Red Fox (scientific name: Vulpes vulpes): it is a member of the canidae family and the vulpes genus. There are a total of 47 subspecies. Adult foxes are 62-72 centimeters long, with a shoulder height of 40 centimeters, a tail length of 20-40 centimeters,
Red fox has a great variation in fur color due to different seasons and regions. Generally, the back is brown-gray or reddish-brown, the abdomen is white or yellowish-white, the tail tip is white, and the back of the ears is black or dark brown. The black stripes on the outer side of the limbs extend to the soles of the feet. The males are slightly larger.
Red fox has well-developed hearing and olfaction, and it is cunning and agile. It prefers to be active alone and hunts at night. It usually comes out at night and hides in the den to sleep during the day. Its long tail has a waterproof and warm function, but in remote areas, it may also come out during the day to search for food. Although its legs are relatively short, its claws are sharp, and it can run fast. It can reach speeds of over 50 kilometers per hour when chasing prey. It is also good at swimming and climbing trees. Its main diet consists of ground squirrels and rodents, but it also eats wild birds, frogs, fish, insects, various wild fruits, and crops.
Once upon a time, the world was divided into the heavens, the mortal realm, and the underworld. The heavens were ruled by gods and spirits, the mortal realm was ruled by humans, and the underworld was ruled by ghosts and demons. In a place called Nanxiong in the mortal realm, there was a patch of red earth where a group of isolated dinosaurs lived. They moved with the sunrise and rested with the sunset, living undisturbed by the outside world for generations. Over time, they enjoyed the morning breeze and dew, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and becoming spiritual. However, in the chaotic world of ever-changing winds and clouds, all living creatures suddenly disappeared, and the dinosaur clan became extinct! The heavenly gods looked sadly at the unhatched dinosaur eggs and out of pity, they called upon a young fox to go to the red earth and guard the dinosaur eggs for life until they hatched. Through the changing seasons, wind, frost, snow, lightning, and thunder, countless years passed but the dinosaur eggs never hatched, and the young fox faithfully guarded them. It carried the burden of its mission and kept its promise, never considering leaving or giving up. It always believed that one day the dinosaur eggs would hatch in this beautiful red earth. Over time, it gradually faded from the memory of the world, and its fur became increasingly red. Eventually, it transformed into a beautiful "Red Fox" and continued to faithfully guard that mysterious red earth as a human.
The Red Fox is a protected animal and cannot be kept as a pet. However, if it is legally bred through proper channels, it is possible to purchase a Red Fox with documents for keeping. When keeping a Red Fox, it is necessary to provide timely shade, regular cleaning and hygiene, and give it baths to remove odors. It is important to maintain a balanced diet and avoid teasing the fox when it is not familiar with its owner, as it may result in aggression.
1. The nose of a pneumonia fox is dry and cracked, and it is thirsty with difficulty breathing. For the treatment of acute type, intramuscular injection of cephalosporin livestock 1-2 milliliters is recommended; for chronic type, intramuscular injection of clindamycin 1 milliliter and fluid replacement is recommended.
2. Canine distemper is an infectious disease caused by canine distemper virus. The infected animal has a high body temperature, refuses to eat, and has a dry nose. Nasal inflammation and conjunctivitis appear within 2-3 days, with sticky tears and nasal mucus, sneezing, and then neurological dysfunction and spasms occur. Treatment includes subcutaneous injection of polyvalent canine distemper immunoglobulin combined with cephalosporin livestock.
3. Pasteurelliosis, also known as hemorrhagic septicemia, is a disease in which the animal's appetite decreases, it is thirsty, vomits and has diarrhea with blood in the stool. The animal quickly becomes emaciated and severe cases may have paralysis in the hind limbs and necrosis in the neck. Treatment includes intramuscular injection of cephalosporin livestock.
4. Anthrax has symptoms such as a sudden increase in body temperature, foaming at the mouth, refusal to eat, unsteady walking, and in most cases, there is also hematuria and diarrhea. Soon after, breathing difficulties and seizures occur. Treatment includes subcutaneous injection of 10-15 milliliters of anthrax immune serum, 200,000 units of penicillin or 100,000 units of streptomycin. It is also important to eliminate sources of infection and vaccinate against anthrax.
5. Mastitis in animals is characterized by red and swollen mammary glands, cracked nipples, and refusal of suckling by offspring. When there is no necrosis, treatment can include warm compressions with Ban Nu Fluid and massaging the mammary glands, or intramuscular injection of cephalosporin livestock 3 milliliters, followed by sealing the mammary gland. Alternatively, 5 grams of herbal medicine Kangkang Chrysanthemum can be boiled twice a day and fed as a decoction. If there is necrosis, it is necessary to clean the necrotic area and administer intramuscular injection of penicillin.
Red Fox is not only a predator, but also an opportunistic omnivore, and even a "killer". Various wild rodents and wild rabbits, including field mice, house mice, vole, pocket gophers, and golden hamsters, are the main food sources for Red Foxes. They also eat frogs, fish, birds, bird eggs, insects, and even leftover food from animal carcasses and human waste, as well as wild fruits such as strawberries, acorns, and grapes. If there is excess food, they will carefully choose a hidden place, bury it, and disguise the area to eliminate any traces before leaving in order to avoid being discovered by other animals. Red Foxes like to play with their captured prey and often kill them all without releasing them, known as "killer behavior". The cause of this behavior may be instinctual, or it may be triggered by some kind of stimulus, or it could be a combination of both.
For feeding, it is still recommended to feed Red Foxes at regular intervals with a balanced diet. Adequate drinking water should also be provided. However, it is important to note that Red Foxes are very aggressive, so it is not advisable to provoke them randomly without proper training or domestication, in order to prevent Red Fox attacks.
Red Fox is not heat resistant, therefore, when keeping Red Fox in the summer, it is necessary to have temperature changes and take timely measures to cool down. Secondly, it needs to be groomed regularly, and cleanliness and disinfection should be done regularly. It needs to be bathed regularly to avoid any odor.
Pet Encyclopedia
