She wheeled them out....

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:56 am

Shanaghans at Oscar Towers and the Fox world...

Now typically, an Alpha Vixen and Alpha Dog will oust cubs from the family to preserve food supply at around 9 months old. They will disperse Into the area to take over old territories or start new one's.

The average life span of Vulpes Vulpes In the wild Is just 2 years old and why you will never rid land of Foxes...The social structure of the family dictates that as soon as one dies naturally or Is killed, a newly ousted cub will take over...

This was the norm at Oscar Towers for many years until about 2 years ago when one a cub was born deformed. We called him Runty and I spent many a freezing cold night standing over him while he ate to make sure the family didn't chase him off the food leading to him starving which sadly Is often what happens when they are born Imperfect...

Having virtually hand fed him until he was about 9 months old, I knew there would come a night when he just vanished, ousted by the Alpha's....

Rather than disperse Into the area as Is the norm, Runty just moved 15 feet up the lane and set up home behind my wheelie bin..... clever Fox...

Then a mate joined him. I'd never seen her before and don't know where she came from but I then had a bizarre situation where I had 2 fiercely territorial Fox families living just 15 feet apart. I go out there to feed them and they are waiting for their food staring at each other just 15 feet between them.... none will ever cross over to the other side...

I went out last night and as usual from behind the bins stared 4 red eyes but then, hang on, what's that snuffling noise.... ?????

Out with Mum came two cubs In their brown fluff.....

Hope to get some pics....

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:10 pm

You're a grandmother!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:16 pm

SnoozeAgain;1423258 wrote: You're a grandmother! I am, I am lol

Runty

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Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:42 pm

Seriously, Runty wouldn't be alive without your help and he certainly wouldn't have been able to mate. Now you're responsible for his entire family... granny.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 6:58 pm

SnoozeAgain;1423271 wrote: Seriously, Runty wouldn't be alive without your help and he certainly wouldn't have been able to mate. Now you're responsible for his entire family... granny.

I know but just don't tell my neighbours I am responsible for doubling the local Fox population :wah:

Thanks to my Turkish pals, I don't go short of meat for them...