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Call for questions: FOXES (Patreon)

Published:
2025-05-03 01:01:48
Imported:
2026-06

Content

They have triangular faces and scrawny legs and bushy tails. I'm talking foxes, and soon I'll be talking to a field researcher dubbed "the Jane Goodall of the gray fox." Post your fox questions in the comments and let me know if you're a first time question asker (FTQA)!

Deadline: Monday, May 5 at 5pm PST

Comments

Patrick W

Should we all just get the most obvious question out of the way?

RJ Doidge

Why does their bark sounds so different from a dog??

Sam Blue

ftqa! why do they smell like skunks? so cute but so stinky

Aubrey Nelson

What does the fox say? Okay but really can we talk about all of their different vocalizations?!? I love how crazy they sound

Adam Weaver

I would love to hear more about the Soviet era experiments to domesticate foxes carried out by Dmitry Belyaev. The idea of domesticating new species is really interesting.

Paige McLachlan

What does their family tree look like? If we went back 1000-2000 years, would they still look the same?

Danielle Zonis

Can you talk a little bit about the Belyaev foxes? How were they chosen for domestication and what remains of them now?

Zed Shirogane

What are your thoughts on the fox domestication studies? I believe there was a long term breeding study where they picked only behavioral traits towards domestication and started getting foxes with curled tails and floppy ears.

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

What's an unusual fact that most people don't know about foxes? Do the foxes on my security cams know how much I enjoy seeing them?

Mykenzie King

Why the hell did they make Vixey from Fox and the Hound so sexual?? Wait. Is that where we get the term foxy from??

Cassidy Sharp

FTQA: Channel Islands foxes- what’s going on? I think they’re descended from gray foxes? Did they get smaller on an island because they’re smaller than a bread box? When and how did they get there? Thank you!

Chrysalis Ashton

YES!! I LOVE foxes. Can you ask about their social structure? Are the females dominate? Do they have friends or are they solitary? I’ve had the opportunity to visit several fox rescues and pet/play with them!

Charlotte Parkinson

Why are their tales so floofy? I've heard they are mainly used to wrap themselves up and keep them warm, but then also something about signalling? What now?

Baylee Bug

What is a typical fox personality? Are they kind of like dogs or cats? Do they act or become affectionate with humans?

TheAmazingMissJ

Answer the age old question: what does the fox say?

Sarah Nyland

Not a question but I just found out that “Todde” is Middle English for fox, and guess what the fox in Fox and the Hound’s name is???

John Worster

I saw a fox chase down a rabbit, how fast can a fox run?

Jaclyn and her cat Phil

Does anyone else have childhood trauma because of The Fox & The Hound movie or is that just me? (Yes, this was indeed the first question I thought of when I saw the post haha!)

Ara Victor

I've heard that foxes are cat software running on dog hardware - is that true?

Iso Partee

I’ve heard that human fathers should take some notes from the fox dads out there!! What led the fox species to develop such strong mating bonds and a more equal share of parenting responsibilities?

Jaclyn and her cat Phil

But in other news I love foxes and their cute little faces so much! I can’t wait for this episode!

Connie DeFazio

Gray foxes? I thought all foxes were red??? What are the color variations?

Jo

What is your favourite fox? and how does one get into fox research?

Savannah McGuire

Why did red foxes flourish after being introduced to North America? How did it impact native North American foxes.

Lily

Why did foxes not evolve like dogs? Like why wolves best friend to humans and not fox? Fox is like cat meets wolf, perf.

Iso Partee

How do foxes show up in various myths/culture ? I know they are generally thought of as “tricksters,” but is there anything like the “friendly fox” lol

Lily

Why are foxes so stinky?

Colby Evans

Is there an advantage to the red color?

Lizzy Martinez

We have a grey fox visit our backyard occasionally, just passing through. Do/what cultures assign meaning to when a fox visits you?

Iso Partee

Also! Where did the word Foxy come from to mean sexy?

Ali Vessels

Many cultures around the world depict foxes as creatures of mischief and trickery. Do you think there's anything in their morphology or natural behavior that could explain this connotation?

Ara Victor

I know foxes have a long history in folklore in a lot of different cultures, oftentimes as a trickster, why do you think they're so often viewed as otherworldly? I used to see them all the time in the local cemetery and they did always feel a little ghostly.

Matt Hirschl

Their laugh: Why so cute. Evolution? Luck?

Claire Richie

As a previous London resident who had adorable fox neighbors, why are there so many in the London suburbs? How did they get there? Do they just like scones?

Nicky G

Why friend shaped if not friend?!

Alisha Harris

What can we do to help the local fox population? Is there something innocent that we all do that we don’t realise is actually harming our foxes?

the ren you know

Is domesticating foxes over generations and having them as pets a bad idea?

Ali Vessels

I was also wondering about fox musk. I've never smelled one but heard they have musk glands like ferrets and other similar animals do. True?

Christi Sullivan

I need to know about urban foxes who play on playgrounds! I live in a pretty urban/dense area and during lockdown we had a little red fox that hung out at the school playground across the street, sometimes going down the slide or crawling on the seesaw. It came back to the park frequently. I feel like I've seen other instances of foxes in parks - what draws them in? The raccoons and opossums in our neighborhood don't give a damn about the parks.

OnyxMonolyth

FIRST OF ALL: FUUUCCCCKKKKKK YEEEAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!! Secondly, evolutionarily, how did there come to be foxes in so many places? Are all species of “fox” related or are they just similar animals? What is that cute ass chuckling sound that they make? How are they distinct from dogs behavior wise? Why did everyone call the foxes I drew when I was younger cats? How does the existence of rabies in an area contribute to the public perception of foxes? How are they so cute? Also, keeping foxes as pets! How does one do that? Why is it illegal in so many states? How do we attract foxes to our yards to hang out? Should we do that or should we try to keep them away from people?

Between Dumplings

Kitsune are big in Japanese mythology, I think even shapeshifters. Are there other cultures where foxes are prominent in the mythology or religions? *fun fact: kitsune is also the name of the reddish brown fried tofu pouches that sometimes stuffed with seasoned rice or served in a bowl of soba noodles

MyLien LyTrang

do they think that long term domestication is possible like other canidae species or if they are more like cats which are domestic adjacent?

Raja

I was recently reading about how the Red Fox' range is increasing northward due to climate change and how they are now competing with Arctic Foxes for habitat, impacting (or potentially impacting?) Arctic Fox populations. Could your guest speak to that? I'd like to learn more! (Raja rhymes with papaya)

Dani Kirby

My friend Sam wants to know if domesticated foxes are happy. Like the ones we see where people have them as pets, are they able to get their needs fulfilled and thrive in that kind of captivity or is it harmful for them?

Keenan Dailey

Why don’t we have domesticated foxes as pets? I’ve heard that the fur trade bred docile foxes, but I’ve never seen one of these docile foxes for sale. I would buy one!

Ashley Brown

Which are they closer to, cats or dogs? They feel like almost a blend of the two

Dave Brewer

How did fox hunting become a key pastime of the English aristocracy?

Kelsey lore

I have heard a lot of mythology stories that associate foxes with the sky, any chance your specialist has any guesses as to why that is?

Pseudonym Jones IV

What are the structures of their dens? How many foxes fit in there?

Emily Shaye

FTQA: my boyfriend says foxes are just mean dogs. how true is this? i’ve seen some very ratty foxes and some very majestic foxes. what’s the majestic ones’ beauty secret?

Cate Muenker

Every year we have a fox family in our backyard. Their screams are very loud at night. Can you tell by the vocal pattern if it’s an emergency or just calling their pups back to the den? Yesterday, I swear I heard thunder rumbling in the distance at 2am then I heard the mom screaming through the woods to get her kits back before the storm. So essentially, what does the fox say? 🤪

Dave Brewer

How closely related are new and old world foxes?

Organic Free-Range Lily

1. I heard about the Russian experiment to domesticate foxes, which resulted in brown fur and very friendly disposition. Where and how can I buy one of them as a pet? 2. Is there something specific that makes foxes such cunning carnivores, or is that a niche that would've been filled by some species in any case?

Ashley Brown

Semi related- the pouncing/burrowing type traits I have observed in mine and close family's pets and obviously they serve a similar purpose but why are foxes So Good at being Boingy ?

The Joyful Spitfire

I am so excited!!! foxes are my favorite. My question - what right did Maid Marian in Disney’s Robin Hood have being the most beautiful fox to grace the screen? I want to be her when I grow up 💜

Pascal Perron

Is it true that they can’t snarl? I’m not even sure if it’s the right word. But apparently they can’t just show their teeth like a dog, so they have fully open their mouths to show they mean business.

Sydonie S.

For the first two years, I lived in my house, I had a fox that had a den right nearby. The kits would play in my yard, it was adorable to watch. But then, they all just disappeared. So my question is about fox dens. How long do they live in one place? Are they multigenerational homes? Why would one be abandoned?

Dawn Morse

We have red foxes that live on our property, and we enjoy watching them on our cameras. I read they will eat fruit and veggies, and so started chunking produce that is damaged from the garden out where I see them, and they eat it! I've seen them eat tomatoes, cucumbers, and cantaloupe! Is this normal?? I somehow expected they would only eat meat like rabbits, birds, and mice?

Benjamin Pender

FTQA, long time listener. Can you share some about their different vocalizations? Sometimes they sound like a child screaming in fright at night and it has terrified people around where I live. What purpose is this sound for and what others do they make? PS: Aubrey Nelson has a similar question I tried to find something similar to what I hear from the California Gray Fox online but you are so good at finding good audio clips. Here is the closest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIyOiwGfJ1I&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

the ren you know

I saw a mom fox and several kits in my yard, so I looked up their danger to cats, as there are several in my neighborhood. The internet says they basically leave cats alone. Why are coyotes such assholes when it comes to cats, but foxes are chill??

Steven Hansen

Has there been any recent discoveries about the direction a fox is facing when it dives for a field mouse under the snow? If I am not mistaken, when they are facing North, the odds of them catching a mouse substantially increase.

Erin Gunderson

The voocalisation! It kills me! How does fox communication differ from other canids??

Kittens8myhomework

I cared for melanistic foxes at an animal rescue and I'll never forget my first time meeting them, they sounded like looney toon characters. Why do they sound like they are chuckling? Are they mocking us for our lack of beautiful, bushy tails? Is it common among all types of foxes?

Between Dumplings

Do they hunt by sound or smell - it seems those may be more primary than sight?

Kate Timms

Foxes are my favourite animal! I’ve seen at least one case in the UK of two female foxes raising their kits together as one family. Is this common?

Steven Hansen

Is it ok, and if so, does a fox make a good pet?

Levi Morris

After they disperse, do they stay connected or keep up with their litter mates (fox siblings)?

Quinn

From my best friend (and FTQA): is there the possibility of foxes getting domesticated? There’s been whispers of stuff like that happening in Russia, so is there a chance we could see domesticated foxes in the future?

Kaeli Duffy

I just found last week that we have a red fox den in our backyard here in central Florida. I thought it was a gopher tortoise burrow this whole time. Can it be both? Could it have previously been a tortoise burrow ? We've seen the fox around but only recently witnessed the babies standing at the entrance of their hole at dusk. With more of them growing up in my backyard do I need to be worried about my dog or cats interacting with them? Yes I know it's bad for my cats but some of the rescues just demand to be free or they'll cause chaos. Thanks!

Shannon Patterson

Okay I know this is off topic but why does everyone have a childhood crush on foxy Robin Hood? Also I have a tattoo of a girl foxy Robin Hood.

Marla J

The foxes in my yard hang out at night with raccoons, skunks, and the occasional possum. Are they friends or is this just safety in numbers? There are a lot of coyotes and bobcats in the area too.

Kristyn Remme

I read that foxes can use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate. Is this true?

Chris Curious

I've heard they were more abundant when there were more wolves to control the coyote population. Is that true?

Kittens8myhomework

They are called melanistic foxes. Due to a gene variation that causes them to look grey/peppery. They are super cute, I've worked with them before.

Iris Hutchings

What makes foxes not totally afraid of humans?

Kelsey lore

Thank you for a fox episode! I love foxes so much! 🥹

Biscuits and Gravy

Why do people refer to attractive women as foxy? How did that start?! Do people think foxes are sexy or something??

Captain Hank

I used to work in Denali National Park where historically there was a fox farm near Riley Creek. Do you think that in operations like this once they were shut down that the foxes were released and that maybe human interaction with such foxes becomes problematic due to their prior domestic-ish lineage? I’ve seen that it’s pretty quick that foxes can become domesticated but how quickly does a fox become un domesticated?

Colby Evans

Are foxes closing in on domestication all by their lonesome?

Riley

Why are foxes seen as so sneaky in media compared to any other animal? Are they more sneaky than other hunters?

Shannon Patterson

My friend Gord says foxes are dog hardware running cat software. What does the expert think?

Olivia Flick

Do foxes and coyotes overlap territories or do they prefer to keep their distance?

zackever8

What do foxes tend to symbolize around the world? I know that Japanese Shinto culture views foxes as spiritual intermediaries with the deity Inari, for example.

Margaret Aisenbrey

I see a fox very regularly on my walks! He always within a two block radius and I want to know whether he probably lives around there. Will he have one den or many? When does he sleep (All at once? Little naps?) What's the chances he's got a lady and some babies? I saw him with a dead rabbit. Did he kill the rabbit or could he be scavenging it? Why is he laying in the middle of the busy road? I know there's no cars coming, but doesn't he prefer grass for laying down? I sometimes think he's just enjoying himself. How much of his time is he actually spending hunting and how much is he spending just enjoying life? Does he loves the smell of flowers? I just want a full picture of the day of a typical urban fox.

Lynette Dávila

How do they change their hair? Like go from brown to white. Do they shed the brown and replace it with white or does it start growing white like my gray hairs when I find new ones.

Tony Vessels

How many kits in a litter? Do fox families stay together? What are generally the roles of the mother and father?

Lynette Dávila

I think it's cause of the booty shaking when they walk.

Tony Vessels

In domestication practices, are there examples of people breeding foxes with dogs?

The Joyful Spitfire

Do they want to be my friend the same way I want to be theirs? I hear tell there is a domestication effort being made. Is that… actually possible?

Death Nell (Nellaenora)

Might be a tad off topic, but where did the cultural idea of foxes being tricky, sly, conniving, etc come from, and why do we think those traits are often active to foxes *more* than other animals that may have seemed to human eyes to have those traits? Basically, why are we so obsessed with them? (Said as someone who absolutely loves foxes.)

Lynette Dávila

I want to know the answer to this so bad. I know they're friends.

Keely Rivas

FTQA: I have two. Are foxes generally more social animals? And would you say their personalities are closer to dogs or cats? Or both? Can’t wait for this episode :)

The Joyful Spitfire

Was the song “what does the fox say” a net positive or not for the foxes? 🦊

Death Nell (Nellaenora)

Why do they make such cursed noises? What are their closest living cousins, and who was the most recent common ancestor?

Batty

First time question asker here! I recently read a fascinating book about the evolution of teeth, and learned that a species of fox has more teeth than any other land-living non-marsupial mammal. Why do bat-eared foxes have so many teeth?

Kathleen

How are there so many foxes in different geographic regions?? What makes them so adaptable to different climates?

Timmy H.

Wait I’m so excited. Literally have a fox tattooed on my chest.

Sarah Nyland

Ooh I’m curious about this one too!!

Timmy H.

WHY DO FOXES SCREAM?

Potato Puffer

Why are there so many chill foxes in England? I feel like I alway see Brits posting about foxes hanging out in their gardens or in/around their houses lol

Sarah Nyland

That’s interesting b/c in my northern Canadian town people always warn fellow cat owners when foxes are in the area! Maybe the warnings are unfounded…

Sarah Nyland

Awww thats cute to think about

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Why does the movie The Fox And The Hound continue to emotionally wreck me 30 years later 😭😭😭

Lisa Gorman

Once when walking my dogs I heard what I thought was a small dog barking, but then saw it was a red fox. Why do foxes bark?

Emily Stone

First time question asker! I've read that areas with lots of foxes have less Lyme Disease because the foxes eat the small mammals who are reservoirs for the Lyme. Is that true? Should we all encourage more foxes in our woods?

Caroline Fox

As someone whose last name is Fox, I am thrilled about this episode and wracking my brain for a good question…

Lisa Gorman

How are foxes doing as a group in the anthropocene? Do they tend to do better than other candid species or does it vary by species?

Lisa Gorman

I have seen red foxes playing with each other, and it's the cutest. Do they ever try to play with other animals like dogs? (Young coyotes have been known to do this so it made me wonder about foxes)

ScienceInTheArt

Are foxes genetically distinct from other canines? I think I heard this and that they can't interbreed with dogs.

Katrina

FTQA (well, second, I think, but I didn't know how to identity myself back then): Why is their poo so rank? I live in Ireland and my dog LOOOOVVVVES to roll in fox poo. I had to find a post-skunk spray wash formula on a US website to get rid of the stench. They are so cute! Whyyyyy do they stinkety stank so hard? (♥️ all the wee stinky foxes, as my avatar clearly shows!)

mish the fish

how do you feel about swiper from dora the explorer?

Sohja Howen

(FTQA) how are foxes different to domesticate than say wolves

Tishangela Nierman

Foxes show up in many ancient stories from several different cultures. Is there a reason for this, other than foxes are wonderful and mysterious?

Amanda Regan

why are their tails so fluffy? and, are they nocturnal?

Eli “the Fish Guy”

What has been your favorite experience in the field? What other wildlife have you worked with?

Eli “the Fish Guy”

I’m currently pursuing a degree in wildlife ecology and conservation biology, and I really want to specialize in mammalian predators, namely either big cats or cetaceans. How did you end up specializing in foxes? What steps can a student take to specialize in specific animals?

Lizzy

Why do we think they’re so cute?

ariel.vanzandt

What is a "True Fox" and how are they different from other foxes?

Jani Rounds

Ooooh I would like to know more about the fox-domestication experiments in the former USSR! Also, are different species different in their social structures?

ariel.vanzandt

What is gestation like for foxes? Do they have big litters of kits?

Kittens8myhomework

It could be! Gopher tortoises are keystone species and their burrows are used by hundreds of other species.

ariel.vanzandt

I feel like I only really know about Arctic and Red foxes. Are there lots of species of fox? How varied are they?

Lauren Gray-Metzger

FTQA! Please rank the animated foxes for science: Swiper, Todd, Robin Hood

ariel.vanzandt

I know they are in the canidae family, but do they also have ties to mustelids? (Because of the muskiness)

Mimz

Omg I'm so excited!!!

Marc Rubin

So pumped for this episode! It's been a long time coming! I've heard that foxes are dog hardware with cat software. How accurate is this? We have a family of foxes that live near us in Gunnison Colorado and it's the absolute best! They are mystical creatures! Also, please do an episode on veterinary gerontology with my lovely wife Dr Ashley Portmann of home together vet! https://www.instagram.com/p/C25Ni0EOp3q/?igsh=MXVwdG1vZDA2NGp5dA==

Damsel Cosplay

Are they truly what happens when a dog evolves into the evolutionary niche thats typically inhabited by felines?

Riley Mac

FTQA and fox-conflicted individal, they're hella cute but one ate my childhood pet cat RIP Pushkin - anywho, are urban London-esque foxes noticeably distinct from their rural and wild cousins now ??

Margo Hayes

What DOES the fox say???

Hasley

FTQA: there's a married couple that comes into the private park behind my apartment every spring like clockwork, birth and raise their babies, and then leave until the following Spring. Is that normal fox behavior? How habitual are they? Fun fact: I now own a reddish pittie dog that I found in that park last spring as a dumped puppy. When I first glanced her coming out of the bushes, I thought she was a fox. If I accidentally walk my dogs too close to where that fox family lives, do I need to be concerned about fox aggression? How angry will they be?

Laney

Where did the word “foxy” come from?

Matt Thompson

Don't forget the most Fantastic Mr. Fox

KayQuimi

FTQA: have you gotten to handle tiny baby fox kits in the field and how did you survive the cuteness?

Eli “the Fish Guy”

How do you feel about Timothy Treadwell’s interactions with foxes?

Matt Thompson

Do they have a preference on different eggs? And have they been found to eat reptiles/amphibians as well?

Amelia Heins

I keep seeing social media accounts of people with foxes in their homes. Is domestication something that's becoming accepted/allowed? Or are these most likely cases of rehabilitation where the fox can no longer survive in the wild?

Emily Gilbert

Why do their happy noises sound like laughing? (I love it! It is the cutest sound)

Sonjabird

Thoughts on The Fantastic Mr. Fox? I think his name is well deserved.

Zoë Dunham

Wildlife biology student, and I second this one

Zoë Dunham

Are foxes actually aggressive towards humans? I was observing a fox on my college campus (we get tons in the middle of the quad at night) and this girl said she was attacked by one. I’ve heard people say they’re scared of them, yet they seem more scared of me when I try to take their photo. Are they naturally aggressive towards humans, or are they more scared of us? Can I give them a little scratch behind the ears, because I feel like they would love it

Karloz Javier

1. Foxes have been my favorite animal since I was conscious enough to have a favorite animal! 2. What are your thoughts on foxes being viewed as pests??

Kai

Is the gray fox a fox? What is a fox and where does latin taxonomy with vulpes and canidae come in?

Kai

What are your thoughts on the Russian farm-fox experiment in Siberia? Foxes are the best ^^

buttersnotches

FTQA: Why don’t foxes live in packs like wolves and some other canines?

Pamela Vorce

My daughter wants to know: people have said that foxes are “domesticating themselves.”I know that as cities expand, foxes are being forced to adapt to urban environments and often experience habituation. But is it true that they are evolving to appeal to humans?

Amesia Doles

I have had experiences with foxes where they seemed extremely not shy. Are they just used to people? Or are they naturally beautiful AND confident?

Staci Pinkowitz

Omg there’s a fox in my neighborhood who seems to follow me and my dog when we’re walking at dusk. Not super worried for myself but my dog is a little guy and a fox could certainly fuck him up but he wants to be friends with the fox. I’m erring on the side of caution here but is there a genuine chance that the fox is approaching with curiosity and friendship? Extremely excited for this ep

the ren you know

tbf it seemed like foxes could be a problem but that they're unlikely to go after a cat unless they're starving cuz cats put up a fight 😅

Staci Pinkowitz

How long do the mamas hang with the babies for? What is their mating situation like? Are foxes getting divorced or having a number of one night stands or are they deeply in love forever

Staci Pinkowitz

Yes on elaborating on the role of foxes as tricksters in western folklore and general cultural significance across the world

Staci Pinkowitz

Alsoooo how many species do we have here on earth

Aidan McDonald

What causes different coat colors in red foxes? What's the difference between red foxes on different continents, such as japanese foxes vs american foxes? Opinions on the japanese fox island? Are foxes in england that behave almost like raccoons in places like the USA on the same path to domestication as housecats were?

Sara Rocero

Did people before us try to domesticate foxes? Did they realize we’re just a bunch of cunts and tell us to fuck off?

Pink Puppy

Does the ecosystem card game capture the role of foxes well?

Jae Steinbacher

Another fox lover here (I have two fox tattoos! A red fox/kitsune and a fennec fox). Can you tell us about their distinctive markings and the advantages of their bushy, white-tipped tails?

Seán Thomas Kane

Would the ologist be able to discuss the names of foxes in different languages, and if they reflect foxes relationships with dogs? In Irish we have two names for this species: madra rua (red dog) and sionnach (pronounced shin-ach).

Jes Woodard

Why are they so cute, and why are their cackles so evil? How many pups does one fox mother have?

fleeby

Yes, this! How widespread are they and why are they so widespread?

Naomi Jane

I can't believe more people aren't asking about THE NOISES?! I'm in the UK, and at certain times of the year they make sounds like a dozen crimes being committed all at once in my neighbourhood. They scream and cry and howl like nothing else on the planet, and I'm fairly sure police must get calls of concern for life. Why they do this? Are they okay?! 🥲 Anecdotally, I find them super eerie, and there were so many roaming around during lockdown it felt very dystopian. Am I right to be a little fearful/spooked by these ethereal cat-dogs or nah?

fleeby

How do I keep my chickens safe in a way that is not harmful to the foxes? How deep can they dig? Do they climb at all? Haven't had any trouble so far, but my neighbor saw a fox just this week!

Naomi Jane

I wanna know this on behalf of my husband's late doggo, who liked nothing more than a good roll around in fox poop before proudly walking to heel for the first time that week.

James Nance

Are they more closely related to cats or dogs? Or something completely different? Why do I feel like they are my spirit animal?

Hannah Gorrie

Are they solitary or do they live in family groups? How big is each or each family's territory?

Hannah Gorrie

Is it easier to ask where on earth foxes are not found?

Silvia Triverio

As a kid we had a cat that had kittens and my parents told me they were killed by a fox. Now I have 3 cats and I live by a forest and I regularly hear foxes as dawn and dusk. Should I be worried for my cats? Even though one evening I came back home to find my most fearful cat sitting in the garden with a fox like it was a tea party?!

Alice Rubin

What does the fox say? (I'm so sorry...)

Alice Rubin

Are foxes at the top of the food chain? If not, who predates them?

Nathan Marion

Where are foxes most common? It seems like we don’t see them often in North America but it seems like in the UK they are seen a lot. What is the cutest thing foxes do?… and why is it Arctic foxes jumping face first into the snow!

Max G

Is there an evolutionary explanation for why they feel like the halfway point between cats and dogs?

geo.sassie

Are they genuinely domesticating themselves in the UK? Also, is cross species play common for them? I personally have a local one who is very friendly, he will chase golf balls, follow you for short walks, and best of all he did proper zoomies like a dog once. I've also seen him try and get a deer to play (the deer did not like it).

Emily Krieger

would like to hear the etymology of foxy as in foxy lady

Natalie W

It is baffling, but also same? Kind of wonder if it was because he was the main character OR if he maybe treated Foxy Maid Marian like a person instead of an object to be rescued? But idk if we were that smart as kids? Now, I want to rewatch it to see if I can pinpoint it!

Natalie W

Non-animated TV/film pop-culture reference: Any thoughts on the fox in Fleabag that haunts/taunts the [Hot] Priest?

Rosamunda

Red foxes: why not always red? And when red, why so red?? What is the evolutionary advantage? Thank you so much! FTQA here

Olga Kolesnikova

I live in Brighton UK and we have so many foxes here. They're really curious and friendly, there's one fox who often says hello to my dog when I'm walking him. It gets really close but not close enough for their noses to touch. Do you think the fox sees my dog as a weird fox?

Olga Kolesnikova

For real! They basically sound like banshees sometimes

Deli Dames

Do foxes travel solo or in packs? Do they make good pets or is that bad for them? How smart are foxes compared to other animals? What animals are foxes most related to? Why do a lot of cultures portray them as mischievous?

Spicy Native

What do their beans smell like? Doritos? Dirt? Are the beans soft and squishy like cats or more hard and padded like a dog?

Rachel von Morrigan

I live in a suburban area and I have a mama fox that likes to hang out in my side yard (Yes, she has kits every year and yes, they are all adorable). Is there anything I can do to support her continued visits without putting her in danger or messing around with the ecosystem? I don’t want to feed her or anything. I just like seeing her and want to make her welcome.

Marianne Thomas

I was wondering this. I once met one on the way home from a night out. We walked together a short way, she sniffed my coat, then she spotted some fried chicken & left. I've often wondered whether she wasn't quite right (e.g. toxoplasmosis) or whether she was just so used to humans

Marianne Thomas

That's low key adorable. As a vet, I can say foxes attacking adult cats is not something I've seen. Though people often mistakenly blame foxes when their cat's had a scrap with another cat. Be sure to stay on top of your cats' parasite treatments though! Needs vary based on lifestyle

Marianne Thomas

Hi! Just a couple of tips incase you don't get an answer. Yes, they can jump & climb pretty high. My chicken run has a mesh roof despite being about 6ft high. On advice we also have mesh on the ground extending about 2m outward from the edge of the run (this is an alternative to burying it deep, because our garden is very rocky). We've always had foxes in the garden & only ever had one youngster cause any trouble. Lucky for us, they have plenty of easy prey & they also help with eating the fruits & beetles!

Marianne Thomas

Does sionnach mean anything? In Welsh they're Cadno (also my dog's name, because she looks like one) and llwynog (llwyn meaning hedge. Not sure what "of" is for, but hedgehog is draenog and drawn means nettles, so it probably means something)

Marianne Thomas

Vet here. Their eyes are so blue. Just. I can't even. I've only handled a cub once. It was adorable & we did absolute minimal handling so she wouldn't habituate to us. Which probably made it easier not to get sucked into the cuteness honestly. Those eyes though 🥹

Leila Laco

What DOES the fox say? Do different species make different sounds? How much of their communication is vocal Vs body language, and is this similar to dogs?

Leila Laco

There have been studies comparing the morphology of urban and rural red foxes in the UK suggesting the urban ones are evolving different head shapes and other features more suited to city scavenging. Have similar effects been seen in gray foxes in North America, or other species that are found in cities in other parts of the world? Does this mean foxes are "self-domesticating"? Here's a good article from 2020: https://www.science.org/content/article/urban-foxes-may-be-self-domesticating-our-midst

Lydia Trom

Hi Allie..I'm a first time question asker and your show fills my day with wonder. My question is for my sister in law who lives in rural Iowa, with lots of open land and a stream. She would love to receive tips on how to help foster an environment that would be intriguing to foxes.

Leila Laco

I'm curious about this too as a UK listener - here they do much better in urban areas (which I've heard is due to higher persecution rates in the countryside), but in N America it seems to me like racoons fill that trash-eating niche?

Leila Laco

What does your dog think of the fox? A few months ago I was walking a family member's 2 year old shit zu cross in inner London UK after dark, and he (the dog) stopped walking so he could stare at, then perform a play bow to, a juvenile fox on the other side of a high metal fence. All the fox did was join in the staring contest then left when I was trying to persuade the dog to move on. This dog is very un-fox-like so I do wonder what the fox thought of him!

Meagan Walker

I remember a National Geographic issue from 10+ years ago that talked about domesticating foxes. They said after enough generations of breeding the nice ones, they got floppy ears, curly tails, and spotty coats. Is this true?

Meagan Walker

How do they not hurt their eyes when jumping face-first into crusty snow?

Meagan Walker

They seem pretty coyote-like in many of their vocalizations, is there a lot of overlap with types of sounds they and coyotes make?

Meagan Walker

The question we all want to know - is it reasonable to keep domesticated foxes as pets?

Fuzzgoddess

Why do their vocalizations sound so much like human screaming? Does it provide some advantage in how the sound travels or something? Also is that just a particular call and they make other noises? Maybe ones that don't get so much attention on NextDoor.

Olga Kolesnikova

Mine is a shih tzu cross too! He's a shih tzu westie. He gets really excited about the fox and he wants to play with it but the fox never gets close enough it just stares at him and sometimes follows us around a bit. So I think my dog sees the fox as a dog but I'm not sure what the fox is thinking. My dog definitely doesn't look like a fox either lol

Rachel Roman

What even are foxes? It's like they can't quite decide if they want to be more canine or feline.

Her Ladyship Jen

Arctic foxes! Why is no one in this thread talking about them? Are they closely related to the foxes we see in more suburban habitats? How and why did they move to the frozen zone? So majestic. Just tell us everything about them. ❤️

Erica Flory

What is the collective nouns for a group of foxes?

FaeryJessa

How friendly are foxes to people? Asking for my seven year old 😂

Maureen Flood

I heard about foxes self-domesticating. What does that mean? Is it a good or bad thing for the species?

Clur 🌱

About red foxes, at least: WHY do they sound like THAT??

Chandler Witherington

I live in North Carolina and I’ve seen some orange foxes and some gray (also some that look like they are mange 🥺). Are those just color variations or do their coats change throughout the year?

Seán Thomas Kane

I believe it’s root is an older version of the word sean (pronounced shan) which means old. So the old creature?

Plural Z Alpha

FTQA: Are urban foxes hunting rodents such as mice and rats and helping to control the rodent population or are they just scavenging our garbage? Our neighborhood in the city has a couple of foxes that hang around and I don't see rodents as often as surrounding neighborhoods do. Is this just coincidence or are the foxes beneficial to us in this way?

Kevin Moyer

In terms of most recent common ancestor, are foxes more closely related to domesticated dogs or wolves?

Spencer Aldridge

Are foxes sexy? Why is "foxy" related to being hot? Are there other words we use related to the little guys, like sly?

Alia Myers

What sound do foxes make?

Alia Myers

What are foxes descendants of? Are dogs / wolves their closest relatives? Coyotes?

Alia Myers

From my bf: Does calling someone “foxy” have anything to do with actual foxes?

Alia Myers

From my bf: Do foxes travel in packs? Are they pack animals?

Alia Myers

How long do young foxes stay with their mothers?

Alia Myers

Do foxes have any relation to hyenas?

Alia Myers

What do they eat? Where do they live?

Alia Myers

From my bf: Are there any cases of foxes mating with other animals?

Alia Myers

From my bf: is there anywhere foxes are domestication? Are they generally considered an exotic animal/pet?

Alia Myers

How are they doing population wise? Should we be worried at all?

Andy Pepper

I know red foxes have encroached on gray foxes (and now Arctic foxes), is climate change making that worse? Do the two species ever interbreed, like coyotes and wolves?

Andy Pepper

What's up with the gray fox tree climbing?? Is it more to hunt or escape predation?

Carley Cross

I’ve noticed foxes living in very “now” urban areas, and assume they were there first. Can foxes thrive in places where we’ve built over their natural environment? How can we help them or should we just leave them alone? PS I love foxes SO much, they are so special. 🦊 ❤️

Callie

First time question asker, what are their habitats like, and what differences are there between the habitats of wild vs urban foxes. I live in the UK where you can see them a lot in the evening but I wanna know where theyre resting!

Callie

How many species of foxes are there and how do they differ? Thanks!!

Callie

How intelligent are they considered to be? In comparison with dogs and with other typically “smart”animals like crows

Nancy Ambrosiano

FTQA here: How is it that gray foxes can climb trees and red foxes cannot? Also, were red foxes introduced or are they in the US naturally?

Christina Hammarberg

How large can a red fox get? I live in northern NH, and there is a red fox in my neighborhood who just seems massive. It's tail alone is floofy enough to be another fox.

Anthony Richards

What are your thoughts on fox in folklore? For example the 9 tails fox in Japanese culture? Or the association between cleverness and fox.

bluebadger

I don't have a question but I have to tell everyone that in the spring of 2020, in the northeast US where Covid hit hard and fast, I was driving in the middle of the day on streets that were normally quite busy but were now deserted, and I saw a red fox with his fancy black dress socks on trotting up the middle of the road carrying a entire huge wild turkey in his mouth. He looked so proud and I was so happy for him, and this will forever remain one of my top all-time wildlife sightings because it was a flash of pure delight in a dark time.

Meaghan Ratcliffe

are foxes really as smart as we think they are? or is it just that they’re illusive so we assume they’re cunning but actually they’re silly lil orange fluff balls?

Marion Werkheiser

FTQA: I'd love to learn more about the Siberian fox study that tried to domesticate foxes. Do foxes make good pets?

Kieran H

Why are red foxes seemingly the raccoons of England but I very rarely see them in the US? Is it a matter of more room here, competition with raccoons and other critters, and just adaptation? I wouldn’t mind seeing a fox going through my trash can.

Kieran H

What’s up with the desert foxes with the weird human faces?! You know the one!

Deborah Gray

Are there any animals called foxes that aren’t foxes? How are foxes so elusive? Foxes live on or near our property, but we rarely see them. Why are they SO CUTE??

Susan Singley

I'm interested in learning about foxes in folklore. They figure prominently in many cultures but their roles seem to differ widely. From clever and wise all the way to deceptive, greedy, and dangerous. What's up with that? Also, why are foxes so shy and mysterious but also have terrifyingly loud sex parties?

Summer

l work in wildlife rehab, and we have a non releasable red fox who has a naturally kinked or curled tail like a Pomeranian. Can you please ask if this is likely from poor genetics even though she was born in the wild? Or is it more likely a case of “domestication syndrome” as she has been in human care since she was a juvenile due to mange?

Summer

also let me know if I can send a pic of the beautiful fox in question somehow!

Brittney Corrigan

I'm interested in the red fox population on San Juan Island (WA) that is genetically isolated and has many individuals with black and gray pelts, and variations thereof. How common is it for fox populations on islands to develop traits that are distinct to that group, and are these particular traits largely phenotypic, or are there changes happening on a deeper genetic level?

Riley M

It seems like foxes are a somewhat common "domesticated" pet, and it seems to be more socially acceptable to have a pet fox than many other wild animals (based on internet videos and comments). Is this an accurate representation of foxes as pets? Can all their needs be met as pets? Not asking for my own personal interest by the way, I would never want one in my house!

Brooklyn Baron

Eek, exciting! I’ve done some volunteer work managing wildlife cameras for an org that is studying the Sierra Nevada red fox in the Oregon Cascades, and I think it’s super interesting that many/most of these foxes are dark colored or a mix of red and black. Are the different color phases adaptations to different environments (ie. the long dark winters of the PNW) or is it more likely some sort of founder’s effect? Also, I’ve heard that gray foxes are (one of?) the most basal living canid species. Is that true? And if it is, what can we learn about canid evolution from them? Also also, what are their social lives like?

Tessa Lew

why are they so cute?!?

Kelsey lore

Symbolically, Foxes are kind of unique in that they are frequently depicted as prey but also as predators in a way that other animals aren't really symbolized. Should we associate them more as predators or as prey? Are there any other animals that come to mind that are depicted as both sides of that coin? 🤔

Kelsey lore

What is a fox's best sense?

Kelsey lore

Do you have any fox interaction tips? Like don't smile at gorillas, slow blink at cats, are there fox equivalents of body language that aggravates or sets them at ease?

Thedorknextdoor

Why are foxes (particularly red ones) such scream queens? 📣🦊

Beck

How wide of a range do they usually cover? I've seen them in suburbs but never in cities, is a city Park not enough space or are they in there and hiding?

joesyourmom

Im really curious how the niches of fox, mutulids, and coyotes interact. Are they all in direct competition?

Lauren Cooper

How do you feel about "domesticated" (heavy air quotes) foxes?

Lauren Cooper

Why do they make such HORRIBLE noises?

San Juan Josie

Are foxes ticklish? What’s their gestation time? Also, fleas?? They have been tortured by them.

MothxLamp

I've been waiting for this episode!! 🦊 Why are foxes so silly and cute? Also what are tips on encountering them in the wild? I was considering getting back into nature photography and would love to see one some day.

MagpieLaughs

I once scrolled past a social media post claiming there was a domestic dog - fox hybrid, which led me to some interesting reading (down a fox hole, as it were) on canine hybridization. It was surprising how many canine species could hybridize, but it looks like true foxes are off on their own evolutionary branch? Does interspecies hybridization play a role in natural fox populations where different species of foxes overlap?

San Juan Josie

Check out Andy Thorn Music. He plays banjo for his local wild foxes and they come and sit near him.

Jazmin Patino

I saw something on social media about foxes beginning to domesticate themselves. Is that true??! Could I potentially own an adorable little fox baby one day?

Heather Sakole

FTQA! Do foxes escort people out of their territory to protect their babies? I had an experience that felt a little scary where a fox very deliberately followed me and my dog a good ways after we accidentally came upon one night

Hannah Thorpe

How did gray foxes evolve to climb trees?

Hannah Riedl

Are they cats or dogs and why are they kitty puppies?

Nick Ahmed

FTQA: My partner loves fennec foxes and I had to look them up. She likened them to chihuahuas, so my question is do fennec foxes fill a chihuahua like niche? Big ears, small body, maybe just convergent evolution?

Ann Over

When raising her young (pups?), why does she change the location of her den? Can you tell me about the sex life of foxes? (Do they make weird noises like porcupines?)

Lauren R

My kiddo wants to know more about foxes living in cities. 🦊🌆 Photographer spouse would love to know specifically about where they like to hide & hunt in urban areas. I am curious if there’s anything we can do to support their conservation—can we set up (or remove) anything like how bats benefit from (appropriately placed) bat boxes, etc.?

Naomi Crawford

My housemate always jokes about bringing home the fox that hangs around our street in suburban Melbourne after he's had a night out. Please tell me why this is a bad idea so that I can tell him (I know he's joking but also) (maybe he's not)

KC

when and why did wolves and foxes diverge? (FTQA, unless my seaweed questions I submitted late make it into the episode)

KC

why do I see red foxes left and right but have never seen a grey fox? (FTQA)

KC

and why are coyotes and wolves bigger

fleeby

Thanks! That is super helpful.

Sue D

FTQA: do foxes really steal badger homes? And why does their pee smell so bad?

Dorian Gray

Do foxes understand mirrors?

Ashley Marrs

There are some videos of “domesticated” foxes that people pet and they seem super submissive - nervous tail flicking, lip licking, eye squinting. What’s going on behaviorally? Are they being submissive? fearful? Can their body language be interpreted as similar to dogs? Is there anything special about how they use their big floofy tail?

Quinton Randall

Why in fact do they sound like that??? They look like they should purr

Celia Moczo

FTQA! One time, my husband and I were woken up by the cough-scream-bark of what we think was a fox. The internet suggested it was an alarm call. Is this true? If not, what inspires this song of their people?

Kathleen Sachs

Truth or flim flam? Do foxes line themselves up with the Earth's magnetic field when they jump to catch rodents in snow?

Kathleen Sachs

What are the Ologist's thoughts on the Russan Fox-Farm Experiment in which breeders are trying to select for foxes that are more domesticated / dog-like?

Kathleen Sachs

Do fox mothers really eat the kits who do not survive?

Rob Brennan

My partner and I dream of having domestic fox friends, here are some questions on this: How is owning a domesticated fox different from having a wild fox or a domestic dog? Are foxes really as smelly as people say? And if so, is there anything you can do to manage the smell? How much open space does a pet fox need to stay healthy and happy? Is it ethical or advisable to keep a fox as a pet? What should people look for in a reputable fox breeder?

Moriah Bell

Why, oh why, does fox pee smell like skunk!?

Jennifer D Susskind

Are foxies dangerous to humans? In what way? (First time questioner)

Janika Mäki

Are foxes an invasive species in some areas?

Meeps

Hi - lover folklore and mythology here. How did foxes get such a bad wrap in all of our stories? The trickster fox seems to be a widespread theme and I have no idea how these cuties ended up here.

Kittens8myhomework

Their big ears help with heat control as they live in Africa 🙃

Annabelle

Is it common for foxes to make friends with other animals? I’ve seen videos of badger/fox adventures and dog/(wild) fox friendships! Why do these inter species friendships happen?

Clara Nungässer

Foxes in cites- are they adapting to urban environment ? How is the future (climate change and all) looking for them ?

Tim Barth

What are their personalities like? More 'lone wolf' or are they in packs? Mate for life or no? Also, why the bright red fur on red foxes? It seems to me that would be super visible to predators anytime other than fall in a forest. Speaking of, who are their predators? (FTQA)

Tim Barth

I have some forest in the eastern US. What are some simple things I can do to make it attractive habitat for foxes, and what might any drawbacks to that be? (FTQA)

Meghan A

What's up with mange? How is it transmitted and can it be treated? I see a lot of pictures of foxes with mange in my local wildlife Facebook group

Chris Lipford

Do you think they’ll ever be successfully domesticated into a good pet option? I hear the current domesticated ones pee EVERYWHERE! And are there any ethical concerns there?

Anumit Saralkar

FTQA :) Do they hear better than they see? Is that why their ears are so big?

Julie

Why can they jump so high? Why one can jump the highest? Are they solitary or pack animals? How rare are albino red foxes? Do they eat Berries like in Minecraft?

Alli B

What’s the largest prey a fox can handle?

Alli B

What is their gestational period?

Alli B

When did modern foxes evolve? What are their closest relatives?

Alli B

How do they care for their kits? How do kits learn to hunt?

Alli B

Tell us about fox holes. Do all foxes make them? How deep are they? What kind of family (or how many foxes) does one fox hole accommodate?

Alli B

Which of these terms for a group of foxes do you prefer? Skulk? Leash? Earth? Foxen? I may have made up the last one but honestly it’s my fave.

Alli B

In North America, what role do foxen play culturally for different first people groups?

Alli B

Tell us about the social lives of foxen.

Alli B

How many litters does a fox typically produce in its life? How many kit daddies?

Alli B

Are there any recorded observations of same sex fox families?

Alli B

How many states in the U.S. are foxen living in? Are they endangered or threatened by climate change, fires, etc?

Alli B

How many continents are foxen on?

Alli B

Why are their sweet tails so delightfully bushy? Does this serve a purpose?

Alli B

What is fox poop like? Do they use urine to mark territory?

Alli B

Any unusual coloring of red (or other) foxen? Albinism?

Philip Dunsdon

In a lot of fantasy, foxes seem to be a common familiar to witches. Is there a reason for that?

Moose

If a fox is out during the day, is that bad? Does that mean it has rabies or mange? Is this the same for foxes all around the world such as the Arctic fox or South American fox?

Hannah E

FTQA :) what are the social lives of foxes like?? Do they have best friends or longer term mate pairs? How do their language abilities play into this??

redheadedscientist

I have been waiting for this episode since 2018! I always view foxes as a good omen--the morning of my qualifying exams in grad school, I went for a run so I could calm myself down and give myself something to do besides reciting post-translational modifications of proteins in my head. It was a misty morning, and through the fog, I saw a fox silhouetted on the path in front of me. I knew this was a Sign from the Universe (tm). How do different cultures perceive foxes? Are they ever viewed as good luck, or as more of a trickster? And it's a bad idea to have pet foxes, right? (btw I passed my qualifying exams unconditionally that afternoon)

Erin White

Could we please hear all about the long-running Russian experiment to turn them into dogs? I would love for an expert to cover that. Thank you!!!

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Of all of the animals out there, how did foxes become associated with human attractiveness ("foxy" and "silver fox")?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) Are foxes really dogs that turned into cats when there weren't cats around to fill an ecological niche? (Can't remember where I heard this but it stuck in my head...) 2) Do they have a sense of humor? It seems like multiple cultures have assigned foxes a mischievous reputation- is this based in fact? Are they more curious than other animals? 3) I've heard about foxes adapting well to urban environments in the UK (not so much the US- do they stay away from humans more in the US?). Are they the raccoons of the UK? Why have they been successful in urban living? What could be done to help foxes and humans live together successfully? 4) What is the etymology of their scientific name? Who else is in the genus? 5) What do they usually eat in the wild versus in cities? Are they useful for pest control? Do they try to eat people's pets at all? Ever try to grab a small child? 6) Are there any ethical fox tourism farms? Is everything we see on social media suspect? 7) Why is the tip of the tail so often a different color? Does that serve a function other than making them super cute? 8) Are there any fox species we've been sleeping on that we should know about? 9) Are there ways for people to make their garden fox friendly? Is that a bad idea? What should you do if foxes decide to raise their babies in your backyard? 10) Are there any infectious diseases in particular that affect foxes? 11) How bothersome is it that a certain "news" station uses their name?

Morgan K

Hi, first time question asker, so excited for this episode! My daughter has a question: What is your favorite species of fox? Do you have a favorite fox that you've interacted with before, like a fox you know? Thank you!

Mr. Weevil

Are they closer to dogs or cats? What are their natural habitats? Have they evolved to live in areas with people or did we just encroach on their territory?

Emily Culver

Ditto to this, also can we have them as pets?

Sarah

First-time question-asker! Why do foxes make such weird breathy scream noises?

Sarah

My daughter wants to know how many kids of foxes there are.

Erin White

YES I hear that after a certain number of generations they bark and do happy wiggles

Lana Ferris

First time question asker: is it true that foxes hunt using the Earth's magnetic field? If so how do they do that?

ThymeOnMyHands

Yes, this! I have played a whole board game based on breeding foxes to be cute.

ThymeOnMyHands

Well I can't not ask... what does the fox say?

Mattea Orr

I keep seeing videos of foxes living in sanctuaries floating around online. How do foxes end up in them, and do they do well living in those settings? Also, why do they love eggs so much?

Figment

do the different flavors of foxes have different personalities? do they actually make good pets or is that rare and only on the internet? are they as sly and clever as people think? are there still british fox hunts? (hope not!) is there an evolutionary reason for the bushy tail?

Kirsten

what is the main way that foxes find their food? i know they are sneaky, but do thry mostly use eyesight, smell, or hearing to locate prey? also can thry see well in the dark?

Figment

yes, i live in roseville mn. at least once a week i have foxes on my cameras at night, usually around 2:30am. we also have deer every single day and night walking right up our street or through our yard.

Yvonne

1: Are all foxes allergic to linoleum? 2: Do foxes dig tunnels? 3: How long can a fox live without food and water? (Reference from “Fantastic Mr. Fox”)

the tangle system

why do they get such a bad rap? they’re smart and adorable, where did the villain narrative come from? how many different types are there? can i be friends with them? if so, how do i befriend them? are they soft? do they like pettins? can i smush my face in their fur and hug them and give them food and play with them? how little are baby foxes? what gives them their gorgeous colors and patterns? i wanna know allllll about their behavior and relation to other species, their evolution, how they grow and live

Amanda Thorpe

I live in London and we have A LOT of foxes in our neighbourhood. I'm never sure if it is the squirrels or the foxes that continually dig up everything i attempt to plant in my garden. When I lived in NY there were gardeners that specialised on advising which plants/ bushes etc. that deer did not like and was wondering if there are specific plants/leaves etc. that would disuade the foxes from coming into the garden. No one I have asked knows of anything. The only advice I have had was to have a male human pee around the perimeter of the garden. Thus far my son has refused to help us test this recommendation!

Donielle

What do we know about what their noises, calls mean?

Donielle

Ftqa: How differently related are the different species of fox?

Quinn West

We all need to know. What DOES the fox say?

Quinn West

Are they closer to cats or dogs? They look like an odd mix of both?

Quinn West

We are all wondering!!

CurtisDawg

Did the quick brown fox really jump over the lazy dog?

SilksMonkey

I have a dog breed called Tollers (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers) and it is said the tolling they do to lure ducks closer to the shore was something foxes also do and it's one reason why (so the legend goes, lol) the original breeders bred them to be red with white tail tips. Do foxes toll? I can assure you they scream exactly like foxes (don't google the Toller scream, just don't, lol)

Kait

Do a lot of cultures and languages have fox idioms?

Kait

Will the ologist be speaking about the domestic Russian foxes? (I only know a bit about them from the novel Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett but I’d definitely recommend that book!!)

Kait

Wait this may be for another episode, but why do humans think so many fluffy furry prowling predators are adorable? Are we being evolutionarily pranked?

Keiki Kohne

How do foxes' problem solving abilities compare to other canids like wolves or domestic dogs?

Keiki Kohne

Are foxes actually dangerous to humans or pets the way some people think?

Keiki Kohne

People often think foxes will destroy chicken coops indiscriminately, is that true?

Mouse Paxton

Why do they sound Like That? What's up with Belyaev's foxes? Would we ever see domestic foxes as pets? Do you have a favourite depiction of foxes in folklore/mythology? I'm partial to the Huli Jing. What are your thoughts on the foxes in Minecraft? Why do Tibetan Sand Foxes always look like they're lowkey judging me for eating a chip I dropped on the floor?

Han the Bee

Han(ah) the Bee: What is it about foxes that kept them from being domesticated in the way that wolves/dogs did? Is there evidence of this being circumstantial (wrong place/ wrong time) or is there something about fox genetics/ behaviors that makes them less willing candidates for domestication.

Al Hamm

I came on to ask about the domestication experiments also!

Rebecca Waer

(FTQA) Why are there so many foxes in London? Are they the England's coyote-equivalent? (And why aren't they running around everywhere here in US cities like coyotes?) LOVE this show and you and everything you do, Alie and Team Ologies!

leafygreenkale

(ftqa) why are foxes often portrayed as villains or not trustworthy in stories? for example, swiper in dora the explorer & nick wilde in zootopia

Yasmine Alu

why do they sound like that?

Anna

How many species of fox are there? Do they defend territories? How does it vary by species?

Anna

What do we know about how foxes communicate with each other?

GhoulNextDoor

What are their social lives like? Do they hang out with other foxes often or are they more solitary? Do they get around or are they fairly monogamous?

KristieAdventure

Yes, why do they sound like this!? Same happened to us years ago sitting on our back porch in Indiana. “Google” told us it was a “distressed red fox” - what a sound! Distressed indeed.

Restless Native

Where did foxes first evolve and how common are melanistic red foxes, please?

RotWeisseWaffel

How smart are they actually? They've got a good rep in old tales and such, but is it true? FTQA

Kurt Swanson

Do you have a favorite bit of folklore/mythology about foxes?

CurtisDawg

Seems that foxes get a bad rap in slang - "Sly as a fox"; "Fox in the henhouse"; "I got out foxed", "crazy like a fox". What up with this? Is this deserved? Or how about "She's a fox"?

Olivia Lester

Do foxes have a culture/sub-culture? Why do foxes "mousetrap" by leaping high into the air? What advantage does this give them? Can foxes recognize individual humans like some domesticated animals can? What role does a fox’s tail (brush) play beyond balance and warmth—could it signal social cues? Do foxes help control disease by preying on rodents, and could they be seen as natural pest control? Could the domestication experiment on Russian foxes help predict future evolutionary shifts in wild populations? Why are foxes consistently portrayed as tricksters across so many global mythologies (why not cats)? Why do Japanese kitsune legends link foxes to shape-shifting and spiritual possession?

Anjali Himali

Hi! I wanted to know your thoughts on the domestication of foxes study in Siberia. Would those foxes be considered domesticated? Can foxes be domesticated? Why are some traits like floppy ears and wagging tails found in both domestic dogs and foxes? Thank you!

S

Do they have friends?

samwambam

Whys is fozxy a “good” compliment compared to other ways fox is used?

Shawn Ross

Etymology question I guess—How did we get to the term “foxy” as related to physical attractiveness/sensuality?

Meg is Me

How closely related to dogs are foxes? Which dog breeds are they most closely related to? Is there much research on fox intelligence and problem solving and what findings have been made? I know im a couple of hours late (sorry)!! Maybe you'll accept mine anyway🤞 Ive always loved foxes and recently in art therapy used a fox to represent me in a piece, they are introverts by nature but so loyal and protective to their family amount many other awesome characteristics. I understand why they get a bad rap, we can all be mad at them when we wake up to find they've taken out our hens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs etc but they are amazing (I read a book called Foxspell as a child and seeing things from the foxes perspective changed my view)

Meg is Me

Such an interesting question- I love etymology so just had to do some research on this however I found no clear and definitive answer. However the word moved from meaning sly and cunning to sexy, but during this time the words sly and cunning were quite complimentary and combined a number of positive attributes (unlike now a sly and cunning person is not to be trusted) so my suspicion is a lady who was sly and cunning the way those adjectives were used at that time would have been a very desirable woman

Anna Stassen

I’m in Wisconsin and am currently watching a family of foxes in a den on my property that’s conveniently visible from inside my house. It’s a prime spot on the side of a ravine with great protection. The den has 4 separate entrances, and it seems to be reused every year. Last year she had 2 kids and this year she has 7! I am very used to the bloody murder screams but tonight (literally right now at 3am, which is why I’m asking this after the deadline!) I heard more of an arooooo aroooo sort of howl, like a dog. But it’s coming from the direction of the den. Is this a fox noise too, and what does it mean? Or is this someone else that’s too close to those babies? Do I need to go scare something off? Also, what do the insides of their dens look like? Last year there was only one entrance and this year there’s been major digging and now there are 4 ways in and out—did she know she was going to have a lot of babies this year and needed more room? Also! Is it the same fox in that den every year or did she add on to someone else’s house? Thanks!

yves Saint-Pierre

What is it with foxes and golf balls? They're on my golf course all the time and regularly steal golf balls on the fairways. Once, I was adressing the ball, about to take my shot, when a fox ran out and stole the ball from right in front of me. (The fox is my spiritual animal, BTW. I love them.) One more note on their cleverness. A dog will chase a squirrel until it runs up a tree, leaving the dog standing at the base of the tree looking up, panting and looking silly. A fox will intersect the line between the squirrel and the nearest tree and get it every time. I've seen them do it many times.

Olivier Calas

Fox vs coyote in terms of smarts…who wins?

Stephanie Coombes

On behalf of my son Thomas, how deep can their dens get? Also - why is their pee so smelly and why is their call so eerie??

Peggy Malone

One day I was hiking with some birders when all of a sudden, one of the older birders said— “Stop. I smell a fox.” So, we all stopped walking and a few seconds later, a fox passed across the path. That was the day I learned that foxes have a scent. Kinda skunkish if you will; and my life has been enhanced because now sometimes I can smell a fox.

Summer

also a first time question asker 🧡

Eileen Wang

FTQA! How legitimate is the Russian fox domestication project? As in, is what they’re doing to achieve domestication actually effective/realistic? What are your thoughts on media portrayals of foxes, anthropomorphic or otherwise, as sneaky, devious, etc.

Rachel

I am so glad to have learned this!

Addie Cappello she her

So sad I missed the deadline for questions 😔 can’t wait to hear about these cuties!

Leah Perlongo

Foxes have been a favorite animal of mine since I was a kid. I signed up for patreon subscription in order to be able to ask questions on this topic. ... And forgot to get questions in before deadline! Haha! I'm so looking forward to hearing this episode.

Leah Perlongo

Hmm... my question would've been about family structure. Is it really common for a female kit to stay with the mother through adulthood and help raise their mothers kits? Or did I just make that up as a kid?

C dB

Please touch on the Russians who domesticated then by breeding docile to docile, and tell us why mottled patchy fur patterns are related to domestication. Does the absence of wild animal life and hunting stress lead to chemical changes in hair follicles or something?

Amandragora

I want the plural to be “foxen” so badly!!

Erik K

Why do foxes like to steal shoes and other things from people's balconies (at least in the Yukon)

Mark Wilkes

My dog goes absolutely crazy if she smells a fox - her whole body goes rigid and she snorts! Why would they cause such a strong reaction?

Anisa George

FTQA Ruya Rothenberg (9-years-old) asks: at what time of year are they most likely to eat our chickens? We like to let them roam freely, but we've lost a couple.

Meg is Me

For context I'm from Australia so here they are an introduced pest that kill our native wildlife and are generally disliked/hated. It was so different hearing about foxes from the point of view of living in country where they belong. Looking forward to a red fox episode.

Amy Bowers

FTQA, every year in spring, a fox sits under the street light in front of my house yipping/screaming. Why? I don't see any other foxes around.