exceeds the seven-year mark. In its natural environment, the animal lives up to 5 years old, dies for natural reasons or becomes a victim of the enemy.

Enemies in the wild

Despite the fact that wild foxes are cunning, cautious animals, they have serious enemies:

• wolverines;
• the Bears;
• wolves;
• eagles, golden eagles;
• large species of foxes;
• badgers;
• domestic dogs;
• leopards, cougars.

Cubs of predatory mammals suffer from attacks by crows, hawks, and owls.

Breeding at home

A fox can be turned into a friendly pet. She is trainable. The animal requires certain care:

• regular brushing;
• bathing;
• place to sleep (spacious aviary, bedding);
• daily walks in the fresh air.

Decorative chanterelle

Fenech is a cute animal with a capricious character. Weighs up to 2 kg, body length is 40 cm. The cunning animal does not mind playing with cats and humans. Fenech does not tolerate a sharp change in temperature. Smart animals quickly get used to the tray.

What to feed?

Fluffy animals are omnivores, get used to the human diet quickly. The basis of food is processed meat, offal. You can add eggs, berries, vegetables. Fenech's digestive system is not ready for fish bones and unpeeled fish.

How to contain?

When choosing a place for a pet, it should be borne in mind that the animal can jump and climb where it is not needed. In order for the active creature and the owner's house to remain in order, it is important to adhere to the rules:

1. Lock windows before leaving home.
2. Valuable, breakable items should be hidden.
3. It is better to lock Fenk in a cage if he is left alone at home.
4. The brushing procedure will help to improve the relationship between the owner and the pet.
5. Fenky cannot stand the cold. Temperature changes end in colds, inflammation of the animal's eyes, and often fatal.
6. They walk the fennec on a leash for small dogs.

Wild and domesticated foxes are curious. They calmly wait for the right moment and achieve their goal. Their behavior resembles fragments from fairy tales. The main character, approaching the object of interest to her, pretends that she is not interested in it, can lie down to sleep. As soon as the subject lost its vigilance, the chanterelle was right there.

In the darkness of a moonless night
The fox creeps on the ground
Sneaks up to a ripe melon.

Basho

Though foxand is a predator, but still her diet consists of the most varied foods. The fox is almost omnivorous.

No matter what conditions the fox finds itself in, it will always be able to find food for itself and adapt to the environment and human activities. However, they show amazing perseverance and ingenuity. That is why foxes are ubiquitous from arctic to tropical latitudes, living in a wide variety of conditions and geographic zones.

Redhead predators

Foxes do not limit themselves to any one dish, they can eat animals of more than three hundred different species. The main part of the diet is made up of vole mice, ground squirrels and other small rodents. Therefore, foxes are believed to bring significant benefits to agriculture by reducing pests.

Much less often, the fox is lucky in hunting for larger game, such as hares. Hares occupy a small share in the diet of foxes, although predators do not miss an opportunity to feast on long-eared ones and quite often catch hares. And when a hare pestilence sets in, they do not disdain corpses either.

Birds play a lesser role in the fox's diet in comparison with rodents, although the fox will never miss an opportunity to hunt any bird that has flown down, both small and large, does not bypass the laying of eggs, small chicks, and ruins nests.

According to popular belief, foxes like to visit chicken coops for poultry, but this happens much less often than is commonly thought, hunger forces predators to this when they cannot get other food. These forays are far less harmful than the benefits of fox reduction in rodents.

Mice

In winter, most of the food sources disappear, flies south, falls asleep deep in burrows, there is practically no plant food, and then the vole mice, always available, help the fox. In winter, you can often see a redhead predator performing an intricate dance on the field. This is mouse movement.

Having heard and smelled vole nesting, it begins to dance in one place, jumping up and down on its hind legs and striking the snow or ground with its front legs. Then it remains for her to catch the frightened mice running out of their holes. Sometimes she dives into the snow with her muzzle and can fall through the snow up to half of her body. Each such dive is rewarded with the presence of prey in the fox's mouth.

Not by meat alone

In southern Europe, foxes often hunt for medium-sized reptiles, in the Far East and Canada, living along rivers, they seasonally feed on salmon fish that were washed ashore after spawning. The fox hunts beetles and other insects with pleasure and dexterity in summer and eats a lot of them. These foxes bring great benefits to the forest and agriculture: by eating May beetles and their larvae, they keep the number of beetles within the normal range. Foxes are very fond of chasing May beetles, honing their skills and catching their favorite treat. He will not lose sight of the fox and the gaping fisherman, or rather, his nets with a fish.

Finally, foxes, for lack of something better, do not disdain various carrion, and in times of famine - and all sorts of garbage. Then they can be seen rummaging around garbage bins, garbage dumps, although they do not do this as often as people.

And for dessert

The fox's ability to feast on a wide variety of foods has become a part of folklore.

Almost all foxes eat plant food, especially in the southern territories. When the fruits are almost ripe

The red cheat fox, who is the heroine of many folk tales, has become the topic of our today's article. The fox is an animal that inhabits absolutely all continents; it adapts to a variety of conditions. In different habitats, this predatory animal looks different. Read on for the most interesting things about this red mammal.

Fox description

The fox is one of the most beautiful inhabitants of the animal world. In size, it is no more than an average dog, the color can be fiery red, and red, and black-brown. The tail of this predator is fluffy and long, on a long, narrow muzzle there are beautiful, smart and cunning eyes. The legs of an ordinary red fox, as a rule, have black "toes", the tail can be red or black, but the tip is always white.

Black-brown foxes are also common. Their fur is distinct in color and is one of the most valuable. Foxes are bred on farms for skins, which are used to sew hats and fur coats.

The foxes living in the southern territories are smaller in size than their northern relatives. Also, the northern ones have a brighter, thicker, fluffy coat.

The description of the fox as a red cheat in Russian fairy tales is completely justified. This is the most cunning and clever animal, capable of using various tricks in the extraction of food and confusing its tracks so that neither hunters nor dogs come out to him. Also, the fox is very nimble, fast and agile. She is able to escape from hunting dogs, to hide so that no one will find her.

Fox food type, food extraction method

The fox has not only a quick-witted mind, but also an excellent memory, perfect hearing. The fox is a predatory animal, and it hunts excellently. The red vole is able to hear, being a hundred meters away from it. She eats varied, and the diet includes mice, hares, amphibians, reptiles, and after the rain, she can eat earthworms. The fox is not only a hunter, but also a fisherman. Surely many will remember the tale where a cheat taught a wolf to fish with its tail. In fact, she does not fish like that, but with her paws and teeth, and she does it great.

The most favorite treat of the fox is birds. This predator is a frequent guest of chicken coops, and he is not at all afraid of a person. Fox burrows can be found very close to villages, and it gets along well with dogs. Also, this beast eats apples, berries and various vegetables with pleasure.

Foxes living next to humans do more good than harm. They exterminate gophers and mice, which cause significant damage to agriculture. When the cubs appear, they start eating May beetles, which are also malicious pests.

Each fox has its own individual area where it lives and trades. The predator jealously guards its territory, steadily bypasses. In most cases, she hunts at night and in the evening, but there are those who prefer daytime hunting, choosing only large animals, and do not touch mice and frogs.

Foxes in the mating season

In January and February, the beautiful fox rushes in search of a male. The fox's habits during this period are very interesting, the males make abrupt sounds reminiscent of a dog barking, and the females go to this call. You can observe the following picture: a fox is running fast in front, and several males are rushing after it in an effort to win its favor. Such a race cannot last long, and the males start real fights. The female, on the other hand, lazily lies on the sidelines, watching the duel, and goes to the strongest fox, who was able to defend his right to mate, dispersing the rivals.

After mating, the foxes' habits take on their former character, and they scatter across their territories, continuing their usual way of life.

Raising offspring

Despite the fact that after mating, the foxes disperse, by the end of the gestation period, the male dad looks for his beloved and stays with her to share all the hardships of raising the cubs. He digs a deep hole, feeds the fox, which during pregnancy is not so nimble and active.

Fox cubs are born completely similar to normal puppies. They are brown in color, but the tip of the tail is already white. By the twentieth day of life, the cubs are already large and are able to crawl out of the hole. The male becomes unable to feed the whole family on his own, and the female "leaves the decree", joins the hunt. They drag live small animals into the hole so that the kids not only eat, but also learn to hunt.

By August, children become completely adults and go in search of their own territory, adapting to an independent life.

Fox burrows

In nature, a fox does not always live exclusively in a burrow, but it has a huge number of such shelters. She can create her own house even on the territory of a big city or a piece of land on which a person lives. Burrows for the fox are a refuge in which it brings up offspring or hides from bad weather or danger.

The description of the fox in the fairy tale, where she took the bunny's hut, was not created by chance. Foxes love to take possession of someone else's "living space", especially comfortable badger minks.

The fox always has several holes: for brood, for shelter, and so-called hatching holes. In the first, as is immediately clear, the fox is raising cubs. This is a large "multi-room" hole in which the growing offspring will feel comfortable. Such "apartments" are being built far from people, on the slopes of ravines next to streams.

Refuge holes are adapted for long stay in bad weather. And diversion holes serve to get away from danger, for example, from hunters. These burrows have several entrances and exits, located far from each other. The fox will always strive for this hole if a chase is organized for it.

The fox diligently watches over all its dwellings. She visits each of them, refreshes, undermines additional space.

Molting period

The description of the fox during molting cannot be overlooked and put into the background. At the end of winter, the animal begins to climb rapidly and does not look so attractive. The wool sticks out in tufts, fades, becomes rough. But by May, the fox again becomes the ideal of beauty, acquiring a summer outfit.

There are also not quite healthy foxes or old ones, which even molt in June. Summer skins are not appreciated by fishermen, since they are practically devoid of undercoat. With the onset of autumn, the fur begins to thicken again, and with the first cold, the fox again acquires a thick, warm, shiny coat.

Elizaveta Patrikeevna, the fox Alice, the fox-sister ... As soon as this cunning beast is not affectionately called in folk tales. Today in our article is an animal fox, a description, a photo and a video about this amazing red-haired forest dweller.

Red fox (common fox)

The fox is the main character in many fairy tales, she is always referred to as a cunning thief, with a beautiful "fur coat" and a fluffy tail. Why is the fox called sly? Is she really like that, or only in fairy tales?

The red fox belongs to the Canine family. She has sharp ears and an elongated muzzle. This animal also has an unusually beautiful long-haired fur and a long fluffy tail, which serves as a "blanket" for the forepaws and nose while the fox is resting.

The size of this animal is average: the length of the body is no more than 90 centimeters, and the length of the tail is from 40 to 60 cm. The animal weighs from 6 to 10 kilograms. The age to which the fox lives in the wild is no more than 7 years.

In the red fox, the tip of the tail is white, and the legs have black blotches.

In nature, the common fox has different colors of wool, but on the farms where foxes are bred, there are representatives of platinum color and silver-black. Such rare colors are appreciated among hunters, therefore, if any fox who escaped from the fur farm enters the field of vision of the hunter, he will not stop until he catches it.

Red fox habitats

This species of fox lives practically on the entire planet, except, perhaps, the arctic tundra and islands. The red fox can be found throughout the Eurasian continent, in North America, the northern part of the African continent and even in Australia.

What does a red fox eat?

The fox is a predatory animal, so a variety of small animals can get to its "dinner table". Basically, these are rodents. Also, foxes eat birds, fish (in spawning rivers), carrion, insects and berries.

The fox's hunting methods are very interesting; it can adapt to the habits of any animal that has been "looked after" as food. For example, she can push a hedgehog directly into the water so that it turns around, and it can be grabbed by the abdomen, which has no needles. When there is a hunt for wild geese, here the foxes prefer to act in pairs: one distracts the flock, the other sneaks up at this time and attacks the prey in one jump. And she easily digs out rodents from under the snow, finding a place by sound. After all, it's not for nothing that foxes are known as cunning animals - what methods they do not invent to get their own food!

The hunt takes place around the clock, although the most successful time is twilight.

In general, the fox can be called an omnivorous animal. Its "menu" includes almost 400 species of various animals and dozens of plant foods. The scientists concluded that the population of red foxes directly depends on the number of rodents (especially field mice), since mice are the main fox food.

Hear the fox's voice

Many people know foxes as poultry stealers. Very often the fox sneaks into the sleeping place of chickens and steals them. Although birds are not considered the main food of the red fox, the animal often eats them. In addition to chickens, the fox loves the meat of wood grouses, geese and other birds.

Desert foxes have to be content with reptile meat. If there is a shallow river with fish nearby, then the fox will certainly come there to eat, for example, salmon. During the summer months, the animal eats beetles and other insects.

Plant food is of little interest to foxes, but in the absence of meat, the fox will be happy with fruits and berries, as well as any greenery.

Reproduction and offspring

The period of birth of puppies (the so-called fox cubs) is mainly considered the middle of spring. To breed, foxes dig a deep hole, but sometimes they can take someone else's. Usually one female gives birth to four to six cubs. Pregnancy lasts 44 to 58 days. After birth, the mother feeds the offspring with milk for about 1.5 months. When the cubs are 2 years old, they are already fully adults. Matured fox cubs are fed with live prey, foxes themselves kill "food".